What are you going to do?

[Thunderheads]

Ok, ...for most of us, ...it's a long winter ....  I know, So Cal guys, I know, ...your HS season is right around the corner, but for most of us, not so much ..........

 

What are YOU going to do to make yourself a better umpire for 2014?

[ricka56]

• Better fitness - exercise/diet
• Use new/improved plate stance that I worked on this fall.
• Be more aware of my on-field presentation.

[grayhawk]

I will be attending 3 clinics:

 

IBOA 2 Man clinic this weekend

HS Association 2 man clinic in late January

HS Association 3 man clinic in early February

I will also be instructing at 1 or more LL clinics in the area if the schedule allows

[VAUmp]

I'd love to attend a clinic, but there don't seem to be any in my area.  I also read the case book/ rule book app (OBR and NFHS) on my phone for about 20 minutes each night.  If the baby is asleep, I can sometimes get my wife to quiz me, but that doesn't always happen.  

[Specks]

I've signed up for 2 clinics, reading the CCA Manual to learn 3-Man and working some 3 man with partners that know it (which means I jump on a 2 man crew and work for free). Trying to get in better shape.

[scrounge]

hang out here, pretty much

[mstaylor]

Guys in chat are aware of this but our HS group is building an indoor facility to train our officials. We will have two cages with an option of three. We will have two mounds for live pitching and an infield for mechanics. Also we will have a classroom for about thirty umpires. I am looking forward to some serious off season training. 

[semper_fi_72]

I can't get any better, so I will just keep trying to reach Game 300 for 2014 before the year ends. 

I have no desire to work any higher levels or impress anyone to move up.

Happy with the games and income I get now.

[Thunderheads]

I can't get any better, so I will just keep trying to reach Game 300 for 2014 before the year ends. 

I have no desire to work any higher levels or impress anyone to move up.

Happy with the games and income I get now.

I see you're using a 'not worthy' smiley, but ..... you are joking around right?

[grayhawk]

Guys in chat are aware of this but our HS group is building an indoor facility to train our officials. We will have two cages with an option of three. We will have two mounds for live pitching and an infield for mechanics. Also we will have a classroom for about thirty umpires. I am looking forward to some serious off season training. 

 

That's really cool!  Kind of like an umpire training club.  If you can get higher level guys to be there for "office hours" and an online schedule to sign up for lessons, I could see it being really busy.  There WILL be at least a fridge to store beers for the debriefings, right?

 

Umpires' wives in the greater Baltimore area are going to be pissed!

[Pete Peterson Sr]

Continuing my weight loss. I dropped about 30 pounds this year, and boy did it make a difference. I still need to lose about 20 more; 40 according to my doctor, lol...

[BT_Blue]

Guys in chat are aware of this but our HS group is building an indoor facility to train our officials. We will have two cages with an option of three. We will have two mounds for live pitching and an infield for mechanics. Also we will have a classroom for about thirty umpires. I am looking forward to some serious off season training.

 

That's really cool!  Kind of like an umpire training club.  If you can get higher level guys to be there for "office hours" and an online schedule to sign up for lessons, I could see it being really busy.  There WILL be at least a fridge to store beers for the debriefings, right?

 

Umpires' wives in the greater Baltimore area are going to be pissed!

Sir, the fridge will be stocked with "sodas" and such. LOL

[mstaylor]

Continuing my weight loss. I dropped about 30 pounds this year, and boy did it make a difference. I still need to lose about 20 more; 40 according to my doctor, lol...

Actually a kitchenette. 

[th3]

Rulebooks in the john

[Stan W.]

My off season plan is kind of my "every year" new years resolutions.....

 

Fitness.......I  cant get younger, but there is always room for better fitness....like Pete, Ive got a good jump on it this year.....

 

I will attend at least 2 clinics....

 

and I'm currently studying/planning/practicing for my 6 week HS certification class that we have been teaching for the past 10 years or so......starts in January.....Ive never failed to learn from my students...

[hckyosgood30]

I love this question.  Because I constantly try to get better.  My brain is very goal oriented, and allows me clarity and the ability to see where I've came from and going, while still enjoying the trip.  I do these goals and strive to better myself for the brotherhood and for my partners, not just my own personal self interests.  Even if no one is watching or I seemingly can't go up another level.  Before my games I always read the Aristotle  quote "you are what you repeatedly do, therefor excellence is not an act but a habit." 

 

So I keep a game journal to constantly learn.  What worked, good, bad, indifferent. Also, every new year I reevaluate my gamely, monthly, seasonal and annual goals for umpiring.  I then will put out a plan of action to define a path.

 

Before 2014 Season - I will have gone to 2 clinics, one ran by D1 guys and Coordinators and one by MLB.  I will continue to lose weight (10-15 max).  Its now more of a lifestyle choice rather then "diet".  And with an added emphasis on stretching.  I will try to better my NCAA test score of 92% in 2013.  I will strive to continue to grow my professional network to try to get new opportunities not previously afforded to me.  I will continue on the things that worked for me in 2012 & 2013.  These are the wholistic steps I take to better myself to get to my goals. 

[Jglopez7]

Real the college manual and rule book. I'm 175 and should be at 160. Attend about 2 clinics hopefully before the season starts. I will lead the umpire clinic for plate mechanics for the little league (i need to work on the small crucial things).

Lastly, spend all my officiating money on SWMBO and my girls for Christmas of course hahaha.

[Aging_Arbiter]

 

Guys in chat are aware of this but our HS group is building an indoor facility to train our officials. We will have two cages with an option of three. We will have two mounds for live pitching and an infield for mechanics. Also we will have a classroom for about thirty umpires. I am looking forward to some serious off season training. 

 

That's really cool!  Kind of like an umpire training club.  If you can get higher level guys to be there for "office hours" and an online schedule to sign up for lessons, I could see it being really busy.  There WILL be at least a fridge to store beers for the debriefings, right?

 

Umpires' wives in the greater Baltimore area are going to be pissed!

 

 

The first rule about an umpire training club is, you don't talk about an umpire training club.

[Rulekeep]

Stop getting mad at everything and stop talking to everyone.

My strike zone needs to come up a little.

Correct the enormous list of things my umpire overlord has issues with.

[Jglopez7]

Got all my gear prepared. Been a great Sunday organizing my bag, cleaning my shoes, double checking everything. First game February13 Varsity at the plate! WV Platinum CP and WV Pro Gold shins with Team Wendy retro fit

[JaxRolo]

Got all my gear prepared. Been a great Sunday organizing my bag, cleaning my shoes, double checking everything. First game February13 Varsity at the plate! WV Platinum CP and WV Pro Gold shins with Team Wendy retro fit

 

Showoff!!!!

[CentralOhioUmp30]

First game won't be until March 24. First meeting is a week from Monday, so that's really when I get into "umpire prep" mode.

I'm 5'10, 185, so I'd like to get down to about 170 by then. Really need to work hard on this.

Have had a lot of trouble with my back (I'm only 24), so I need to do something to strengthen it.

I'll spend 20-30 minutes each day looking over the rule and case books.

So really three things I want to take care of and I have two months to get to it.

[Trakes2]

I can't get any better, so I will just keep trying to reach Game 300 for 2014 before the year ends. 

I have no desire to work any higher levels or impress anyone to move up.

Happy with the games and income I get now.

Having never have seen you umpire, I assure you that there is always room to improve....Doesn't matter who you are!

 

That being said if you are as good as you think you are  and you have no room to improve...then why post on a thread asking..."What are you going to do to improve in 2014?"    

[spiritump]

I can't get any better, so I will just keep trying to reach Game 300 for 2014 before the year ends. 

I have no desire to work any higher levels or impress anyone to move up.

Happy with the games and income I get now.

 

if you don;t try to get better--you'll get worse--the worse you get--the less games you get--the less gsmes you get--the less income--then not happy with income--then when you ask for help to get better ????

[mstaylor]

First game won't be until March 24. First meeting is a week from Monday, so that's really when I get into "umpire prep" mode.

I'm 5'10, 185, so I'd like to get down to about 170 by then. Really need to work hard on this.

Have had a lot of trouble with my back (I'm only 24), so I need to do something to strengthen it.

I'll spend 20-30 minutes each day looking over the rule and case books.

So really three things I want to take care of and I have two months to get to it.

Stretch your back but build your abs. Your abdominal muscles support your back but most miss this tidbit.