Rookie umpire new top Umpire-Empire

[kstrunk]

Hey gang, First official year as a little league ump, and I'm fired up! After calling strikes and timing, what should I be working on in order to stay excited and possibly work my way up to high school?

[ricka56]

1. rule knowledge...not that you call every nit picking thing in the RB at your level, but there is no excuse for knowing them.

2. you will have coaches come out to question you...you have 10 seconds to prepare while he walks out there...use it to think of what you're going to say/not say..."coach, the touch beat the tag"...say as little as possible.

3. You say timing is something you need to work on, true. But bad timing will creep in on bangers (happens to the best of them). Work to minimize those. 

[Umpgreg]

Read the ORB

Proper mechanics

Read the ORB

Proper positioning

Read the ORB

Game management

Read the ORB

 

When you watch a game from now on, you will find yourself watching the umpires more than the players.

[kstrunk]

Good stuff. Can I get more on game management? I had an ump as a coach once who bothered me because he was in a hurry, so wouldn't give'time' when needed etc... Is this good game management?

[Umpire in Chief]

Keep that energy and enthusiasm. We'll be here to help.

 

Welcome aboard. 

[JaxRolo]

Ask us questions.

@Umpgreg what's orb?

[ricka56]

Good stuff. Can I get more on game management? I had an ump as a coach once who bothered me because he was in a hurry, so wouldn't give'time' when needed etc... Is this good game management?

ok, now this is a coach asking questions about an umpire. I don't know why the umpire wouldn't grant TIME, but I have done so when coach was just trying to be a PITA and disrupt the game. The coach in you says that the umpire was in a hurry...we umpires don't put much stock into what coaches think that umpires think about.

 

Generally, it is not good game management to not grant a coach TIME.

 

what's orb?

 

An orb is a spherical object (signifying the world). A king is handed his orb and sceptre at his coronation.

[Umpgreg]

ORB = Official Rule Book

[Thunderheads]

ORB = Official Rule Book

OBR, Greg, ...OBR .... Official Baseball Rules ...

 

Welcome aboard!!

[kstrunk]

I appreciate all the help guys. This is a tremendous resource. Are there any video helps on this site? I've kind of exhausted the youtube videos that are worth looking at, and looking for more to help with mechanics/timing. Thanks again.

[Thunderheads]

I appreciate all the help guys. This is a tremendous resource. Are there any video helps on this site? I've kind of exhausted the youtube videos that are worth looking at, and looking for more to help with mechanics/timing. Thanks again.

As you start to learn the forums, ....you'll notice that you can "search" in each forum .....so....

 

wherever you're interest lies, ...go there and then go up to the search function and type in what you're looking for.  You'll be reading for days!

[Stan W.]

welcome to the site......

[MRG9999]

welcomt to the site

[conbo61]

I appreciate all the help guys. This is a tremendous resource. Are there any video helps on this site? I've kind of exhausted the youtube videos that are worth looking at, and looking for more to help with mechanics/timing. Thanks again.

The Little League Website has some excellent Rules videos.

 

http://www.littleleague.org/learn/rules/erules2014.htm

[bleacher_bum]

Also, I've learned a lot from the "Ump Talk" section of the forum, Podcast makes it pretty neat.

[kstrunk]

Umptalk is great! Love podcasts. Thanks for the tip! 

 

May I ask a silly question - Is it unprofessional to wear plate shoes when you're on the bases? I've already dumped a bunch of money into looking the part and having the right stuff, and I'm trying to resist another $80 for base shoes, but I also don't want to shoot myself in the foot for credibility's sake. I also have black running shoes that could work, but not sure. Thanks.

[clawdad]

Umptalk is great! Love podcasts. Thanks for the tip! 

 

May I ask a silly question - Is it unprofessional to wear plate shoes when you're on the bases? I've already dumped a bunch of money into looking the part and having the right stuff, and I'm trying to resist another $80 for base shoes, but I also don't want to shoot myself in the foot for credibility's sake. I also have black running shoes that could work, but not sure. Thanks.

Yes, it is. But not only that, it will affect your mobility.  Try doing a pivot wearing clunky plate shoes .  For LL, the black running shoes should suffice right now - for the most part, only other umpires would notice anyway.. If they will take a polish, shine them up.  If not, just make sure they are clean before taking the field.  Save up some $$ and make the investment at a later time.

Just watch out on wet/muddy fields - depending on the tread your running shoes have, you won't get a lot of traction which could cause injury (or at least severe embarrassment if you slip and fall with everyone looking   )

 

Any of these would serve you well.  I have the 3n2 and have been happy with them for the last couple of years (plus, they're the least expensive).

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=UMPIRE-BASE-SHOES.

 

If possible, get to a clinic somewhere.  The best way to learn the proper mechanics, timing, etc. is by actually doing it, IMHO.

 

Welcome to the  boards.

[kstrunk]

Thanks clawdad. I bought the 3N2 plate shoes, and they're pretty comfortable. I'll try the Nike running shoes with the uniform and see what it looks like. If it's terrible I may bite the bullet and buy ump shoes. Thanks again.

[Stan W.]

I wish I knew where this came from, but it was sent to me by a fellow trainer...I prefer to give proper credit to the original source if I didn't write it but its got a lot of good advice......

 

 

Helpful Hints to Become A Better Umpire

• Umpires must be:

 

• Neatly, properly and completely dressed per association standards

• Prompt and on time

• Approachable

• Well educated in the rules (knowledge of the rules is important, but more important, is the understanding of their purpose, and the ability to interpret and enforce these principles)

• Clear in making calls

• Poised, in control and in charge on the diamond

• Consistent

• Able to display good judgment and make accurate calls

• Able to explain and clarify the rules and rule interpretations

• Confident

• Prepared

• Flexible

• Hustling all the time

• Decisive

• Able to display rapport

• Unbiased and objective

• Able to make the tough call

• Enforce the rules in an unbiased fashion

• Respectful to the sport and its participants

 

• Your uniform speaks volumes about you. If your shoes are shined, your shirt is crisp, you have your belt, and you are well groomed, you will immediately be accepted as a professional. The managers, coaches, players and fans will respect you from the time you step on to the field. If your shoes are scuffed and worn, your shirt is faded and wrinkled, you didn’t bother with a belt or a shave, you could be the most knowledgeable umpire in the sport of softball, but no one will believe it. Every close call will be questioned. It will be assumed that your mechanics, like your uniform, are sloppy.

 

 Make sure the way you dress when you step onto that field says that you are a professional umpire and that your game that day will be professional too

.

• Learn from your peers – good and bad. The things you learn from your peers you will never find in a rulebook.

 

 One aspect of the game that veterans can teach you best is game management. Game

management is simply the skill of keeping the game moving, anticipating problems, and handling those problems as they arise.

 

 

 It is often helpful to ask your peers for a critique after the game. It may sting a little, but it will benefit you in the long run. On the other hand, some things you learn from others aren’t always the things that you want to repeat, such as sloppy mechanics, poor attitude and lousy appearance.

Don’t let this get to you. All you can do in this instance is support your partner and do the best job you can with what you have. For everything you learn from a fellow umpire, you will probably learn one thing that you should not do.

 

• When we talk about professionalism, we take about a confidence and knowledge that should be carried by all umpires. This confidence isn’t arrogance; it is a confidence in knowing that when you walk onto that field, you are there to do a job as defined by your rulebook and to enforce your rules as defined by common sense and the interpretation of those rules. As an umpire, you have one of the least forgiving, least understood and most underappreciated jobs in the world.

 

 You must be prepared before you walk onto that field for anything to happen, and expect that anything to happen on every pitch. You should be as physically fit as you can at the start of the season and keep yourself in condition.

 

 

There are no excuses when you miss a play due to lack of hustle. If you and your partner both hustle, the players will do likewise and the game will be administered in a professional manner.

 

• It is a must for you to be decisive on close calls—be patient—let the play happen before you make the call This will help your judgment, and good judgment is a must in order to be a respected umpire.

 

It is important once you start working behind the plate, that you treat each pitch as if it was the deciding pitch of the game. Establish consistency of the strike zone so both the batter and pitcher know what to expect. If you miss a pitch or a play—forget it—know why you missed it and put it out of your mind. This is a must so it doesn’t affect your next call. Remember, you can never even up a missed pitch or call or you will have two mistakes, plus quickly lose respect.

 

• Correct positioning is in the simplest terms, angle and distance. Understand that having a proper angle is more important than being five feet from the play. Most umpires use two-man mechanics and it isn’t always possible to be standing directly behind the bag to make every call. Know where you need to be, get a good angle, see the play, and make the call.

•

Proper mechanics allow you as an umpire to correctly communicate with your partner, and to allow yourself as an umpire to be in the best possible position to see the play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

• Be honest. We all miss them once in a while.

• Work hard every pitch of the game. It means something to somebody.

• Cooperate with your peers, don’t compete.

• Strive to get better. We still have not called the perfect game.

• Umpire because it’s fun and because you love the game.

• Post Game Critique—Since in most cases you do not have a supervisor watching you work your games, it is important you and your partner have a post-game critique to help each other improve your umpiring skills. Always be honest with your partner and make sure he knows you want the truth from him. Learn from each other.

[Ump29]

Welcome to the site. Take the above advice and read further on the board. Be receptive to advice/criticism.

[kstrunk]

Thanks. I sure will. Proverbs 15:22 says -  Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. 

 

I'll take all the counsel I can get, for the glory of God. Thanks again.

[tjwoelfel13]

Welcome.

[kstrunk]

guys where do I find the list of abbreviations? Thanks. 

[tjwoelfel13]

Top of the Free For All forum.

[bleacher_bum]

You can also "hover" over abbreviations and get a description.