Wise advice I was once given great for newer umpires

[OHUMP]

For all new umpires starting the first year some good advice I was once given.  When a coach comes out to discuss a call that did not go his way always us in my judgement instead of well I saw it like this or this is what I saw.  That way it takes away the chance for coach to come back with ejectable phrases like of course you saw it that way you were out of position or other comments like that.  Make it your judgement not what you saw when talking to a coach.

[UmpJM]

OHUMP,

 

Your judgment IS what you saw.

 

JM

[maven]

Game management separates the great umpires from the rest. The crucial distinction is not between "my judgment" and "what I saw," but rather between rules and judgment.

 

If coach is asking me to explain a rule or challenging my interpretation, then we have something to talk about. If he had a different judgment on the play, then that's too bad (that doesn't mean I'm always right, just that we have nothing to discuss).

 

I'll always start by asking coach what he saw. He wants to have his say, and I'm going to let him. When he stops or repeats himself, I'll explain my ruling (rules + judgment).

 

If he has a follow-up question about the rule, then I'll answer it briefly, but I'm not holding a rules clinic. We're not arguing about judgment: that's when we can rely on the fact that there's no arguing judgment.

 

"Courteous, impartial, and firm," just as JM quotes the book. I want to get back to the game, not to start tossing people. But if they want to leave, I won't stop them.