Young umpires

[BigUmpire]

This kind of ties in to an earlier post from @maineump on "Has anyone noticed"

Bears a reprint and a great handout/post to coaches:

 

 

How to work with umpires

 

All of our youth umpires, ranging in age from 13 to 18, will be well trained, but we expect they will occasionally make rookie mistakes. We expect you to give each of these umpires the respect you would give an adult umpire, since they have exactly the same authority on the field. If they eject you, it WILL stand, and you WILL serve the mandatory 1-game suspension for an ejection, period.

Please remember once the game starts, even though they may be 14 and you may be 40, they are in charge of the field. You should never use your age to assert authority over them. If there is a more senior umpire with them and you question a call, go to the umpire that made the call, not the senior umpire. If you spot an adult umpire in the crowd, do not appeal to them for help – they cannot by rule. If the junior umpire feels the need to confer with his partner (or that lurking adult umpire), he will, but he doesn’t have to. If not, and he sticks by his or her call, live with it. If you feel an umpire is in error, you have the right to protest. If you feel an umpire is not being fair or honest, contact either your Division Coordinator or the Umpire-in-Chief immediately, and let the League handle the problem from there.

Key points to remember:

 

1. Listen for key phrases or actions:

•  "In my judgment…", "Coach, I’ve heard enough on that. Time to play baseball"
•  One hand up means you're getting too close or too agitated. Calm down.
•  Two hands up means you are about to be ejected if you keep it up. Back off, or you may be watching this game from the parking lot and hearing about the next one from your assistant coach. Remember, ejections carry a mandatory one-game suspension from the next game played. Period. No exceptions.

2. You cannot argue judgment calls, i.e. balls and strikes, safe or out, catch or no catch, fair or foul.

3. You can and should discuss any rules you think are being misinterpreted.

4. When approaching an umpire do NOT argue. You are making a sales call:

• Ask for time and make sure it has been granted by the umpire before coming out.
• Leave the rulebook back in the dugout. If it’s needed, you’ll be asked for it.
• Speak in a normal tone of voice. Call the plate umpire by name, or by "Sir†or “Ma’amâ€. If you know an umpire doesn’t mind being called “blueâ€, then use it, otherwise don’t.

4. Ask the umpire, "What did you have on that play?" or “I have a question about that playâ€.

5. Listen to what he says, and think about it for a second. If it makes sense, then say “Thanks†and walk back to the dugout. If it doesn’t, then it’s your duty as manager to discuss it further.

6. Continue the sales call by saying something like "yes, but this is what I saw." Or “OK, but did you see …†or “Are you sure that’s what the rule says? I thought it was…â€

7. Listen to his reaction and think about it.

8. If you hear “in my judgment†that means “I know I got the call right. Let’s play baseball.†Unless he’s misinterpreting a rule, the discussion should be over. If you think he has the rule wrong, keep talking, but confine your discussion to the rules.

9. If you still aren’t satisfied with a rule interpretation, you should play the game under protest if you think that’s the right thing to do. You owe it to the kids to make sure the umpires have it right.

10. Just because the umpire refuses to accept a protest because he says “it’s a judgment call†doesn’t mean he’s right. That will not affect the validity of the protest. Just make sure to mention why you are protesting before play starts, and note the point of protest and the rule you think is being misinterpreted in your book and in your letter to the Protest Committee. Use the handy Protest Form at the end of this book.

11. Then, get back to playing ball. Let it go. It’s over. If you win, no protest (but report the incident)!

[Majordave]

That is an excellent document. I plan to share it. Thanks.

[StrikeToWin]

This is great, I wish coaches were required to read this in our association.

[BigUmpire]

This is great, I wish coaches were required to read this in our association.

Ask your UIC to present it at a coaches meeting OR post it on the leagues website.

[MRG9999]

I contacted the two persons that created and asked for permission to use for our youth league.  It is now part of our coaches manual and is a must to read before coaching a game.  I can honestly say that there are currently no issues associated with the youth umpire, adult umpires and coaches.  I had a situation earlier in the year and just told the coach to read your coaches manual and get back to me after you read it.  He did, and never heard a beep out of him since.

[lawump]

The only edit I would make (if I could) would be to state that an ejection carries a mandatory minimum suspension of one-game.  Otherwise, very well written, IMHO.

[BigUmpire]

The only edit I would make (if I could) would be to state that an ejection carries a mandatory minimum suspension of one-game.  Otherwise, very well written, IMHO.

Feel free to copy and edit.

[MPLSMatt]

Shared it with my leagues!

[JaxRolo]

I like it a lot! Good job!

[bluejerred]

That's well done as is the other power points you have sent me!  I have since shared this info with other local umpires I know in my local area and it has helped them immensely.  Keep the youth umpiring program going - it's a great way for the youngsters to get managerial and people skills under their belt!

[MikeSafari]

Love it. Passed it along to my UIC and he's sent it off to the exec board to be distributed to coaches.

[BigUmpire]

To all

I am not the author of this document AND I do not remember where I got it.

BUT it is great to pass on, include in coaches manuals, parents packages and be a part of a coaches and/or umpires meeting. 

Enjoy