What Do You Want To Know?

[Haid D' Salaami]

Always my biggest question. What does everyone do for a living? How can you have a full time job with a full D1 schedule and mid week games thrown in on a Tuesday at 2pm?

I have a pretty forgiving workplace, but I think it will still prohibit me from ever seriously getting into college baseball.

I am a stay at home dad.. and I do kind of work part time at a golf store. So i can work pretty much everyday, which makes my travel great. Awesome sews for me is i get to fly to at least 5 weekends ( that the conference is paying for) I might pay for 1-2 more depending on the drive times.

[Haid D' Salaami]

@MidAmUmp

Jason,

That........was........awesome!

Fantastic explanation. Should be required reading for all college and high school umpires at a minimum. Hell, ALL umpires should read that. Best explanation I have ever read or heard.

Everyone, please commit this to memory. Make it part of your pregame with your partner(s).

Well worth the time to read.

Thank you for the effort. A great service for all of us.

Please for the love of god make this a pregame talk.. 

 

" hey if we have to get together we will do ...x..y..z.."

 

you have no idea how much this can help you in a game..

 

last season i had a D1 game in Midamump's area with a very big D1 school, we had pregames that if we needed help on anything crazy we would talk..we had a possible hit by pitch SIT.. I didnt see it or hear it, batter thought he got hit, so i stepped out from behind HP, asked down to the U1 if he had anything, he said 'NO".. head coach came out to talk... i told him i had nothing and you even saw me ask my base umpire, he has nothing either. coach was well... ok then.

 

Talk about handling dugouts, bench jockeying, rundowns.. all this might seem like it's boring, but trust me, it will help.

[Haid D' Salaami]

 

@MidAmUmp

 

Great idea for a thread and great reading.  The question I was just chatting with a few friends about the other day has to do with moving from one area to another.  Example.... one of my good friends works NCAA Div 2, 3, NAIA and JuCo he has a good network in SoCal and he should be getting close to D1, but his wife is going to be placed for her surgical residency.  And there is a very real chance of moving cross country. He was asking me about umpiring in the midwest vs socal.  What would your words/thoughts on this would be.  What trends have you seen from umpires across the country......

I would agree with @Matt - what part of the Midwest?

 

Overall I think the Midwest is maybe a little more "welcoming" than other parts of the country when it comes to quality umpires moving into the area...based on stories I've heard from quality guys with good resumes having moved from the Midwest to either coast.

 

When you move you are going to have to do several things...

1. A resume with good references. Les Wrinkles - the local dry cleaner who also assigns the hometown league isn't one of them. You want people who are known across the country, conference supervisors, etc.

2. Like it or not you're going to have to go to a clinic or something to be seen. Even a good resume with reputable guys who vouch for you will only go so far. You're going to have to prove you can do it.

3. In most areas you aren't going to immediately pick up your career where it left off in your old area. Again, the Midwest is probably more willing to place someone at the same level, but seniority and reputation have to be earned. Coaches won't know you and neither will your partners.

 

The best advice I would give anyone moving from one area to another is to sit back and study. Get to know the umpires, how they umpire, how they enforce things, how they handle situations, how they handle people. Too many guys come in on their high horse and want to show everyone "how things are done where I come from." Well...that's where you came from, not here.

 

I don't mean to piss anyone off with these stereotypical comments because a lot of it has to do with how coaches/teams behave in various areas, too...From what I've seen, east coast umpires are more "by the book" and put up with less crap. West coast guys are more laid back, but have maybe a cocky/know it all mentality. Guys in the Midwest tend to be laid back, easy to get along with (from the "Northern Nice" they get a little more red ass moving south), maybe call things less by the book and more with common sense. There are always exceptions to the rule, but these are things I've observed. If someone moves into a new area and tries to do things "their way", they won't be as successful as those who try to go with the flow.

 

This is good info JB... i would like to bet no one moves around more than my family ( we are a military family) we move about every 2-3 yrs... so I'm pretty familiar with moving around.

[noumpere]

 

 

Changing a safe/out call...

Again, there are protocols in place for what can & can't be changed and procedures for handling getting together to get a call right. I'm not a fan of simply getting together to appease the coach. If you're 100% sure, tell him that and stick to your call. Agree to disagree and move on. If you're not sure, get him off the field and call the crew together.

 

 

I'm going to add to this:

 

1) get the WHOLE crew together (well, maybe not UR, UL if you're using 6, depending on the situation)

2) give the information you have even if it's not the whole story.  Maybe one umpire knows one part and another knows another part and together that's enough for a decision (whether to confirm or overturn a call). 

[MidAmUmp]

Talk about handling dugouts, bench jockeying, rundowns.. all this might seem like it's boring, but trust me, it will help.

I could write a book on handling dugouts...

 

I think handling dugouts/bench jockeying are at least equal responsibility of the plate and base umpire(s), if not 75% base umpire(s) and 25% plate umpire. Far too many guys are afraid, unaware or obtuse when it comes to dealing with dugouts and bench jockeying. I think they are afraid of being accused of having rabbit ears. I say to hell with that. Sometimes I think masks come with blinders and noise canceling headphones. You are in charge of the entire game. The game doesn't end at the white lines.

 

This is a true story - I was working a college game and the plate umpire punched out a batter on a great borderline pitch. The kid goes back to the 3rd base dugout and is blasting the plate guy...more than enough to be ejected...slamming his bat and helmet, cussing, yelling, etc. I was at 1st base and came walking into the infield grass toward the 3rd base dugout because I knew the kid was going to be ejected and I was the crew chief. I'm not even paying attention to anything else. I'm just staring at the kid and walking directly at him. The next thing I know the pitcher is throwing the next pitch. We had a conversation after that game...

 

As a plate umpire, I'm always listening to the dugouts. You must know when to ignore, acknowledge, warn and eject. This is where "BALL! That's out." works really well. By telling the dugout where you have a borderline pitch before they even ask ends any conversation. They may not agree, but they don't have much to say when they know where you have it. Ignore the general comments - that's a good pitch, throw it there again, things like that. Acknowledge when they are saying things on every pitch, or when things escalate volume wise or when I hear my name...they're letting me know they want my attention and my attention they shall get. We should know when to warn...personal comments, belligerent comments, etc. Eject after you've warned.

 

As the base umpire, I'm usually next to the 1st or 3rd base coach. I can get them to take care of the dugout. I can see into the dugout and know who's popping off, so I'm always looking for suspects. Yes, I want the plate umpire to take care of his own business, but I want to be able to walk into the plate guy and say #44 is the one popping off.

 

Bench jockeying has to be shut down as soon as it starts. I'm proactive with this vs. being reactive. During a trip to the mound or pitching change, I'm listening to the opposing dugout. Anything directed at the pitcher or other team, I'm shutting down immediately.

 

I've said it and heard it said many times - there are umpires who make things happen, umpires who watch things happen, and umpires who wonder what happened. Be the guy who makes things happen. You are in charge so take charge.

[MPLSUMP]

Thanks MidAmUmp! This kind of stuff is invaluable. Most guys don't even realize how important this info can be. The bench jockeying is something, as a newer college ump, that I haven't had to deal with yet. Great stuff!

[Majordave]

I hope everyone is paying attention. I've heard some of this at the various clinics but there is something about seeing it in writing and the way Jason writes. It's solid gold advice. I agree 100% with everything he's saying.

Copy and paste these words of wisdom and start an umpire notebook. Someday you may be able to use it for your own career or in training a new umpire or two.

Thanks again Jason. You are a fantastic writer.

[grayhawk]

I think they are afraid of being accused of having rabbit ears.

 

 

I think this is one of the things that pisses me off as much as anything on the field.  Players or coaches make comments that are clearly meant to be heard by the umpire, but then pull out this "rabbit ears" BS when they get called on it.  There's a huge difference between that, and an umpire going out of his way to listen in on conversations that were never meant to be heard.

[Replacematt]

2. Like it or not you're going to have to go to a clinic or something to be seen. Even a good resume with reputable guys who vouch for you will only go so far. You're going to have to prove you can do it.

And this doesn't have to wait until the move. If you can get to Springfield or Cedar Rapids or the like before you move, and start networking with guys from your soon-to-be home, you may get a year ahead of where you would otherwise be.

[MidAmUmp]

I hope everyone is paying attention. I've heard some of this at the various clinics but there is something about seeing it in writing and the way Jason writes. It's solid gold advice. I agree 100% with everything he's saying.

Copy and paste these words of wisdom and start an umpire notebook. Someday you may be able to use it for your own career or in training a new umpire or two.

Thanks again Jason. You are a fantastic writer.

I keep giving away all my stuff for free no one will come to our clinics!!!!

[Majordave]

I think it enhances your reputation as a legitimate and very accomplished trainer of umpires. The way I heard what you wrote was piecemeal from different guys (Burleson, Henrichs, Coskey, Bruns, Evans, etc.). Nothing as succinct and coherent as what you wrote.

[JaxRolo]

. Nothing as succinct and coherent as what you wrote.

Sidebar

English please!

[Majordave]

@JaxRolo

Translation: Short and to the point.

How's that Papi?

[JaxRolo]

@JaxRolo

Translation: Short and to the point.

How's that Papi?

gracias amigo

[KenBAZ]

Mid am ump... how about changing a call.. maybe a fair to foul or safe to out on a off the bag type play?... talk us through one of those.

Well...since you didn't start it, I guess I will.

 

The rule book & CCA manual (and other manuals depending on your level) discuss changing calls.

 

I would simply say this about fair/foul: If you aren't sure - say you get blocked out by a fielder at the last second (this shouldn't be happening very often), call it fair. Even though the rule book allows us to overturn a foul to fair and place runners, it's a hell of a lot easier to call it foul, put a strike on the board and return everyone to their TOP base if necessary. I'd rather deal with that argument than changing foul to fair.

 

Changing a safe/out call...

Again, there are protocols in place for what can & can't be changed and procedures for handling getting together to get a call right. I'm not a fan of simply getting together to appease the coach. If you're 100% sure, tell him that and stick to your call. Agree to disagree and move on. If you're not sure, get him off the field and call the crew together. Never, ever, ever, never, ever just turn and ask your partner what he has. You don't know what he was watching. You need to get together when/where no one else can hear your conversation. What I personally do when we get together is the calling umpire tells the crew what he has - even if it's pretty obvious what he has. Then ask if anyone else has any info that can overturn the call. It doesn't matter if you are a 30 year veteran or you're working your first game at that level, if you have info you'd better give it, and you'd better be willing to accept the info given. Then the Crew Chief discusses how to go from there (either changing the call and dealing with the other coach, or sticking with the call and how we're handling that coach). The calling umpire announces/signals the decision of the crew. If the call is being changed the calling umpire and crew chief need to discuss it with the opposing coach. If you are sticking with the call, simply confirm your call and go back to your positions. If that coach wants to argue, you should have already told him he can't come back out and if so he'll be ejected...right  . So he knows if he comes out he's getting run. You just turn to him and tell him, "Jim, you can't come back out here. If you do you'll be ejected." Ball's in his court and you do what you have to do.

 

I may take some heat for this, and it goes against protocols in place, but I really feel if you know 250% your partner missed it & THE DUGOUT OR COACH IS ON FIRE, you need to waive off the coach and get in there and at least tell your partner what you saw. Yes, the coach needs to stay under control and also control his team, but in a big situation that's not likely to happen if a call is OBVIOUSLY missed. Just like I said about fair/foul...this shouldn't be happening very often. I have never had to do this in my entire career. However, if I see the ball on the ground or something extremely obvious that my partner has missed and the coach or participants are in jeopardy of being ejected, I'm going to get in there and try to save them. I say that because what will you do if you miss one that bad, eject someone, then get together and change the call? You're going to have to do some explaining.

Is there some way to preserve this post so we can all access it later and refer other umpires to it easily?

[Umpire in Chief]

Im going to pin the topic to the top.

[Haid D' Salaami]

Jason is a good writer.. I'm short and sweet...

[Replacematt]

I'm short and sweet...

 

There's a softball if I ever saw one.

[Out&UglyToo]

About moving up a level - regardless of age - Work as many games as you can, especially in 2 or 3 seasons in a row. Your mechanics will improve, your pregame meeting will be focused, you'll know when to "not see" a balk when the defensive team is down 20 runs in the (hopefully) last inning, your communication skills with other umps will be praised, AND YOU WILL GET SEEN. One other thing - get an economy car! You'll be putting miles on it.

 

The other umps suggesting clinics are right - that's where we get to work on mechanics the most. You're not likely to learn advanced stuff on your own - take the following situation:

 

BU at B, Runner on first, ball three to batter. Runner steals, pitch is caught, catcher throws down to 2B, who applies a tag. BU's eyes saw out, BUT HE DOES NOT CALL AN OUT YET.

BU says "Hold on, gentlemen!", turns to PU, asks, "Hey Joe - was that pitch a ball or a strike?"

 

If PU answers "That was strike 1", BU calls R1 out on the tag.

 

If PU answers, "That was ball four", BU says, "Lucky dude, you're on second base." Bu moves to C, as Batter-runner walks to first.

 

I overheard this at a clinic. I learned the mechanic for a double-play at a clinic, and used it the nest game, with an adjustment to call my first triple play. Could not have done it, nor have looked as good as I did doing it without that clinic the day before.

 

The other big move up is going to pro school. It's competetive, guys want to go to the major leagues. Everything and anything counts, even the clothes you wear "Off duty" in the lounge. You're all business at pro school. Attending pro school more than once is not looked down upon.

[MidAmUmp]

 

The other umps suggesting clinics are right - that's where we get to work on mechanics the most. You're not likely to learn advanced stuff on your own - take the following situation:

 

BU at B, Runner on first, ball three to batter. Runner steals, pitch is caught, catcher throws down to 2B, who applies a tag. BU's eyes saw out, BUT HE DOES NOT CALL AN OUT YET.

BU says "Hold on, gentlemen!", turns to PU, asks, "Hey Joe - was that pitch a ball or a strike?"

 

If PU answers "That was strike 1", BU calls R1 out on the tag.

 

If PU answers, "That was ball four", BU says, "Lucky dude, you're on second base." Bu moves to C, as Batter-runner walks to first.

 

I overheard this at a clinic. 

 

A person who received compensation for educating other umpires really offered this as advice??? 

[Magic]

The other umps suggesting clinics are right - that's where we get to work on mechanics the most. You're not likely to learn advanced stuff on your own - take the following situation:

BU at B, Runner on first, ball three to batter. Runner steals, pitch is caught, catcher throws down to 2B, who applies a tag. BU's eyes saw out, BUT HE DOES NOT CALL AN OUT YET.

BU says "Hold on, gentlemen!", turns to PU, asks, "Hey Joe - was that pitch a ball or a strike?"

If PU answers "That was strike 1", BU calls R1 out on the tag.

If PU answers, "That was ball four", BU says, "Lucky dude, you're on second base." Bu moves to C, as Batter-runner walks to first.

I overheard this at a clinic.

A person who received compensation for educating other umpires really offered this as advice???

I was thinking the same thing.

[Haid D' Salaami]

About moving up a level - regardless of age - Work as many games as you can, especially in 2 or 3 seasons in a row. Your mechanics will improve, your pregame meeting will be focused, you'll know when to "not see" a balk when the defensive team is down 20 runs in the (hopefully) last inning, your communication skills with other umps will be praised, AND YOU WILL GET SEEN. One other thing - get an economy car! You'll be putting miles on it.

 

The other umps suggesting clinics are right - that's where we get to work on mechanics the most. You're not likely to learn advanced stuff on your own - take the following situation:

 

BU at B, Runner on first, ball three to batter. Runner steals, pitch is caught, catcher throws down to 2B, who applies a tag. BU's eyes saw out, BUT HE DOES NOT CALL AN OUT YET.

BU says "Hold on, gentlemen!", turns to PU, asks, "Hey Joe - was that pitch a ball or a strike?"

 

If PU answers "That was strike 1", BU calls R1 out on the tag.

 

If PU answers, "That was ball four", BU says, "Lucky dude, you're on second base." Bu moves to C, as Batter-runner walks to first.

 

I overheard this at a clinic. I learned the mechanic for a double-play at a clinic, and used it the nest game, with an adjustment to call my first triple play. Could not have done it, nor have looked as good as I did doing it without that clinic the day before.

 

The other big move up is going to pro school. It's competetive, guys want to go to the major leagues. Everything and anything counts, even the clothes you wear "Off duty" in the lounge. You're all business at pro school. Attending pro school more than once is not looked down upon.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT EVER DO THIS IN A GAME... EVER... NOT NEXT WEEK NOT NEXT YEAR. Who ever told you this needs to attend the Midamerican umpire clinic to be taught the right way.

 

Om my gosh, my blood pressure is going through the roof.

[Haid D' Salaami]

And please tell me what Clinic you "overheard this at" and what was that guys training? and who taught him?

[Magic]

About moving up a level - regardless of age - Work as many games as you can, especially in 2 or 3 seasons in a row. Your mechanics will improve, your pregame meeting will be focused, you'll know when to "not see" a balk when the defensive team is down 20 runs in the (hopefully) last inning, your communication skills with other umps will be praised, AND YOU WILL GET SEEN. One other thing - get an economy car! You'll be putting miles on it.

The other umps suggesting clinics are right - that's where we get to work on mechanics the most. You're not likely to learn advanced stuff on your own - take the following situation:

BU at B, Runner on first, ball three to batter. Runner steals, pitch is caught, catcher throws down to 2B, who applies a tag. BU's eyes saw out, BUT HE DOES NOT CALL AN OUT YET.

BU says "Hold on, gentlemen!", turns to PU, asks, "Hey Joe - was that pitch a ball or a strike?"

If PU answers "That was strike 1", BU calls R1 out on the tag.

If PU answers, "That was ball four", BU says, "Lucky dude, you're on second base." Bu moves to C, as Batter-runner walks to first.

I overheard this at a clinic. I learned the mechanic for a double-play at a clinic, and used it the nest game, with an adjustment to call my first triple play. Could not have done it, nor have looked as good as I did doing it without that clinic the day before.

The other big move up is going to pro school. It's competetive, guys want to go to the major leagues. Everything and anything counts, even the clothes you wear "Off duty" in the lounge. You're all business at pro school. Attending pro school more than once is not looked down upon.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT EVER DO THIS IN A GAME... EVER... NOT NEXT WEEK NOT NEXT YEAR. Who ever told you this needs to attend the Midamerican umpire clinic to be taught the right way.

Om my gosh, my blood pressure is going through the roof.

I am not an expert by any means but I can guarantee you, I will never do that in any game I umpire

[Richvee]

OK. I'll bite. The correct mechanic would be to make the call? 3-1 pitch, runner goes, check swing, R1 out stealing, pitch called ball 4. R1 walks off base after being called out. 

Ruling?

All codes agree?