Lets Try This!

[Dodgers47]

Hello everyone! I just discovered UE and have been surprised with the site. Everyone seems to be helpful and friendly.

I'm fairly young and I have been thinking lately about my future. I have always been intrigued with the game of baseball, and while I still play it...I'm beginning to get more involved with the "umpiring" side of things.

I have never called a game in my life..so I thought this would be a great place to get some tips and tricks. I'm thinking about starting as an Umpire fairly soon, but I'm not really sure how to start. This is something that I'm really serious about, and I don't see it as an activity to "pass the time". I'd love to get to a professional level..so I came to ask you guys how to start?

Where should I begin, and what is necessary to become an umpire?

I have a ton of questions..so if you could give me any answer that would be great!

I have a passion for baseball..and would do anything in order to succeed in it. I appreciate your help and support. Thanks!

[grayhawk]

I'm sure you will get lots of great ideas, and much of it will depend on the region of the country that you live.  I was very fortunate that I was able to get my start umpiring Little League when my son was playing.  The area that I live in has excellent training for LL umpires, and I was taught professional mechanics from the very beginning.

 

No matter how you start, find out about local clinics put on by people that know what they are doing.  If you let us know where you live, I would guess that someone on this site is from there and can direct you accordingly.

 

Find a mentor, if possible.  Someone you can go watch and answer your questions afterward, and who will come watch you and give you feedback.

 

Learn the rules.  I mean, REALLY learn the rules!  As an umpire, the rules are your first and last defense against any and all coaches that want every call to go their way.  As a player, you THINK you know the rules.  You don't.  The sooner you accept this, the sooner you can begin learning them for real.

 

Get yourself some gear.  If you are committed to this, get the best gear you can possibly afford.  Mask, chest protector, shin guards, shoes, caps, pants, shirts, cup, etc.  Some associations have members donate their used stuff to be given to new umpires.  You'll still have to make at least a small investment.  

 

Get out there and work games.  There is no substitute for experience.  Again, depending on where you live, you may start out working coach pitch games, or games where kids are just starting to pitch.  Little League, Pony, other Rec ball - anything you can get your hands on.  It's great to start out working kiddie ball because they do all kinds of weird and unexpected things on the field.  It keeps you on your toes!  

[Dodgers47]

Thank you for the comments ..my local Little League is always looking for volunteers to umpire some games..so I think that's the way to start. I live here in Southern California...I assume location is important. Thanks anyways.

[grayhawk]

Where in SoCal?

[Dodgers47]

In Ventura County

[kylehutson]

[...]

If you are committed to this, get the best gear you can possibly afford.  Mask, chest protector, shin guards, shoes, caps, pants, shirts, cup, etc.  Some associations have members donate their used stuff to be given to new umpires.  You'll still have to make at least a small investment.  

[...]

I wish I had found this site before buying my own equipment. Not that I made any serious mistakes but I would have chosen slightly differently. If you check out the Equipment section and then the Buy-Sell-Trade section, you can get a pretty good idea of what works well and maybe even get a deal on some of it.

 

...and everything else grayhawk said was pretty spot-on, too.

[Dodgers47]

[...]

If you are committed to this, get the best gear you can possibly afford.  Mask, chest protector, shin guards, shoes, caps, pants, shirts, cup, etc.  Some associations have members donate their used stuff to be given to new umpires.  You'll still have to make at least a small investment.  

[...]

I wish I had found this site before buying my own equipment. Not that I made any serious mistakes but I would have chosen slightly differently. If you check out the Equipment section and then the Buy-Sell-Trade section, you can get a pretty good idea of what works well and maybe even get a deal on some of it.

 

...and everything else grayhawk said was pretty spot-on, too.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll definitely check it out now.

[ElkOil]

I'd recommend attending some training and/or clinics so you can learn mechanics.  Going into it cold may be like hitting a brick wall -- especially little league where you'll be eaten alive by coaches and parents who "smell blood in the water" when a young, inexperienced umpire is on the field.  I second (or third?) @grayhawk's suggestion of finding a mentor.  

 

A word about professional umpiring.  Regardless of the level of ball you call, and whether or not you get paid or volunteer, you should strive to be professional.  You don't have to earn a dime to be a pro.  Professionalism is a demeanor and an attitude.  It's about how you conduct yourself and interact with players, parents and coaches.  It has nothing to do with money.

 

Now... if you want to be a career umpire, that's another thing entirely.  You'll have to attend one of the MLB-sanctioned schools for that.  But first things first and get yourself out on a ball field and call some games!  

[kstrunk]

Agree with all, and will add that you won't know if you REALLY want to do this until you've done it for a while. 

 

Also, there are some good videos on Youtube, but you must be careful, because there are many bad ones too. Being professional in umpiring requires attention to detail and a commitment to excellence, even on the little things. Be a student of the trade, study, a lot, all the time, then practice, then study more, seek criticism from folks who know what's up. 

 

Grayhawk's exhortation to 'KNOW THE RULES'  is echoed by all, but honestly, there are tons of umpires who DON'T know the rules, yet think they do. Know what you don't know and learn. I've had 'know it all' umpires giving me advice only to find out that they were dead wrong! So again... study, and verify what you learn here on U-E. 

 

And have fun!!!! 

[goody14]

Some great things mentioned here already. Some of my thoughts:

 

• Take notes, ask questions, study answers, repeat. All will make mistakes just make sure you are a guy who only makes a mistake once
• Be receptive to feedback. Those who aren't stop receiving it (other umps won't help a "yeah, but" guy). Then they magically never get better
• Watch other umpires. Drives my wife crazy but half the time now when watching a game I am commenting on the umps
• Take all the games you can. While you are at it volunteer to do the plate
• Fake it until you make it. Dress the part, look the part, act the part and eventually all else will catch up. The league by my house let's the young guys wear shorts to umpire. When I help him out for a game and come dressed in full uniform, the coaches automatically give me more respect even though they don't know me
• Above all else - have fun with it. No one like to be around or work with the guy who is there to grab his paycheck and then speed off into the sunset. If you don't enjoy the process after awhile, find a hobby that you do enjoy.