The Best Way to Get Evaluations

[JSam21]

I've been umpiring since 1999 and in the early 2000s I left umpiring when I was offered a coaching job. When I left I was getting some low level college assignments. This summer I got back into umpiring and am looking to get back to, and advance past, the level I was working previously. I've been studying my butt off and watching videos on new mechanics. I was just wondering how you guys went about asking for evaluations from your assigning associations? Do you just shoot off a email asking or have you had friends who umpire come out and give you notes?

[GPblue]

3 hours ago, JSam21 said:

I've been umpiring since 1999 and in the early 2000s I left umpiring when I was offered a coaching job. When I left I was getting some low level college assignments. This summer I got back into umpiring and am looking to get back to, and advance past, the level I was working previously. I've been studying my butt off and watching videos on new mechanics. I was just wondering how you guys went about asking for evaluations from your assigning associations? Do you just shoot off a email asking or have you had friends who umpire come out and give you notes?

I think this is a two fold approach.  I'd say to start, work with more senior guys and see if they will give you a fair assessment when they work with you.  It's hard of course because they have a job to do, but most senior guys will see in the field things you can improve upon when you are the PU.

Second,  I would recommend getting to a clinic.  From my experience the ones running the clinics are always interested in helping guys advance their careers that express interest, and be open to evaluations.   

[JSam21]

I am planning on going to the Mid-American Clinic next year as I couldn't get off of work in for this years. I make it a point to ask everyone I work with if they see anything that I can work on. Most of the time I just get a "everything looks good" from them. It is hard to get better that way.

[BT_Blue]

Don't let them get away with that answer. Press for more.

But the answer to your question is "all the above." Contact your assigner and ask about being watched. Talk to your partners. Ask friends to come out and watch. Go to camps and clinics.

There is no one size fits all for this.

[GPblue]

45 minutes ago, JSam21 said:

I am planning on going to the Mid-American Clinic next year as I couldn't get off of work in for this years. I make it a point to ask everyone I work with if they see anything that I can work on. Most of the time I just get a "everything looks good" from them. It is hard to get better that way.

Just to piggy back off that.  You will unfortunately mostly get "looks good" from older guys who just do summer ball, because they aren't out there to get better.  I am not saying that is ALWAYS the case, but you will start to learn who will give you an honest opinion.  

If you think you are to a point of getting comfortable I always say things like "Did I have good positioning on that wacker?" or "how'd my mechanics look on that strike three swinging, ball in the dirt"

Most guys are just running with their cash home, or to the bar. So just asking "got anything for me" usually gets a no response.

[MadMax]

It is rather difficult to expect effective evaluation and feedback from an unprepared, impromptu "evaluator" – in this case, your/a partner. He has his own game to focus on, likely has a limited memory that involves various cues and events that don't involve you directly, and as @GPblue said most are unintentionally disinterested in putting the time into a purposeful post-game dialog.

You are going to get the most effective review and criticism from a 3rd Party, primed evaluator. "Primed" means they know and are prepared to be evaluating _you_. I caution you on seeking friends to do so, because outwardly, a friend doesn't want to be harsh on you. In my experience, I was critically evaluated by fellow umpires at CDP, MLBU Evaluation Camps, and the CBUA Showcase in Iowa. 

At CDP (I do acknowledge the context), I was befriended by a group of guys (the Ghosts) who, while becoming lifelong friends with, had no qualms on bustin' my chops and taking me down a peg. So too, I would have the occasional veteran A, AA or NCAA umpire, there for a vacation week or at the invite of a team, proffer to me his own critique on what he saw of my performance. These discussions and learning moments would take place, without formality or familiarity, in the Tent or in Umpire Alley during down times. A running theme emerges from these instances and sessions, expressed often by these colleagues – these guys are sharing their observations and critiques because I demonstrate the enthusiasm, charisma, effort (hustle) and tools to potentially use and process their advice.

At MLBU Evaluation Camp I got noticed and sized up within the first five minutes of being there. Umpire trainers observed us during drills, exercises and situational run-throughs. Some guys had potential, others didn't, still others were technically sound but beyond the point of improvement, while a scant few were scrutinized and were worked with on a more focused, individual basis – to what ends, I'm not certain, but can only speak to my experience. I'm now on this path of opportunities because of those mentoring moments.

The most thorough evaluations I received (thus far) came from @MidAmUmp and his colleagues at CBUA Showcase. This is what I mean by "primed" – those experienced umpires were there not to observe a baseball game, and happen to notice the umpires, but to critique the umpires and how they conducted themselves in a baseball game. There's a difference in preparation and approach. It was also beneficial to receive the feedback of three different evaluators, because wouldn't you know it, there were minor details that were approved by two but irked by one, or vice-versa. Anything that drew the alert of all three was something I had to critically and consciously attend to.

[Replacematt]

Also, don't be afraid to ask specific questions before the game and after. I'll often tell my partners that I feel that I have an issue with x, and that's something I want to work on. Then after the game, I ask them what they thought of that. This may be difficult if you don't have an x, or a y or z, but if you do, it's a place to start.

The other thing is to reach out to guys in your association that you trust and with whom you have a rapport. We do it all the time in ours...we'll ask a guy if he's around the area at a given time and if he'd be willing to stop by for a couple of innings. Most of us that share the passion for this are more than willing to take 30 minutes to observe and find our replacements (I mean, help others get better.)

[NCAAump2]

I would agree with most of what has been said here so far.  Camps/Clinics are probably the best way to get evaluated. I also would try not to have friends evaluate you, as they might be as honest and direct as someone less familiar to you.  The most important thing I think is for you to come up with a plan...where you are now in your career, where you want to be, and how you plan to get there.   Once you can answer those questions, it will be easier to help you as far as trying to find the best way to help you reach your ultimate goals.

[spiritump]

Find a camp run by a college assigner.  Go there and ask the assigner if you are good enough to work games for him and if not what do you have to work on.  You said you wanted to get back to the level you worked before , that was college so why not go back to that type of camp.  Best of luck to you