Hello :) New Ump from PA

[ofhs93]

Have filled in here and there in a pinch in the past. My oldest son is moving on to school age ball (I have always been either a manager or coach) and I want to stay connected the game. I have enjoyed the times I have filled in and I'm ready to take the next step now that my schedule is more open. I'm committed to doing this the right way after seeing a lot of the local rec level not always being very professional. Got all of my gear together (who knew how much that all cost? lol) Bought most of it from Ump-Attire (wish I knew about the premium membership beforehand lol)

 

Went to a cpl of local clinics over the winter and have been reading and watching as much web based content as I can cram in. 

I've reached out to the 2 guys that I know of locally that do scheduling in our area. The season is really *just* starting next week around here (Thanks to the 2ft of snow a few weeks back) At this point I'm just kind of waiting for some communication back

 

Looking forward to a lot of years doing something that I enjoy and maybe making a little extra money along the way.

[kylehutson]

Welcome! I really think having coached my sons' teams has made me a better umpire - I know the things that always drove me nuts when I was coaching. Have fun!

[kstrunk]

Welcome!!! I recall the exciting anticipation of my first winter/spring with joy, eagerly anticipating that first game, willing to do whatever was necessary to get on a diamond, any diamond, for any level of ball. I'd work the bases (for free) if I knew my mentor was working solo, just to get experience. 

May I encourage you to go watch college or TRAINED high school umpires, live and in person. Take note of the little things, and apply what you learn as often as you can. Beware of the guys who've 'been doing it for 30 years' but have been doing it WRONG for 30 years. 

In many things in umpiring, there is a right way and a wrong way to do things - and doing it the wrong way for 30 years doesn't make it ok, especially if you want to grow and advance. Many people will try to give you advice, and it isn't all good, so be discerning and study hard. 

Ok, I'm done now... sorry for the soap box. Have fun! 

[conbo61]

Welcome to UE.  This is one of, if not THE, best online resources.  Fantastic depth of knowledge and the willingness to share and educate in a RESPECTFUL manner is what sets this site apart.

May I ask what part of PA?

[CJK]

I think there were three things that were incredibly valuable to me as a brand new umpire.

1.  Read the rules.  Learn the rules and recite them using the rule book language.  You need to know the rules BEFORE you need to know the rules.

2.  Read the Umpire Mechanics sections of the books for your organization(s) and follow them LIKE A ROBOT.  When the book says to come inside, button hook, drop step, follow a runner, get to a spot, stop and set, give a signal, verbalize (or don't), wait, replay in your head, or whatever else, DO IT until it becomes comfortable.  Once the right moves are second nature, you'll start to notice that you're in a good position more often, and you'll understand how to make adjustments when they're necessary.

3.  Learn from other umpires.  Hang around after you're done with your games and discuss weird things that happened, or things that people argued about, or whatever else seems worth talking about.  Ask questions, get opinions, and evaluate them against the mechanics sections and the rule(s).  The more you can learn from other people's mistakes, issues, or experiences, the less you have to learn from your own.

If you hang around here, read the discussions, and ask questions when you need to, you'll be a better umpire for it.

[LRZ]

Some gratuitous advice:

Have you joined PIAA? Some chapters do a lot of training, others not so much, but it's a convenient way to have a live, face-to-face forum to bring up issues and questions about rules and mechanics.

When you watch games, introduce yourself to the umpires in the parking lot--look for the clothes rack in the rear of the car or truck--and ask if you can sit in on their pre-game.

[Ump29]

Welcome !

[ofhs93]

On 4/13/2017 at 1:37 PM, kstrunk said:

Welcome!!! I recall the exciting anticipation of my first winter/spring with joy, eagerly anticipating that first game, willing to do whatever was necessary to get on a diamond, any diamond, for any level of ball. I'd work the bases (for free) if I knew my mentor was working solo, just to get experience. 

May I encourage you to go watch college or TRAINED high school umpires, live and in person. Take note of the little things, and apply what you learn as often as you can. Beware of the guys who've 'been doing it for 30 years' but have been doing it WRONG for 30 years. 

In many things in umpiring, there is a right way and a wrong way to do things - and doing it the wrong way for 30 years doesn't make it ok, especially if you want to grow and advance. Many people will try to give you advice, and it isn't all good, so be discerning and study hard. 

Ok, I'm done now... sorry for the soap box. Have fun! 

I appreciate your thoughts and was thinking along the same lines. We went to our local AAA home opener (SWB Railriders) and I found myself watching the plate ump more than the game lol.

 

There is no doubt that part of the reason I'm getting into officiating is in response to some of the less than stellar performances we have experienced over the last few years as players and coaches.  I know it's not an easy thing to do but I also have become so frustrated by some of the locals that just camp out behind the plate and never move. Like all walks of life...there are some great umps...some decent ones...and some that you just shake your head lol

[ofhs93]

On 4/13/2017 at 1:40 PM, conbo61 said:

Welcome to UE.  This is one of, if not THE, best online resources.  Fantastic depth of knowledge and the willingness to share and educate in a RESPECTFUL manner is what sets this site apart.

May I ask what part of PA?

Northeast PA...Scranton area.

[ofhs93]

On 4/13/2017 at 2:01 PM, CJK said:

I think there were three things that were incredibly valuable to me as a brand new umpire.

1.  Read the rules.  Learn the rules and recite them using the rule book language.  You need to know the rules BEFORE you need to know the rules.

2.  Read the Umpire Mechanics sections of the books for your organization(s) and follow them LIKE A ROBOT.  When the book says to come inside, button hook, drop step, follow a runner, get to a spot, stop and set, give a signal, verbalize (or don't), wait, replay in your head, or whatever else, DO IT until it becomes comfortable.  Once the right moves are second nature, you'll start to notice that you're in a good position more often, and you'll understand how to make adjustments when they're necessary.

3.  Learn from other umpires.  Hang around after you're done with your games and discuss weird things that happened, or things that people argued about, or whatever else seems worth talking about.  Ask questions, get opinions, and evaluate them against the mechanics sections and the rule(s).  The more you can learn from other people's mistakes, issues, or experiences, the less you have to learn from your own.

If you hang around here, read the discussions, and ask questions when you need to, you'll be a better umpire for it.

GREAT advise...thank you for responding

[ofhs93]

On 4/13/2017 at 2:25 PM, LRZ said:

Some gratuitous advice:

Have you joined PIAA? Some chapters do a lot of training, others not so much, but it's a convenient way to have a live, face-to-face forum to bring up issues and questions about rules and mechanics.

When you watch games, introduce yourself to the umpires in the parking lot--look for the clothes rack in the rear of the car or truck--and ask if you can sit in on their pre-game.

More good advise

Have not yet gone the PIAA route. Plan on doing so...thought maybe I should get my feet wet with local rec/Little League the 1st year.

I would like to take the PIAA test before the end of the season though and start doing some higher level fall ball if things go well.

My work schedule won't allow me to work many middle or high school games unfortunately. Hoping to get to watch some local Legion games though once their season starts up. Those guys are pretty much all HS and college Umpires.