Umpire Drills

[Guest JP837]

Hi Umpires!

My name is John and I am fifteen years old. I do mostly rec little league games, but I am trying to become a better umpire. Does anyone have any ideas as to drills/studies I can do to get better?

 

Thanks,

-JP

[umpstu]

1 hour ago, Guest JP837 said:

Hi Umpires!

My name is John and I am fifteen years old. I do mostly rec little league games, but I am trying to become a better umpire. Does anyone have any ideas as to drills/studies I can do to get better?

 

Thanks,

-JP

For your plate game get behind a dining room chair and practice going in to and out of your stance while watching a MLB game.  A great way to work on timing as well.  Remember that those umpires are MLB umpires and not everything is recommended. Practice taking your mask on and off with your left hand while holding an indicator.  Practice so your hat doesn't come off.  Guarantee a lot of umpires on here do the behind the chair drill while getting ready for the upcoming season.  Good luck to you.

[noumpere]

lie on your back.  Toss a tennis ball or rolled up pair of socks up in the air.  Practice tracking the ball/socks all the way to your hand as you catch it.

 

Have your younger brother / sister throw tennis balls at you while you practice not flinching.

 

Signals in the mirror.

 

Have mom and dead yell at you incessantly even while you do aperfectly good job on your chores.  Practice ignoring them until you finally need to eject them.

[LRZ]

Go early to local games, introduce yourself to the umpires in the parking lot, ask if you can sit in on their pre-game discussion, then watch them work. You will see techniques you like and want to incorporate, and possibly things to avoid. If you have questions after the game, ask if they would answer them.

School ball is typically under the aegis of an NFHS-affiliated statewide organization (here in PA, it is the PA Interscholastic Athletic Association, PIAA), with local or regional chapters. These chapters likely have regular meetings, where members talk about plays, rules and mechanics; the meetings may be virtual (Zoom, GotoMeeting, etc.), and you might ask to sit in even though you are probably too young to actually get certified.

If your local Little League offers training and clinics, sign up, even if it is just to audit (joining informally) the course.

[834k3r]

I watch a lot of YouTube videos and read a lot of sites.

UmpireBible.com is a site I read frequently--especially refreshing my memory about 2-man mechanics

The Umpire Classroom, Strong Beach Baseball Instruction (even though there aren't many videos and they're older), and Close Call Sports are my go-tos for YouTube channels.

[ousafe]

Find yourself a mentor. Your rec little league coordinator/UIC can probably help you. Ask them lots of questions. Have them give you lots of feedback. Be open to feedback and always say "thank you", but think for yourself and also always try to understand the "why" behind everything. Ask "why" a lot.

[HokieUmp]

Go from a guest account here to a regular, registered one.

Edit:  .... and ask questions and/or absorb things you read here.

[beerguy55]

It's not really a drill, but about developing a mindset.  Don't let coaches bully you.  There are many grown men, to compensate for certain shortcomings, who will see a 15-year old and bring out the "intimidate" playbook.   For some it's about doing what they can to win the game, and figuring they can manipulate you to their benefit...for others it's deeper, and about not being able to handle someone less than half their age having authority over them - they will pull the same bully tactics out for the drive thru kid at McDonald's, or the cashier at Walmart.

Don't let it happen.  Be confident in your call and own it.

 

And I know you're 15...but start drinking.  You'll need it.  🤪