New to Umpiring

[UmpIowa]

I was an avid baseball player through college. I have decided after a few years away from the game that I want to get involved again. I would really like to become an umpire. I have registered with my state high school athletic association and contacted the local aau. Any and all help, information, resources, etc you all could have would be great. I would really like to find a partner to show me the ropes so to speak. I am in the Cedar Rapids area of Iowa.

[txump81]

Find your local youth league and start learning. Watch some games and try to figure out which umpires really care and want to improve. Those umpires are the ones that most likely will help you. Go to any and every game you can and start watching the umpires, not the game. Get a hold of a rule book and begin reading. Ask questions and above all, keep an open mind and listen to what the good experienced umpires have to offer.

[wek29]

Bookmark this site...:rolleyes:

[archangel]

If you are interested in school ball- JV and below, for next season, get on the state org site you registered with.

Look for baseball instructors listed near you. Find out when classes start (probably near year end/jan/feb).

[carolinablue]

It will also help that if when you were playing ball in college you also took some psychology classes.

[Mr Umpire]

FORGET EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW ABOUT THE GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are serious about it and want to learn as much as possible, you will find out you knew nothing about the rules of a game you may have played most of your life. And, why umpires make calls you didn't understand while playing.

[JaxRolo]

My wife is from cedar rapids. But we live in Florida. Sorry. lol

My advice:

Read the rules book. Over and over and over.

Get training. Attend clinics and or camps. I went to a 4 day camp this year and it did me a world of good.

Good luck

[mstaylor]

I constantly hear from players and coaches that start umpiring how amazing it is what we have to know and how many different levels we have to think. When you start working games keep an open mind and assume you know nothing. Then learn every game. Come here and ask questions, we will help as much as possible. Having played you will at least be aware what the players are trying to do so you can read the field and move accordingly. And above all, NEVER,EVER listen to ex-pro ballplayers trying to explain the rules on TV. They screw up more than a little.

[UmpIowa]

Thank you all for the help.

[calablue]

And try not to get caught wearing pants like the pair in your pic. :D

[catoblue]

To Michael's point "Then learn every game"...

This is probably the single biggest thing you can do for yourself. Use every game, every new (to you) situation as a learning experience. Anything that happens during the game that you start wondering about - research it in the rule books or case books, and if you can't find an answer, come here and throw it on the table for the whole gang to discuss and dissect.

The day an umpire feels there is nothing more to learn, is the day they need to stop umpiring.