What would you want to hear about?

[Durham]

If you had a guest speaker coming in to talk to your class in a meeting about anything what would it be?

[BrianC14]

If you had a guest speaker coming in to talk to your class in a meeting about anything what would it be?

Give examples on how to best handle the various types of characters during an argument.

Still fresh in my memory was the several "acting" scenarios that were put upon us by several AA umpires during my very first clinic (circa 1992).
Since then I've had to handle about every 'type' of coach/manger/player out there (I hope, anyway) and coupled with using the recent addition of Verbal Judo, I'd say that this training has been invaluable.

For Verbal Judo, I would definitely get Ray Leible in to speak, if at all possible.

[ump_24]

If you had a guest speaker coming in to talk to your class in a meeting about anything what would it be?

Ditto with what Brian said.

Handling situations come up in meetings / clinics around here far far far less often than need be. It's almost like teaching how to handle a situation is taboo around here. References are made, but it's not like anyone actually gets told what to do, aside from "this is the mechanic if you need to eject someone"

As a result, consequences on the field are not good.

[robbyrudd455]

Since your speaker is probably a college or higher official, ask them to talk about what separates the average officials from the good officials and what it takes to move up.

[Durham]

Well I am the speaker and I have been asked to speak to 1 of the 5 break outs in our local HS group on Feb 1 and Feb 8. I was thinking about talking about FPSR Int at 2nd and Batter's Int at the plate. I want to get guys past the rule and more or how to handle those two situations. I think if they become comfortable with those two and start to call them more, then that will lead to them handleing other situations better as well. I am friends with Ray, and I planned on talking to them again about Verbal Judo with examples and situations. I was gonna cover this one of the nights, I just wanted to get some ideas about what guys might want to learn about the other night. I have some ideas, but I want to make sure to give them what might help them grow the most this season. And remind me what to focus on myself.

[BrianC14]

Well I am the speaker and I have been asked to speak to 1 of the 5 break outs in our local HS group on Feb 1 and Feb 8. I was thinking about talking about FPSR Int at 2nd and Batter's Int at the plate. I want to get guys past the rule and more or how to handle those two situations. I think if they become comfortable with those two and start to call them more, then that will lead to them handleing other situations better as well. I am friends with Ray, and I planned on talking to them again about Verbal Judo with examples and situations. I was gonna cover this one of the nights, I just wanted to get some ideas about what guys might want to learn about the other night. I have some ideas, but I want to make sure to give them what might help them grow the most this season. And remind me what to focus on myself.

Well, in keeping with current topics here, could you please emphasize the importance of putting the ball in play? :D :?:

[Durham]

Well Brian,

That might fit in, b/c I was thinking about helping them develope a consistent pre-pitch routine along with some plate stance/mechanics points. Not the style of their strike call, but tools that help them develope a consistent routine that leads to a consistent strike zone.

[ump_24]

Not exactly mechanics related, but how about this:

No one should ever "mail in" a game.

Regardless of weather, calibre, what happened with the wife or gf the night before, etc; those players are counting on us to be perfect.

Of course, we can't be perfect, but that should never stop us from not trying to be the best that we can be.

You never know when the coach is gonna throw in Jimmy the Right Guard (right on the bench, guarding the water) for his one at bat of the season or anyone else a look at a position they normally wouldn't play.

As PU, follow your plays up the line to first, rotate over to third. As BU, on a clear trouble ball, move your behind out to make the call and then at least try to get back to the plate.

If a player mails a game in, a coach will bench their ass. If an umpire does, it looks bad for each and every one of us.

[seth503]

Not exactly mechanics related, but how about this:

No one should ever "mail in" a game.

Regardless of weather, calibre, what happened with the wife or gf the night before, etc; those players are counting on us to be perfect.

Of course, we can't be perfect, but that should never stop us from not trying to be the best that we can be.

You never know when the coach is gonna throw in Jimmy the Right Guard (right on the bench, guarding the water) for his one at bat of the season or anyone else a look at a position they normally wouldn't play.

As PU, follow your plays up the line to first, rotate over to third. As BU, on a clear trouble ball, move your behind out to make the call and then at least try to get back to the plate.

If a player mails a game in, a coach will bench their ass. If an umpire does, it looks bad for each and every one of us.
This is great. Awesome advice.

Remember too, you never know who might see you that day. Maybe the league president/commissioner is at the field. Maybe your assignor or a board member in your association decided to stop by. Maybe it's an umpire who works a level you want to make it into. I keep in mind not only do I have to give the players and coaches a good game, I don't know who else might be watching me work.

[umpgent]

Keep the cell phone in the car.

Call partner ahead so there is no question you will both arrive on time and enter the field together.

Never discuss money on the field, no matter how awkward a situation is. (You'll eventually get it, and if we are doing this for the money, we're screwed anyway)

SMILE and introduce yourselves by name.

Never assume visiting coach knows the ground rules. Take 1 minute to review it.

Start every game with one more baseball than you really need in your bag.

Keep the game moving - count warm up pitches, keep 'em hustling, on deck batters chase passed & foul balls, don't meet with your partner to chat every half inning.

Err on the side of a large strike zone - it helps both teams and all parents.

Do everything reasonable to avoid an EJ. (Most can be prevented).

Don't be tacky enough to ask for free food/drinks at the concession stand. If the policy is to give it free, they will offer. After all, we are in uniform. Cutting in line when the game would otherwise be delayed is going to be permitted - but have money in hand.

Make readable notes of pitching changes and visits. (This is always a potential ass bite)

Don't call ticky tack balks - even in high school. MLB does not call ticky tack balks - (they don't even call many fairly obvious ones). If it's illegally deceptive, call it. Otherwise, if you're the only one who knows it's a balk, why call it? Nothing worse than the offense looking at you like. "Huh?" after a balk call.

[mazzamouth]

Batter INt is always a good one, as most umpire are not aware of what it looks like and most of the time they are scared to call it...FPSR is also a good one..handling dugouts..

[ump_24]

Keep the cell phone in the car.

Please for the love of all that is good, please do.

Call partner ahead so there is no question you will both arrive on time and enter the field together.

Attempt to arrange to part next to one another too. Tip - Never, ever park in a spot "Reserved for Umpire". You may as well put a giant bulls eye on your car.

Never discuss money on the field, no matter how awkward a situation is. (You'll eventually get it, and if we are doing this for the money, we're screwed anyway)

Disagree. Always make sure you get paid at the plate. I actually make a point to visit the home team coach before cash games when I am in my street clothes and ask if it is ok that I take the game fees then (use good judgement here, if the sky is grey and rain is threatening, you may want to hold off till the plate meeting). If I want to be hardcore, I'll also ask for the game balls to rub them up.

SMILE and introduce yourselves by name.

Never assume visiting coach knows the ground rules. Take 1 minute to review it.

Start every game with one more baseball than you really need in your bag.

Keep the game moving - count warm up pitches, keep 'em hustling, on deck batters chase passed & foul balls, don't meet with your partner to chat every half inning.

Sound, especially the last part.

Err on the side of a large strike zone - it helps both teams and all parents.

Disagree slightly. Be reasonable and consistent. A zone that's too big may get you out faster, but it can get you in just as much, if not more trouble that a small one.

Do everything reasonable to avoid an EJ. (Most can be prevented).

I'd rephrase this. Don't look for trouble, but don't hide from it either. If something happens, please don't hesitate to take out the trash. Walking around saying "I've done 637 games and have never had to eject anyone" is really stupid. If anyone doubts me, I'll introduce you to a guy I know...

Don't be tacky enough to ask for free food/drinks at the concession stand. If the policy is to give it free, they will offer. After all, we are in uniform. Cutting in line when the game would otherwise be delayed is going to be permitted - but have money in hand.

I'd suggest avoiding the concession stand altogether while in uniform, but one's physical needs come first; sound advice.

Make readable notes of pitching changes and visits. (This is always a potential ass bite)

Make all notes readable period. You never know when you may have to pass a line-up card onto another umpire at a later date.

Don't call ticky tack balks - even in high school. MLB does not call ticky tack balks - (they don't even call many fairly obvious ones). If it's illegally deceptive, call it. Otherwise, if you're the only one who knows it's a balk, why call it? Nothing worse than the offense looking at you like. "Huh?" after a balk call.

Be careful here. Use good judgement, but if you aren't careful, you'll have a coach in your face who knows the game wanting to know why you didn't balk the pitcher just then.

Overall, well written!

[finnerty]

Keep the cell phone in the car.


Please for the love of all that is good, please do.


At our first H.S. unit meeting, our instructional chairman relayed a hilarious story: He went to do an evaluation of a pair of umpires, including a guy who had a reputation for not only carrying his cell phone in his pocket, but actually using it to field an occasional call during a game.

So, during a break in the action, the evaluator called the BU with the cell phone rep, and HE ANSWERED THE CALL RIGHT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INFIELD!

:D:D

[BrianC14]

At our first H.S. unit meeting, our instructional chairman relayed a hilarious story: He went to do an evaluation of a pair of umpires, including a guy who had a reputation for not only carrying his cell phone in his pocket, but actually using it to field an occasional call during a game.

So, during a break in the action, the evaluator called the BU with the cell phone rep, and HE ANSWERED THE CALL RIGHT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INFIELD!

:D:D


OMG.... now THAT is funny! And just what the doctor ordered on this very trying day... thanks for posting that! ROFL

Laughter - the best medicine! :D

[seth503]

At our first H.S. unit meeting, our instructional chairman relayed a hilarious story: He went to do an evaluation of a pair of umpires, including a guy who had a reputation for not only carrying his cell phone in his pocket, but actually using it to field an occasional call during a game.

So, during a break in the action, the evaluator called the BU with the cell phone rep, and HE ANSWERED THE CALL RIGHT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INFIELD!

:D:D
Post of the week! :D That was too funny. Come on, now--how did the conversation go?