Quote:
Another mistake rookie umpires make is "hanging around after the game is over". Once the game is over, Greet your partner and head for your car. Do not look for accolades if you think you called a good game, conversely don't be a "target" if you had a bad game. Also, the BU umpire should leave At the same time as the PU. In other words, the PU has to take off all the equipment, etc. so don't leave your partner alone.
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I work a lot of adult amateur baseball (I work 3 leagues, the biggest of which has 45 teams), and I've learned more about players and their mentality in the past year than in my first 15 years of umpiring.
How? Well, about 80-90% of the time my partner and I stick around after the game and the players buy us beer and vice-versa. The only times we don't stay is when we have a bad situation and then it's understood why we leave.
In the past season I've learned that a lot of the adults out there aren't rats, aren't as dumb as most umpires think they are, and really do appreciate hard work and effort. Many realize that we need umpiring the same way they need to play.
That said, my recommendation for better game management is to remember that the players are human beings who are entitled to your best effort and answers to questions they have. They also deserve for you to be fair and firm when poor sportsmanship happens.
--Rich