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Originally posted by brunclikk
My question to you all is, do you feel that experience in playing the game should be a pre-requisite to officiating the game? If not a pre-requisite do you feel it makes a better umpire or is umping just knowing the rules and officiating a lot whether you've played or not? I was just interested in what you guys think, i have no real opinion on this matter. If it's not too much trouble in responding could you please tell if you yourself have played before as well?
I played at the HS level. IMO, what has aided me most in umpiring since I played the game is when we as umpires have to judge INTENT.
For example; on thrown balls, in order for interference to be called, we have to judge whether or not the act was intentional or not. IMO, this is where having played the game helps. It also helps in the area of game management, especially dealing with rival teams.
If you played HS ball, we all had those RIVAL games where emotions were high and we did not like each other. As an umpire you have to be aware of that otherwise the game could turn out of control in a hurry.
Therefore, in Summary I would not say it is NOT a Pre-requisite, but it helps in certain instances.
Pete Booth
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Peter M. Booth
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