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Carl,
Like ALL the rest, welcome. For the most part, you will get very solid answers and advice here - moreso than most of the other boards.
What to add
Let's start with
1-Keep a journal or diary of your games. Make note of every unusual play and ruling, every play where you thought you blew the call or misapplied the rule, every play where something strange happened and you felt you were not where you needed to be to make the right call. Along with all those plays, read the rule book and find the correct ruling. I would suggest that you download the NCAA umpire manual and see what it sez about where you should have been - no offense, Mike, but it's far better than the ASA manual and it's available online.
2-As a coach, you probaly have a decent idea who the best umps in your area are - verify that with your district uic. And then go watch those folks work. Let them know you are there (before they get to the field) and ask them if you can sit with them afterward to ask why they did what when something happened.
3-For your plate work - one of the most common mistakes all umpires make is calling the pitch too fast. Catchers, pitchers, other players, coaches, and you want a call that is accurate and correct - not just a call that is immediate. When you work the plate, let's change the priority. If your first priority is to see the catcher catch the pitch, everything else will fall into place. By watching the catcher catch it, you will have tracked the pitch all the way, from the pitcher's hand into the catcher's glove, your timing will be very good, and there is a very high probability that your ball/strike call will be coorect and consistant.
4-Do not be afraid of making mistakes. You will make them, as has everyone else. Learn from each mistake and don't repeat it. Your journal/diary will help with that because you will review it pretty frequently.
There's lots more, but let's start with these things - along with the other solid advice you have been given.
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Steve M
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