Quote:
Originally posted by BigUmp56
LL,
I have a couple of questions for you.
1) How much "formal" training have you had?
2) Why would you feel that you should only "consider" more formal training?
Don't you think receiving all the training you can the best avenue to acheiving success on the field?
3) Just how long have you been umpiring?
I don't want to seem confrontational with you, but you come off as someone who has done everything and been everywhere.
I have called games in LL for years and I can assure you that I have never worked with an umpire without a sound background off formal training that was a competent official.
There are a myriad of issues that are addressed at a formal umpiring camp that you cannot replace by simply reading a manual. Far to many to list on this forum.
Simply walking on to a field with a nicely pressed uniform and good equipment does not make someone a competent umpire.
You may feel that you can maintain control of a game and adjudicate the rules accordingly with little or no formal training, but in all honesty, without a solid understanding of the unwritten rules of umpiring, you cannot.
I don't want to disparage your intent, as I feel it is laudable. I do feel however, that you may need to reconsider your position on formal training.
Tim.
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[list=1][*]For the last 11 years, I've either taken the local League's classes or attended the District sessions. This has probably averaged 10 hours of training per year, much of it highly repetitive. Of course, for the last couple of years, I've been giving the local League's training, though this may also be a valid learning experience. Informally, I've worked many games with more experienced umpires who were willing to make them learning experiences, and we have discussed (and I've been critically evaluated for) some "unwritten rules" around rule enforcement and game management.[*] I guess that considering is something I do before doing, and I haven't done more formal training. Of course, my consideration may lead to a decision to
do some different training this year.[*]I've been umpiring LL games since 1994: 12 seasons. I've never done another "level" of game. I have worked 60' baseball, 90' baseball, and softball in both regular season and tournament games. I can't imagine how I come off as anything but a LL umpire who's humbly reporting on his own experience at the local and district levels and who is not afraid to ask for guidance and advice from those with wider experience. If I have misrepresented my actual experience, I'm sorry.[/list=1]I'm not sure how to evaluate my own performances. How does one tell that one has failed at game control of fair officiating? I'm open to the notion, but (perhaps due to my own ignorance) I can't identify a huge problem.
-LL