Assignments
I have been fortunate to be selected in some very good assignments. I have umpired the Little League Western Regionals, Senior Little League Regionals, Pony, Colt, Palomino Regionals. I have umpired the Super Series and USSSA World Series.
I have had been selected to Division 1 NCAA College games as well as High School playoffs.
Why was I selected to these assignments. Politics? Is it because I have made myself available when the assigner needed someone. And this was payback? Was it because I was the Umpire in Chief and the assigner owed it to me? Hopefully not.
What does an individual need to have to be selected to theses games?
First of all there is appearance. He must be in good physical shape. He needs to be able to get into position. This is a tough one to swallow for me especially. I have always been overwieght. I topped out at 440 pounds. At this weight I was selected to umpire in the SWAC Conference in the NCAA. I was able to move but was a step or two behind. I had stomach bypass surgery and in a year have lost 170 pounds. I am in good shape now. And look and feel better than ever.
The uniform needs to be pressed and clean. There needs to be a shine. This gives an appearance of professionalism. When you show up to a game or in the environment where you are looked at as The Umpire. You should be dressed professionaly and your attitude should be dignified.
The umpires should have the communication skills to perform a strong pregame with members of the crew. Mechanics and responsibilities can not be in doubt. The plate umpire should have the ability to perform a detailed pregame with coaches. This is the first contact with the teams representatives. Ths is where they get a comfort with the officials of the game.
The umpires must have the knowledge of the game. This comes from training clinics. The best way to get to understand the rules and situations is to be put in the situation of teaching. Helping with clinics put an individual in a situation where other sides of looking at a rule or mechanic are brought out and makes the individual that much stronger. If a person can teach it they should be comfortable in the game situation. So attending high level clinics are very important. And then sharing that information with local members helps everyone.
The umpires attitude toward the game is a difficult component when making assignments. Many times there are individuals that look great, they have been to the right schools and clinics, they know the rules and mechanics perfectly. But they get emotional (Attitude). They take advantage of situations to prove they are in control. (Power). They have tough calls or situations and they get defensive. They pull out the old Major League mentality. I made the call and no I am not going to listen. That defensive attitude is not acceptable in today's game. That point is being made in professional baseball, college and high school. Hopefully it gets to the youth sector with new officials. People are more sensitive as to how the are communicated with. There is a level of respect that is necessary. This has effected many good individuals that have not been given the opportunity to be assigned to the higher games.
The most important is Pride. The individual chose should be proud to being assigned. They should be challenged to do a great job. Individuals that are handed the games on a silver platter without earning it usually do not perform at a level that is expected.
Again I personally have been fortunate in being assigned to very good games. I have also been overlooked. I can accept being overlooked if the person deserves it. It is the political "Handed on a Silver Platter". Usually those are the ones that have problems.
Good Luck and Yes I used to live in San Jose so I know the way and miss it very much. Some of the best umpires I have ever met are in San Jose.
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