Quote:
Originally Posted by MNBlue
Some really obvious things to many of us that I noticed while observing umpires at a 10U tournament this summer. Might be helpful and it might not be.
When the 'others' here want to critique this, keep in mind it was for VERY new umpires working a one umpire system. 
- SLOW DOWN YOUR CALLS– NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS FAST!!!
• When pointing to the pitcher to play – or holding her up with the “Do Not Pitch” sign, use the hand on the opposite side of the batter so the pitcher can actually see your hand. Right handed batter, use the right hand. Left handed batter, use left hand.
• When showing the pitcher the count, make sure she is watching. If you give the count immediately after the catcher catches the ball, the pitcher is looking at her and not you. If you give it after the pitcher catches the ball, she is usually walking back to the pitcher’s plate and not looking at you. Wait until she turns around.
• When showing the count, hands above your head and arms straight. If you are giving a signal that needs to be seen, make sure it can be seen.
• Don’t turn your head on the ball when calling pitches. If you lose sight of the ball, the catcher will drop the ball.
• ALWAYS face the ball, especially when someone is going to be throwing the ball from behind you.
• When signaling safe, do exactly what you did in junior high PE. Bend your elbow at shoulder height with finger tips together. Extend your arms out.
• When moving into the diamond to make calls after the ball is hit, get AT LEAST 15’ into the diamond. Farther is better.
• If the catcher moves to get a ball – foul or passed – you MUST move as well. Don’t look for the ball, follow the catcher with your eyes until she is clear of you THEN find the ball.
• DO NOT CALL A BALL FOUL UNTIL IT HAS STOPPED MOVING OR IT TOUCHES SOMETHING OTHER THAN DIRT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• DO NOT CALL THE PITCH A BALL OR STRIKE UNTIL THE CATCHER CATCHES THE BALL!!!!!!
• When calling strikes, be LOUDER!!! Loud enough for the coaches in the coaching boxes to hear you.
• Hold the indicator in your left hand.
• When ruling a ball fair or foul, be straddling the line. You will be MUCH more believable
• Hands should be straight when calling a ball foul or a dead ball.
• DO NOT point toward first base when a batter walks. If she doesn’t go, tell her “That’s Ball Four”. If she doesn’t move, tell her again.
• Move when there is play in the field to be ruled upon. The closer you get, the more believable you will be.
• Put a notch in the wheels of your indicator at 0-0-0. It will help you re-set it without looking at it.
• Outs and strikes should be called with your right hand.
• DO NOT CLEAN THE PLATE WITH YOUR FOOT!!!
• When there is more than one runner on base, don’t quit umpiring when you make the first call. There will almost always be another call. Look and move.
• DO NOT TALK TO FANS!!!!
• Don’t announce the number of outs. That is the coaches’ job. If you announce the number incorrectly and the players do something based on that incorrect information, they will be all over you. They already don’t like us, don’t give them ammunition.
• Don’t touch player equipment
• Don’t throw balls to the pitcher – hand them to the catcher to throw. The first time you hit a 10U pitcher in the head with a ball will be the last time you throw it to a pitcher. 
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Now you made me nervous !!
Seriously, Adams, all good advice, just work on the all caps stuff and right hand only the first game. I was lucky enough to have no warning, game time decision as they say, 8-9 yr old LL, my son playing.
Also, remember you know the most and ARE THE ONLY ONE THERE WHO IS NEUTRAL about the result.