This will be my first season for baseball and I need some advice, especially around the equipment I need to get started, rules I need to concentrate on, how to develop a consistent strike zone, and intangibles. Thanks in advance for the help.

1. Rules: I would recommend on really focusing on the points of emphasis(located in the front of rulebook), also focus on the state adoptions(located in the back of the rulebook) that your state high school association adopted for the upcoming season.

2. Equipment: I would recommend logging on onto http://www.honigs.com and taking a look at their selection of baseball equipment, clothing, bags, shoes, and all of the neccessary items needed for the first year umpire. They have a lot of different packages to offer and you can adjustment to the packages as you see fit for your needs.

3. Strike zone: Yes, it is recommended to study the rulebook involving the strike zone, but I think really the only way that umpire develops a strike zone is by getting work time after time behind the plate, so you can use to seeing pitch after pitch coming in.

4. Mechanics: Working on your mechanics in front of a mirror at your home. Lock yourself in the bathroom, your bedroom, or in your basement, and just practice every mechanic that is used in baseball, so you can see what you like, and you can adjust it to make the best presentation possible for the coaches.

5. My final recommendation is continue to do what you doing now. Ask a lot of questions to veteran umpires in your area about any aspects of the game you do not understand. No matter if it is rules, mechanics, attitudes, game situations, or what ever it may be, continue to observe veteran umpires in action, and ask a lot of questions in the process.

My partner and I are trainers for our local association and we average two - three new umpires at each of our games all through the season wanting to watch, ask questions, seek information, and just learn all that they can about umpiring to take with them to their game.

BEST OF LUCK OF TO YOU!!

Mr. Sandlin:

What color is the sky in your world and what do you take to make it that way?

Rich

Rich,

Why did you respond to me with the post that you did?

The quote that you refered was not said by me to show or indicate that myself and my partner are better then any other umpire in our association, but said giving an example that young umpires go out and watch veteran umpires work their games to gain knowledge and pointers and how to be a better umpire.

I was just sharing what I thought was helpful information to a new umpire, but obviously you thought I was coming across in much different fashion.

I would not respond to a comment you made on this forum in the fashion you did to me, and if I have in the past, I do sincerely apologize.

We are all to help each other be better officials no matter what sport we work. Would you please not respond to me like that again? I think that is very unprofessional and uncalled for.

[Edited by johnSandlin on Oct 20th, 2003 at 12:15 PM]

All of us will have different opinions on how to best help a new guy. Don't spend the BIG BUCKS on HI-Tec equip. That way if you give it up..you didn't spend a bunch of money on stuff in the closet.
.
Mechanics & Rules. Study the American League rules..unless your doing school ball this is a good start. Set up on the inside corner of the plate and remember "you are not a statue" you can move with the pitch !. Don't get on your knee. Don't get crouching until the pitcher starts his wind up..this will save your back & legs over the course of a long game this will come in handy. Volunteer to do some pre-season scrimmage games just to get the experience. Get an Ump with BB experience to work with you on mechanics. Don't get too close to the play if you are working by yourself. Just keep asking questions.

<i> Originally posted by Sleeper </i>

<b> This will be my first season for baseball and I need some advice, especially around the equipment I need to get started, rules I need to concentrate on, how to develop a consistent strike zone, and intangibles. Thanks in advance for the help. </b>

A couple of questions to help in my response.


1. You said first season of baseball. Is the first season you will be doing HS ball? LL? etc.

2. Are you predominately umpiring games for kids who shave or don't shave?

I will try and answer based on the info provided.

Before you do anything I receommend becoming part of some association.

As far as equipment goes, if you umpire games for kids who don't shave you can get some used equipment as you don't need the "heavy artillerary" as you do when the kids get older. If you have some extra funds you can by a decent starter set from either Honigs or Gerry Davis.

As far as developing a consistent strike zone and intangables goes IMO takes experience. It's best to get a "clear view" for yourself by attending some formal training. By "clear view" I mean develop a stance that best suits you.

In a clinic the instructors will show and demonstrate the accepted stances which are The BOX (The most common stance used), Scizzors and getting down on one knee. (This stance is mostly used by some PRO Umpires) I receommend trying them all to see which one feels most comfortable to you.

Also, you need to understand mechanics which again the instructors will go over. The most widely used mechanic for amateur ball excluding Playoffs or Special type games is the 2 Person mechanic.

IMO the most important part of your early career is to try and have someone mentor you. IMO there's nothing like having a good mentor to help you along the way.

The intangables you refer to come under the category of Game Management which takes many games too develop at various stages of your development.

Based upon your status (ie; Married single etc.), how many games can you work? As they say the more the merrier. The most important thing is that when you say you can do a game as Nike says Just do it. If you get a reputation of taking a game and then declining later on, is not good for your career.

In Summary, as mentioned in order to answer your question we need to know what type of ball you are calling. If you can get some training and Good Luck!

Pete Booth

As far as the rules go, find out what rules the league you will be umpiring for is using. If it is FED rules, get yourself the FED books, including the rule books, case books, etc. If there are special exceptions to a widely published form of rules, obtain those differences. Then, read through all of them thoroughly twice. After that, read one page a night, and make sure you really understand everything written on that page. You'll catch on pretty quick using that method.

Just reiterating what everyone else said with experience. Everything gets easier over time. As far as the mechanics go, find a reliable source, either human or material, and learn, then practice the mechanics. They'll become second nature if you practice enough.

Equipment wise, be confident in what you buy. If you're doing lower level, chances are you don't need to spend as much. However, make sure you spend enough that you are confident to take the full force of a wild pitch or a foul ball. If that means you are buying the top of the line equipment for a 9 and under league, while you may be a bit of a wuss, it's better than being afraid. There are zillions of online retailers, many of which send out catalouges free of cost. Run an online search, and ask around.

Plus Pos also has some nice equipment online, especially the facemasks they have. The best things I can tell you are make sure you really want to be an umpire before you start and also don't drive yourself nuts trying to master every little point of the rules before you start. Get down the basic rules and mechanics and build on them as you do more games.

what everyone said above is good. I would add this, start by doing little kids stuff first, say 13 and under. While you will have to listen to parents and coaches that do not have a clue, it is better to make a mistake there than on a HS field (that is IMHO).

As far as strike zone goes, if doing little kids (3rd, 4th, 5th grade) a strike zone of knees to armpits is best. Keep the strike zone consistant. To do that make sure you can see the plate and follow the pitch from the pitchers hand to the catchers mitt (or bat).

reading one page a night is a bit slow, maybe one section. For example in the MLB rule book read the pitcher section then another time read the runner section. Read them multiple times. Make sure you read the drfinitions as it all starts there.

Find someone that will take time to mentor you. That will come to your games and watch you. Also read these boards. If someone post a queston or a play (case), grab your rule book and look it up.

Be patient when you get going. You will make mistakes, have people yell at you and there will be days you will wonder why you are doing this. But the main thing is have fun. If you are not having fun, I do not care how good you are, you will not last long at this.

Non-sequitur ??
 

I don't understand Rich's point. I do find it to be a humerous reply and I am sorry that it is at your expense John... but whatthehell does it mean? Because it doesn't necessarily follow what you have said.

Unless... Rich, like myself, is envious of you having 2 or 3 new umpires at every game seeking to better themselves. Personally, I might see 3 umpires a season at my games wanting pointers and input. If your statement is true, I am envious. I think we would all like to have that respect and be of that importance to our associations. Well, maybe not - it would be a large responsibility.

Because, working several dozen games per season myself, and I'm sure Rich probably does a similar amount if not more, having 2 or 3 new rookies at every game, including repeat appearances, would be a boat-load full... I think this might have been his point.

I think the rest of your post was fine. ;)

I still cannot figure out Rich's point either, but only he can tell us the truth behind what he was trying to convey with his comment to me.

My partner appreciate the people we get at our games, because we put the offer out there to them, however, if does begin to a repeated pattern over and over again with the same umpires all the time, then we do step in and politely say something about it.

It is touchy subject saying something to somebody who is coming to take you up on an offer you presented, but the point that we try to convey to them is they may be taking another person's spot, because the other person may feel the boat is full, so they back off and do not ask if they can come and watch your game(s).

Thank you for the defense to me in regards to Rich's comment. I appreciate your defense on my behalf.

I was implying that John was delusional if he was seeing 3-4 umpires coming to watch him work -- kinda like John Nash, the subject of "A Beautiful Mind" saw his imaginary friends.

In other words, I don't believe him.

That's all. I mean nothing else. If you feel you need "defense" from such a comment from someone you do not know, how do you react on the baseball field?

Rich

I would think a "Moderator" on this forum would strive to prevent hostilities,not incite them.JMHO

Jeff

Just because I'm a moderator doesn't mean I can't say I don't believe a poster.

Does anyone actually believe that someone has 2 or 3 people wanting to go and watch him work every game?

Sheesh.

We're umpires, we're supposed to have thicker skins than this. Frankly, I find some of Mr. Sandlin's statements hard to swallow as well, in particular his most recent followup in which he said he has to tell some umpires to not come to his games, in order to give others a chance. I mean, come on. He's either not communicating very well, or he's pulling some chains.

I don't find Rich's comments hostile. He stated his opinion quite succinctly and without provocation. He said he didn't believe a poster.

In the past that same basic belief and been put in many, far more hostile ways: "You're a F@#$in liar", "BullSh!t you @$$hole", and my personal favorite, "Hey Pinnochio, are you still lying or is your nose just happy to see me?"

Going back and re-reading John's posts, I can understand some of Rich's problems accepting them as gospel.

Wasn't it John who told us that a major league umpire told him that pitchers had to be replaced if they hit three batters?

How about the still unnamed survey that John reported to us that allegedly contradicted the named surveys regarding MLU Angel Hernandez?

Granted, John is a bit newer to the board than some others. And perhaps the image he conveys in his posts doesn't do reality justice. But the sum of the parts provided here don't add up to what many of us have come to expect of a trainer who has a loyal following of groupies.

An interesting allusion, given that John has listed "church activities" among his interests in his profile.

Maybe John <i>is</i> prone to enthusiastic embellishment of the facts, <i>or</i> maybe he is simply too honest to tone down those facts to make them more pallatable to the cynics among us. Either way Rich's retort was an entirely personal comment not related to baseball, and it did come from a moderator of the board charged with deleting such offending personal posts. IMHO Jeff's (mo99) comment was on point.

No-one likes to be accused of lying, even by a faceless troll on an Internet discussion board - not that Rich is either faceless or a troll. John's perfectly normal reaction has no bearing at all on how the he might react on the diamond. To suggest otherwise, as some have done, is to ignore the obvious differences in circumstances, time and place.

Cheers

Garth,

If you are going to go back and refer to what people say, then make sure you have it acurate of what they said. Garth, it does not look good on your part to refer to something that was never said.

In regards to the pitching rule in major league baseball Garth, I never said that a major league umpire told me that after one pitcher hits three batters, he has to be removed. I stated that I "read" that somewhere in the rulebook. When actually, I was reading something else in the rulebook and get it messed up with pitching rules.

And the other comment that I made in regards to Angel Hernandez was in SI earlier this year. All that happened there is, I got the names out of line.

In closing, Garth I find it very interesting that you, like to come out and crucify other members for things that say that may be incorrect and that is okay, but if we in turn do not agree with something you have said and we say something about it, then that is not alright.

If you and other members of this post, such has Rich are so "perfect" in your officiating information, then I can safely assume that the both of you are officiating at the "professional" level currently on a full time basis.

Have I been wrong in some things I have said in the past on any of these topics? ABSOLUTELY! I think there has been a time or two when we have "ALL" been wrong in comments that we have made on this website.

Does that mean we come out and take somebody to the "wood shed" because of some misinformation they gave out? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! Since Warren brought this up, I would like to continue it for a moment.

Please bare with me for going way off officiating for moment, but I feel it to be neccessary. In the Bible, when Jesus heard and seen people speak bad information, he calmly, quietly, and politely corrected them. He did not make them look a fool in front of other people.

Same is true here, we gain more respect from coaches, players, and fellow officials if we take care of our disagreements that we have with each other as officials that tend to run longer then expected privately, not in front of fellow officials, and everyone else, so that an official doesn't feel out of place and embarrassed.

Warren, I understand your point and agree with it to some extent, and I thank you for the defense of me in your last response to this topic.

Warren:

Thanks for your opinion. However, I refuse to not have an opinion and refuse to not express an opinion just because I am a moderator. There are three moderators on this board. If one of them finds what I posted offensive, he can remove it. Checks and balances and all that. And I'm not the only one finding this all hard to believe.

Rich

Hehehehe,
 

John has a history of inaccurate posting.

He is the ultimate "professional umpire groupie" (he replaced yrs trly with that award) and when confronted with his errors and omissions he immediately starts quoting the bible as his defense (and that ain't Jon Bible which would be a good defense).

I would happily work with Garth, Rich or Dave Hensley. I would not be comfortable on the field with John.

It is my personal opinion that even moderators have the rights of posting their opinion.

And I believe that Garth, Rich and Dave tell the truth.

Now, back to my cave.

Tee

[Edited by Tim C on Oct 23rd, 2003 at 11:50 AM]

I am sorry that you feel that you feel that way about me Tim since you have never seen me work a game before. I have never seen you work a game before either, but I would go on the field with you.

BTW, what is a "professional umpire groupie?" Because, I do not honestly feel that I fit that qualification.

You are correct. I was unsure how you quoted that "rule", which is why I phrased it as a question. I have since seen that instead of quoting an umpire stating that a pitcher must be removed after hitting three batters, you credited the rule book. Sorry for the mistake.

However, could you now tell me where else in the rule book you found this rule that you got "messed up" with the pitching rules?

Quote:

And the other comment that I made in regards to Angel Hernandez was in SI earlier this year. All that happened there is, I got the names out of line.

Now you appear to be fudging, John. Let's look at the record. First you posted:

<i>"I have no opinion to offer for the first part of the game. You are correct about MLB assigning the best officials for the post season. Angel has been touted as one of the top respected umpires in MLB for the last four to five years with having the honor of working the World Series last year."</i>

When asked for a reference for those four or five years of top ratings, you posted:

<i>"I read an article about a month in Sports Illustrated about players, managers, and front office people rating the MLB staff. According to this data, Hernandez was ranked among the worst umpires in the eyes of the players and managers.

"But, Hernandez was ranked among the best and most respected umpires in MLB."</i>

Again, you were asked for your source on this claim and you ignored the request.

Now you say you misread the order of listings in one SI article this year. What about the other four years, John?


[QUOTE]In closing, Garth I find it very interesting that you, like to come out and crucify other members for things that say that may be incorrect and that is okay, but if we in turn do not agree with something you have said and we say something about it, then that is not alright.

If you and other members of this post, such has Rich are so "perfect" in your officiating information, then I can safely assume that the both of you are officiating at the "professional" level currently on a full time basis. [QUOTE]

I think you've gone a little overboard with your Biblical comparison's John. No one has "crucified" you. And when you disagreed with my assertion and asked for a reference, I sent it to you immediately, right?

No one has claimed to be "perfect". And whatever you assume, you do so at your own peril.

Rich merely asserted an opinion. He was then castigated for having one. I then gave my opinion, or guess, as to why Rich may have said we he did. And your current post continues to confirm to me what I said; and that is the manner in which you portray yourself: what you post, how you post it and your habit of making strange claims that cannot be verified and that you later walk away from, is not that which is usually associated with an experienced trainer whom rookies flock to watch.

Tell me, how many experienced trainers, no matter what the alleged source, would expound that in major league baseball three hit batters would require the pitcher to leave the game? How many folks do you know would read one year's SI survey and extrapolate "four or five years" of data and results?

C'mon John. You could be the best umpire in Michigan. You might be everything you claim to be. But if you are, you have to be able to see that your posts don't do you justice.

Garth,

I am sorry, but I do not agree with you on what you said about me. I honestly do not feel I am going over board at all with my response. I am responding with valid, honest information, admitting my mistakes that I have made.

People have asked for sources that I base the information I have, I give to them. So, I do not agree with you that I ingore requests from people wanting my sources of information that I use or have used in the past.

However, most of the time(notice I said most of the time) you, and Rich come out with what appears to be a "high and mighty" attitude.

Honestly, I do not feel that I come across that way. I feel that I come with a very good attitude, good approach, honesty and interegity. Plus, if I am wrong, I come back and admit that I was wrong and we go on from there.

But in my opinion, you and Rich continue to drag it on and on longer then it needs to be dragged on. It was simple misreading, and then misinformation on my part that got this whole thing going. I admitted I was wrong and we let it go and move on.

I came on to give a newer baseball umpire a response to his original post. Then, for what ever reason(that I still do not understand), you and Rich start teeing off on me over history since I registered with this site.

How does the actions by you and Rich have any thing to do with officiating?

[Edited by johnSandlin on Oct 23rd, 2003 at 11:41 AM]

Two Quotes Come to Mind
 

1. "There is none so blind, as he who will not see."

2. "If you aren't ready for the answer, don't ask the question."


I have explained my posts and my opinion, John. As they say, a sign of insanity is repeatingly doing the same activity in the same way and expecting different results.

I am not insane.

Have a nice day.

[Edited by GarthB on Oct 23rd, 2003 at 12:58 PM]

I have no idea what you were trying to say in your last post Garth, but I will do the same as you did for me and bid you a good day also.

Rich:

You can have all the opinions you like, of course, but when you VOLUNTEERED to moderate this board you <i>de facto</i> agreed to hold yourself to <u>at least</u> the same standard <b>expected</b> of everyone else - ie. no personal attacks or personal criticism. You have voluntarily assumed the role of "protector" of the board's content.

If you subsequently engage in personal criticism, however provoked you may feel, you cannot later moderate the posts of others in a similar vein without appearing hypocritical. That was Jeff's point, I'm sure, and it was certainly mine.

Cheers

It's going to be a long off-season.

Hang in there until spring...

Yes,Warren,that was exactly my point.Just as we must do on the field,withold our personal opinions to uphold the integrety of our position of authority.I just feel the moderator should refrain from the personal attacks he is there to prevent.

Jeff

And what was the original question posed in this thread? Something about a new guy seeking advice...

-Join an organization.
-Go to the meetings.
-Pay attention.
-Go to several clinics.
-Pay attention.
-Practice. In your room. On the field. In the gym.
-Start asking questions of experienced umpires about gear, mechanics, rules, plays, and getting along with coaches, players, fans, game and league supervisors, and umpires.
-Read all of the "case" books you can get your hands on.
-Read the appropriate rule books as well.
-Go to games and watch the umpires - how they work as a crew as well as individual performance. Look how they dress as well. Watch how they talk with coaches and players and partners.
-Get out there and do it. Falldown, get up. Learn from your mistakes, the mistakes of your partners, and the weird plays you'll see.
-Don't be afraid to answer reasonable questions from coaches and players, BUT DON'T CHIT-CHAT WITH ANYONE!
-Go back and continue to read the books, manuals, case plays, and rules. Once stuff happens to you on the field some of that stuff will take on a whole new light.
-Go to a professional umpire school if you have a real desire to "improve and move".
-Remember, even if you are new, you are already better than some other umpires. You'll also never be as good as some others, no matter how hard you work. Stay humble.
-Work, work, work.
-HAVE FUN!!!!

Thank you JJ for bringing this topic back on point. I was tired of reading all of the negative comments made by other officials including myself.

I want to apologize to my fellow officials again for any of my conduct throughout this topic's discussion. It was wrong of me to take the route that I did in defending myself, and apologize for that.

John Sandlin

yap yap yap
 

Don't you guys think it is time to close this thread and start over
One for the debate on the legitimacy of John v Rich v Warren?
and one for the original question that has been lost in the flying scattalogy

Jeez guys, give me a break will ya?

Not surprisingly you have missed the point...
 

My only 2 previous posts in this thread have been on the subject of a moderator posting off-topic personal comments when he is supposed to remain above that sort of behaviour. I simply supported Jeff (mo99) in his original comment. Nothing more and nothing less.

I don't want my name associated with any thread that debates the "legitimacy" or otherwise of ANY official posting to this forum. That is certainly NOT why I post here and I believe I am not alone in preferring that approach.

Cheers

This thread hadn't been touched in over a week. I'm not closing the thread, but it is obvious that others couldn't let it go.