New Umpire - HELP

[jicecone]

Originally posted by wobster
OK guys, I need some serious help here. I am in charge of LL Majors and Minors leagues. I umpire ALL majors games, and my BU is pretty decent, but unsure of his calls.

My minors umpires are a different story. I watched 2 games that they umpired last night, and counted about 5 or 6 missed calls, not counting the 5 or 6 runners that missed home plate they did not see. Also had a call where the UIC had a great view of a play at second (we use a pitching machine for minors), called the kid out, only to have the BU overturn the UIC's call! These kids are 15 YO babe ruth kids who know the rules, but just don't seem to do a real good job.

I am a pretty good umpire (or so I am told), but I have no idea how to teach other umpires. My question is this: How can I teach these kids to be better, know what to watch and when, etc without coming off like an prick?

You are dealing with 15 yr old kids that you THINK, know the rules. Their experience level is probably counted in months. Do they suck? YES. We ALL suck at umpiring when we first start off. How can you help?

1. Lighten up about their mistakes and concentrate more on what they are doing right.

2. If you can't buy or have the league buy some manuals, buy one and make copies to hand out. Or make one up, copy it and hand it out. Even if it just includes what you already know.

3. Make a list of what you see is wrong and have a meeting to go over how to do it right.

4. Give them some direction and things to work on. You may think they are perfect because they have a title of umpire however, No training and No direction will get you NO GOOD UMPIRE.

5. Take some time away from umpiring the majors and spend it with the minor umpires, so you can show them the proper mechanics.

6. Have a meeting to go over the rules. Not as player, but as an umpire. I know Umpires that still don't know the rules , so don't be so fast to get down on the kids.

Just remember, CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM and support in all situations where coaches or parents try to belittle your staff will get you a lot further in developing a staff. Your the Coach of the third team on that field. If they stink, well mabey your not doing your job.

Finally, you need patience, patience and patience.