Hey guys, I've been umpiring local summer ball for 3 years now, and been certified by the Illinois High School Association for 2. However, I haven't made the time to get any Jr. High or High School games to do during the school year. I'm fairly confident in my rules knowledge and mechanics and the like from doing summer ball the past 3 years. What I'm wondering is if I should give my partner a call that I will be working the double header with on Saturday. Also, if you were in his shoes, would you prefer to know ahead of time that this was my first game working with another licensed official or should I just wait and tell him that during pregame or just not mention it unless he asks? Thanks very much for the input. I love coming to this board and seeing the insight that many of you have to offer.

Josh

If I was him, I would darn sure like to hear from you at least 24 hrs. in advance, so's I don't have to worry about doing a DH by myownself. As for it's your first w/ a licensed official, dunno. Are these games a higher level than you are used to? If this is your first series at this level, you might want to mention it in the phone call, so the two of you can agree to meet a little earlier than usual for a more-exaustive-than-usual pregame. Plus, you may find out [I hope not] that this is HIS first series at this level, in which case the two of you need to really go to school w/ each other before the 1st game; and then you need to decide if you are going to do bodily harm to the assignor.

--Carter

Just go to the field, have a nice little pre-game, and then umpire the DH (switch positions). If your summer ball has been big diamond, don't expect anything much different from 13-14 year old middle school players. Tell him after that it was your first JR High games.

Have confidence, and go get 'em.