Advice

rickfriedmann · #1 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2005, 02:44pm

I'm new to umpiring (HS and summer leagues) although I've played for 40+ years. What ONE piece of advice would you give me above everything else?

ozzy6900 · #2 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2005, 03:20pm

Quote:

Originally posted by rickfriedmann
I'm new to umpiring (HS and summer leagues) although I've played for 40+ years. What ONE piece of advice would you give me above everything else?

Timing, timing, timing! And above all else - timing!

JRutledge · #3 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2005, 03:24pm

If you cannot have fun, you will not enjoy umpiring.

Peace

largeone59 · #4 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2005, 07:03pm

Don't think that since you have experience in the sport, that you know the rules. I learned that real quick the first time i actually picked up a rulebook and read the whole thing.

JRutledge · #5 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2005, 07:16pm

Quote:

Originally posted by largeone59
Don't think that since you have experience in the sport, that you know the rules. I learned that real quick the first time i actually picked up a rulebook and read the whole thing.

I would agree that experience does not automatically make you a knowledgeable rules guy, but knowing the rules is not what umpiring is all about. You can be 100% correct on a rule and a coach will still challenge you and whether you got the call right. I have seen guys nail a rule and could not communicate what they saw and the coaches have a field day at the expense of that umpire. I would say about 95% of calls that get arguments are not based on rules, they are judgment calls.

Peace

largeone59 · #6 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2005, 07:17pm

Yes, good point J.

rickfriedmann · #7 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2005, 08:13pm

Thanks for the comments so far. I do know that I learned more about positioning in the half dozen games i've watched this spring trying to watch as an umpire than I can figure out from the NFHS book

mbyron · #8 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2005, 09:10pm

Good umpiring mechanics is another area where your experience playing will not help much.

Except for one thing: when you slid into base just as the ball was arriving, you always knew where to look for the umpire, right? Now that you're working the game, be there!

GarthB · #9 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2005, 10:10pm

Before you pick up bad habits from others and develop some of your own, go to a clinic or camp and learn the right way from the beginning. Jim Evans conducts week-end and one week clinics, Gerry Davis conducts various clinics, ABUA conducts clinics, etc.