First game on the dish...ever

[ToGreySt]

Originally Posted by kylejt

How do you start out doing JV ball? No Little League, PONY, anything?

I can't do high school ball because I have day job, but is this normal? I mean, you start out with 16 year old kids throwing 85mph? I mean in most respects it's easier than little kids ball, but these games count for something.

It just seems odd.

I've been playing baseball for as long as I can remember, but I've never done any umpiring at any level. The high school association here in New Hampshire has a 6 week clinic to get new umpires ready for the season. does everybody start out at lower levels then worked their way up to HS? has anyone started at HS?

Joe

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by ToGreySt

does everybody start out at lower levels then worked their way up to HS? has anyone started at HS?

Joe

i started when i was 14. i would work out with the assignor of LL that if i played a morning game(s) i could work an afternoon game or double header for him. if i played in the afternoon, id umpire early games, and i tried to pick one up during the week as well. thats how i started, but im sure there are some that jumped in later on

when i started out and for the first bunch of years, i was just a kid out there wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt, thats how we all did it. i dont know that really counts in my umpiring "resume" - thats just my first years

[Clint Lawson]

I have never seen a JV pitcher throw 85mph.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Clint Lawson

I have never seen a JV pitcher throw 85mph.

I'm glad somebody said something.

[moorg]

Originally Posted by Clint Lawson

I have never seen a JV pitcher throw 85mph.

I generally subtract 15 from anything that I do not see on a JUGS gun for myself.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by Clint Lawson

I have never seen a JV pitcher throw 85mph.

There was a twelve year in my town throwing 81mph. Perhaps you caught his 18 K's in six innings on TV. That's 81mph from 46'. I did most of his games last year, and they were, ah, interesting.

Kyle

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Clint Lawson

I have never seen a JV pitcher throw 85mph.

The JV right fielder that had never pitched before who took me out of the game (only time ever) with a fastball directly to my left elbow, was throwing well over 85 mph. He had no clue where the ball was going and the catcher was so overmatched he couldn't get a glove on the ball.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ToGreySt

I've been playing baseball for as long as I can remember, but I've never done any umpiring at any level. The high school association here in New Hampshire has a 6 week clinic to get new umpires ready for the season. does everybody start out at lower levels then worked their way up to HS? has anyone started at HS?

Joe

I worked my very first baseball game behind the plate in a varsity non-conference double header. I read two books from Carl Childress published by Referee Magazine. I read both books cover to cover in order to get a step up on my first game. Fortunately I did work a full season of football and basketball so I was prepared for the type of "people" issues that I was going to face on the baseball diamond.

In my state all you have to do is get a license by passing a test and passing a background check and receiving references from people associated with the IHSA (coaches, administrators and officials). If someone wants to hire to HS games it is up to the assignor. Of course you might not start out at the varsity level like I did, but you can still work games at the HS level in my area from the very beginning.

Peace

[Thatballzlow]

Originally Posted by ToGreySt

I've been playing baseball for as long as I can remember, but I've never done any umpiring at any level. The high school association here in New Hampshire has a 6 week clinic to get new umpires ready for the season. does everybody start out at lower levels then worked their way up to HS? has anyone started at HS?

Joe

Has anyone started out at HS level? Of course they have. You want two good stories...? Well, you're getting them anyway...

I had umpired a little softball, mostly slow pitch...but never a baseball game. I went to umpire school and my first games were a Division III NCAA DH...how bout them apples?

Best story...A friend of mine who went to umpire school with me had never seen a pitch in his life...softball, baseball...curling...synchronized swimming...lol...never officiated in his life....went to umpire school...made it to AA before getting married and deciding to quit...even though he was one of the next promotions to AAA. Now that's a quick move up the ladder.

Not trying to rub it in...just thought I'd point out there are all sorts of places to start...it all comes down to confidence...

I wish you the best on your first plate job...just remember...rules-schmules...don't become a rule book lawyer...just use common sense...you will remember the rules without focusing on them...take your time and let them know you are there to give them 100%!

And remember...thatballzlow...nah...call it a strike!