Rating Systems?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

I applaud my state association for trying to make a better rating system and a more objective way to rate officials for tournament assignments. it is a hard job. The problem is unless you use objective standards like test scores and trained umpires to evaluate people, no rating system is fair to the umpires. Coaches just cannot evenhandedly evaluate umpires, or frankly officials in any sport.

Test scores???

Test scores are one of the worst ways to evaluate umpires. I have no problem if they are factored in some way, but test scores only prove someone knows how to pass a test. I have seen guys that are really good at passing tests only to wilt like a flower in a hard rain when the heat gets on. Umpiring is more than passing a test and more than just knowing the ins and outs of a particular rule. We also have to manage people and deal with conflict. Not every umpire knows how to do that very well and it shows when a player or a coach gets on them.

Secondly there is always going to be input from coaches about the job we do. When I worked my first D1 game recently I heard of the report that the coach said to my assignor. When I worked for the first time in a D2 conference I heard about the opinions of what the coaches thought of the job I did. You might think there is not "rating system" in place but the reality there is. At least with a set rating system you might know what goes into it. When you work higher levels you might not ever know what is said behind closed doors and you could be affected more.

Peace

[jkumpire]

Yes, I agree with you, testing is not a great alternative here. It is your praxsis that matters.

But as a point of fact, how do you determine fitness for umpiring, on the FED or NCAA level?

Here is the list as far as I know, in no order:

1. Evaluation by trained evaluators
2. Coaches' Vote
3. Umpires' Vote
4. Rules/Mechanics Testing
5. Tape Evaluation
6. Reputation
7. Written Recommendations
8. Random Chance
9. Senority
10. # of games worked
11. Other (#of ejections?, player evaluations? I don't know?)

We all agree #1 is best, then possibly #5 is 2nd best. What is #3 on the list?
IMO its testing.
You tell me.

[JRutledge]

Where is this list coming from?

I do not know what this has to do with our discussion.

Peace

[jkumpire]

JR,

Sorry, I thought that any list of ways to evaluate umpires was germane to our discussion, as alternatives to a coach's vote. Tersting is not a good way to do it, except maybe as a way to limit the pool of eligible people if resources are not big enough to evaluate a lorger group of people

If I am not contributing to the conversation I am sorry.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

JR,

Sorry, I thought that any list of ways to evaluate umpires was germane to our discussion, as alternatives to a coach's vote. Tersting is not a good way to do it, except maybe as a way to limit the pool of eligible people if resources are not big enough to evaluate a lorger group of people

If I am not contributing to the conversation I am sorry.

Calm down, I just wanted to know if this was a made up list or an actual list used by an organization. This is not about contributing to the conversation (of course you are doing that, this is a discussion board), this is about trying discuss is there a better way to do things. I am just contending that even if you have a list, coaches will still have input on some level. In my state their input is just a small part of the process not the entire process. My state makes it very clear they can consider many factors not in our power rating and they even make a list but suggest they are not bound by those factors. If a particular coach sends a specific report about an umpire, it might be a big factor based on what the administrator wants to do.

Peace

[jkumpire]

JR,

Spouse in Hospital, that might make it seem I am frazzled. I am calm. It's my own list.

Coaches should have only a little say IMO. In the states I work in, they have way too much say in the process.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

JR,

Spouse in Hospital, that might make it seem I am frazzled. I am calm. It's my own list.

Coaches should have only a little say IMO. In the states I work in, they have way too much say in the process.

I hope everything works out with that. Family members in the hospital are never an easy thing to deal with. Not fun times for sure.

I agree there are places that the coaches make all the decisions. That would be wrong in my opinion. Coaches should not have that much say as to who works and when. But they will have input in just about any system even if it is not clearly stated.

Peace