An Umpire's New Years Resolution
 

What is your New Year's Resolution as it relates to UMPIRES. I could care less about your plan to lose weight or give up smoking or family problems you may wish to address. :rolleyes: But I do wish you the best as you continue to try to resolve personal matters in your own life. ;)

Happy New Years!

My Resolution: I want to add many more games to my resume this year, than last.

1) Professionalism (always a goal, can never be good enough in this department)
2) Rules (once a week I'd like to sit down and just reread and reread and reread)
3) Get better games and just have the chance to impress the big wigs

I think I'm going to work more Legion games this Summer. I'd also like to get another Babe Ruth regional assignment for 16-18 this year.


Tim.

Don't be satisfied with last year's good performance and keep up my enthusiasm.

Also, try and help as many other umpires as i can to become better themselves.

I am going to try harder to recruit some younger guys into our association.

1) start smoking

2) gain some more weight

3) discuss my family problems with y'all ad nauseum.

Be tolerant and helpful to the umpires I work with who are less experienced.

Learn from the ones I work with who have something to share.

Be more tolerant with managers and less tolerant with assistants.

Get through the season without ejecting Dan Hubbs.

1.Look over and study the LL Rule Book from end to end.

2.Attend as many umpiring clinics/schools as possible

Big 3
 

1) Continue to use good timing and mechanics both behind the plate and on the bases.

2) Hustle, hustle, hustle.

3) HAVE FUN!!!!

OK, I posted this last year. Then I had a great year. It's relevant, so I'm posting it again -

AWARENESS. I've been fortunate enough to be able to watch some excellent college umpires, and this is the one thing that seems to keep manifesting itself with the cream of the crop. They know what's going on, where the crap is coming from, where it's liable to come from, who doesn't like whom, past history, who the "players" are, who the "rats" are, who they can talk with and who they can go to to get things done. They know what the score is, who is frustrated (coaches AND players), which partners need "guidance", when to listen and when to raise their voice, when to warn and when to dump. They know the direction the game is headed at any given moment. They pay attention to "message" pitches, chirping, bench-jockeying, and even "eye-balling". They watch the weather, the fans, and they know where security and game management is. If you ask them, they can even tell you where the bathroom is, and the best hot dog in the league, the most economical hotel, and the best local steakhouse.
For me it's all about awareness, and in 2007 that's the one thing I'm going to focus on improving in MY umping career.

JJ

In all seriousness, Dan, I would suggest a substitute publication for the LL rulebook. You should obtain a copy of Little League's "Umpire Clinic Manual." This is a much more appropriate training manual for a beginning umpire than mere rote study of the rulebook would afford.

I have a PDF version I would email you if send me a private message with your email address.

I resolve to get through my personal issues, then decide if I even want to call any games this summer. I probably will, given the financial issues I'm up against. I've said this the last two years..."One more year and that's it..."

Dave, thanks a ton.

However, We get the Umpire clinic manual every year at the District umpire clinic held by UIC. I do have a copy of it and have studied it. I have found it to be very useful, much more then the rule book (of course i must know the rules anyway). But mine is from last year, so it might be different slightly. I will pm you my email you can send me a PDF of yours. Thanks :D

Hmmmmm..................
 

I believe from some of your past postings that this is factually incorrect.

You may have gotten a copy of "The Right Call" or "The Umpire in Little League", but it's very doubtful that you received the "Rules Instruction Manual." I think that's what Dave is referring to.


Tim.

I bought a 2007 MLB rule book today because I have heard of some changes. Of course I guess I could have waited for Carl to update the 2007 BRD, but this was faster. You can also see the entire test of MLB rules at MLB.com, but it infringes copyright to duplicate them, but you can read them.

Was Dave talking about the Tan booklet labed "Umpire Clinic Manual"? thats what i have.

I've been away for a few days. Yes, Umpire Clinic Manual is what I am recommending that you focus on. A different publication from the Rules Instruction Manual. I've emailed it to you.

OK thanks Dave.

ok back to those resolutions ya'll been making :D

To pick up a regional assignment.

To keep my 34 year streak of never having worked a Little League game intact.

Since I won't be working near as many games this year as I did last year (150+) to concentrate on being my best, looking my best, & being my best. Do a great job and be proud of what I've done!:)

to work over 150 games. aka $6,000

150 games? Oh, to be single and childless again......sheesh......

My resolution? Don't make my scheduler regret moving me up to college ball, I guess:)

Wife & 6 kids (youngest 3) & 2nd grandkid on the way!:D

BTW Don, you're not from Wichita R U?

I plan to keep improving and moving up to the next level...:eek:

No, I'm about 2.5 hours west of Wichita in Ashland. I just moved here in September, before I lived near Emporia working in the Topeka/Emporia areas. Will be working in Dodge City and Liberal mostly at this point, may get to sprinkle in some Northern OK as well. Not getting too bad a schedule for just getting to this area; some schools here were dragging umpires in from 5-6 hours away for games from what I hear.

1A & 2A Baseball is really picking up out there. I too have had offers to head west but I get all I want and then some around Wichita here. Keep us informed how things are going in the "Wild, Wild West!"