How did you get so good?

[Ump20]

Originally posted by devilsadvocate
Back in the day (before the discussion boards, before J/R, before JEA), how did most amatuer umpires learn of rules interpretations? Word of mouth, association training, clinics, etc.

For those experienced umpires, do you feel that access to the above mentioned resources would have sped up your learning curve? Do you feel that today's new umpire with two years of experience is better prepared than his 1970 or 1980 equivilant?

I have been umpiring for ten years. I discovered the Internet and the Discussion Boards a couple of years after I attended my fist clinic. I think that one advantage of the Internet is it lets a serious new umpire know he still has a lot to learn. It helps though to be able to post a message in December when the next meeting of your association is a couple months away.

I think that some posters get too caught up in personalities and it clouds their thinking. Some focus on WHO is talking rather than what they are saying and what their credentials to make "authoritative opinion" may be. Also, regardless of how knowledgeable an official may appear on the web we don't really know about his or her abilities until we see them under game conditions on the field. I remember my first year umpiring I was paired with a college official at my first Connie Mack game. Joe said one simple thing (among a whole lot others) I'll always remember He said to always look like an umpire. That bit of advice spoke volumes about appearance, hustle, and more subtle parts of officiating.

I try to give back to newer officials working our own Association's school as well as at games but I always find it easier when the newer guy approaches me first and asks for feedback. Jim/NYC

One of the best pieces of advice I got when I started doing HS was talk to all the guys that have been around and you think do a good job. Ask advice on situations and have then offer criticisms of your mechanics. Of all you hear some will work for you and some won't. Take all the information and pull out what you think is good for you, throw the rest away, and then develope you own style. I see no diffence on the internet. Ask and learn then apply want it to your game.

[etbaseball]

Devilsadvocate, et al:

Are you not entertaining the age-old question of is today better than yesterday? Taking it a step further, will tomorrow be better than today? Seems to me that you're dealing with the what-ifs and the coulda-shoulda-woulda principle. It reminds me of all those arguments that compare today's athletes with those of another era. Each person has their own opinion, and we've all heard the story ... "opinions are like ***-----, we've all got one and we're all entitled to one."

On to the point I think you're making. Is it easier to succeed today in this gendre than it was a decade or two ago? I somewhat agree, in that the access to information is more readily available in todays world. If one can acquire the information necessary to learn about his or her endeavors more easily, then they probably can develope and advance in a shorter period of time.

Regarding the value of internet forums, like anything else they can be productive or counter-productive. I'm reminded of the statement made about "why are there so many bad writers? Answer: Because there are so many people who can't read."

I find the information posted here and at other locations interesting, entertaining, informative, provocative, insulting and sometimes totally useless and a waste of time. One must be able to ferret through the bad sometimes in order to find something of value and substance. I personally enjoy the discussions, as I'm sure many of you do, in order to get a varied look from many diferent angles on any given subject.

"It takes all kinds of schooling to adapt oneself to my type of fooling" wrote Robert Frost. In this regard I would say that there are a great number of ways to develope good skills and rule knowloedge. The internet is one of those places. Another way / place, which was not mentioned in this thread, is by going to the ball park to observe good umpires doing their work in real time. I know that when I first entered this 'dark side' of baseball, I went to Stanford's sunken diamond,as well as other venues, and just watched the umpires work. Being a formere ball player it took me several innings to focus my eyes on the umps and not the ball. I believe this is one area that a great number of umps fail to take advantage and witness first hand. Watch the good umps, again and again and again.

The more time and hard work that an individual puts into learning their craft, the quicker they will grow in knowledge and ability. When that happens then a number of others will say " Hey, he's good, can I work with him?"

ED

[Edited by etbaseball on Feb 14th, 2002 at 01:45 AM]

[Ump20]

Originally posted by Mike M
With only three years of game experience under my belt all I can provide is my opinion how the Internet has enchanced my skills as an umpire. When I made the decision to umpire I visited numerous sites and printed out dozens of articles on various aspects of the umpiring (I did not find discussion boards until this year). It is my belief that cumulative knowledege contained in those articles accelerated my learning curve considerably. But perhaps the biggest thing the Net did was expose me to a level of professionalism and love of the game that umpires have. As a result, I make every effort to be a professional as I grow and learn.

Once last thought: The "experience" passed along on the Net versus the "experience" acquired during game while not the same, certainly has made me a better umpire. Thanks to all of you will take the time to enhance the skills of the new guys on the block.

Mike,

I think that just three years expereince makes you a perfect source of info on the modern day Internet umpire. I have umpired ten years and went to a clinic my first year. I have been to one other since. These were local clinics run by a former Minor League umpire and a group of college officials. I think it is important to my intergrity and love of the game to get better. It is not linked to getting ahead. I am content doing Connie Mack baseball near to home.

I think the Internet speeds up your expereince by the shared expereince of others but it is tough to know who an authoriative source is and then choose from polar opposites. I think the Internet helped me with game management. For example a lefty pitcher has a border-line move to first. The runner is getting back. No big complaints. As the teams exchange sides I might let the coach (in earshot of the pitcher) know his move "needs a little attention". I correct the fault, don't have to call the balk, and the game moves smoothly.

I know some will say "You saw a balk -- Call it. What rules are you going to ignore tomorrow?" That is their privlige and they may be just as serious about umpiring as I am but we differ oon how to go about that. I think game management does not mean I have to constantly interject myself into games. Jim/NYC

[jicecone]

This is definitly no advertisement but the No.1 influence in my development as an umpire has been Carl Childress's books. Why. They gave me what I thought was an unbias approach to umpiring, sometimes amusing and down to earth. They also introduced me to other areas that could be of help.

2. My willingness to do any game available.

3. My insistence on trying to call a perfect game. This alone still causes me to go back to the books even after 16 years.

Ten and twenty years from now, look back and Im almost postive that you will find out that your development as an official is and will always be in direct proportion to your willingness to make yourself better at what your doing. Computers, brain wave helmets(?), books and any other invention that man comes up with, is ONLY A TOOL.
Mask $65.00, Chest protector $100.00 Indicator $3.00
BRD $18.95

Hard work, self study and Hard work..... PRICELESS

[Steve Emerson]

One thing I know that helped me was early in my career, besides going to local clinics. I went to several minor league games and watched the umpires work. At first this is very hard being a former player, you have to focus on what the umpire is doing. Two man mechanics in the minor league level is usually very good, watch one then watch the other, or if you have a team locally you can concentrate on what one umpire does the entire game go back the next day and watch what the other one does how he reacts in different situations. I know that everyone does not have this opportunity but if you get a chance watch these guys. But now a word of warning do not try and emulate them, take what they do well and incorporate it into your game. And that is something only you can determine for yourself, how good do you want to get? If you can get to a college game watch these guys also they will show you things that you need to know. Read, watch, work the keys to being successful are up to you.

[Patrick Szalapski]

Originally posted by Steve Emerson
Two man mechanics in the minor league level is usually very good, watch one then watch the other

What minor league these days uses two-man? Class R? Aren't they all three-man?

P-Sz

[Steve Emerson]

Most A and AA have only 2 man crews that travel and work the season together. Not until playoffs do they go to 3 and 4 man.

[Patrick Szalapski]

Originally posted by Steve Emerson
Most A and AA have only 2 man crews that travel and work the season together. Not until playoffs do they go to 3 and 4 man.

Really? Interesting. I've been to AA Eastern League New Britain Rock Cats and independent short season St. Paul Saints games, and they were all 3-man.

P-Sz

[GarthB]

All Single A leagues in the northwest are serviced by two man crews.