How do you deal with counseling/critiquing newer umps?

[PeteBooth]

=aceholleran]I am a so-called "umpire consultant" for LL in my area. I am by far the guy with most time logged in, but stepped down as UIC/assignor some years ago.


HOWEVER, the toughest (by far) pernt to get across is attire and overall appearance. It takes five minutes to shine your kicks. Plate pants look like $h!t on the bases. What's a flex belt?

You are talking LL, so if these guys/gals are not paid, where do you expect them to get money from to look "professional" ? Gas is $3.00/gallon these days.

Pants cost in the neigborhood of $45.00 per pair Cheap Plate shoes are around $50.00 and that's not counting equipment, and shirts.

Therefore, unless these men / women get paid or the leagues "kick in" for equipment, pants, shirts et al. there is not too much you can do about the attire issue.

Pete Booth

[BigUmp56]

I don't think yours is a sound argument, Pete. Most who umpire LL that I know do it for the love of the game, but first and foremost as a hobby. Some people golf, some people fish, and some people umpire in their spare time as a way to entertain themselves. All come with a price tag if you're going to be any good at them.



Tim.

I would suggest that when you start out with your critique that you say something to the effect of:

Let's start with the stuff I had a problem with and end with the good stuff I have for you.

Contrary to popular belief, if you start with good stuff, then move on the bad stuff, all of the good stuff will be forgotten. If you actually care about these people getting better, have them leave the critique with all the good things they did that day in their mind, not leaving with everything they did wrong.

Also, the "mix it up" approach doesn't work so well either.

Just get the bad stuff out of the way, but make sure you tell them up front that you seen a lot of good things from them that you will get to after you talk about the things that were not so good. Believe me, people respond favorably to this approach and they will leave the meeting with a good impression of you.

I take different approaches to each person, depending upon how long they have been around, past experiences with them, and what I know of THEIR desire to improve.

Like yesterday, I worked with a veteran up. Been around about as long as me, doing the same levels of ball. I know from past experiences that no matter what I bring up he will have an excuse. Thus, I offer NOTHING to him. If he asks, I still don't offer anything (he hasn't asked in a couple of years now...LOL )

Now, on the other hand, about a week and half ago, I worked with a guy, about a 12th year guy. Does pretty good. Solid. Makes good decisions. I knew I didn't need to wait for him to ask for anything because I know he constantly is working on his craft. He listens carefully. Engages in meaningful discussion about what I bring up. He thanks me, and usually, the next time I see him work, he has worked on those things.

A couple of weeks ago, I worked with a guy who I think really needs a lot of work. In the past, I have offered up stuff to him, and he seems to take it well. But, what I noticed is that he has not changed one single thing yet! I know that other guys have said similar things to him, and yet, all these years later he still has some glaring problems. I can only think he does not care enough to change. So, even when he asks, I don't cover most things with him, because I know I would be wasting my breath.

So, I can only say that just be careful about what you offer up. I just know from experience that if a person is making excuses for what they did "wrong" or are not open to maybe improving their "style", they probably never will be. Also, if a guy has listened to what you say and agrees, yet next time you see them they are still doing/not doing that stuff, they probably don't care enough to work on it, and possibly you have not hit on their particular motivation factor to affect that change.

I am the type that I want it all from somebody. If I was doing something wrong, I for sure want to know about it. If somebody has a problem with my "style" I want to know that too! It is surprising how much you can learn about how you are percieved from seemingly little comments from the most unlikely of people!

[njdevs00cup]

Originally Posted by rei

A couple of weeks ago, I worked with a guy who I think really needs a lot of work. In the past, I have offered up stuff to him, and he seems to take it well. But, what I noticed is that he has not changed one single thing yet! I know that other guys have said similar things to him, and yet, all these years later he still has some glaring problems. I can only think he does not care enough to change. So, even when he asks, I don't cover most things with him, because I know I would be wasting my breath.

So, I can only say that just be careful about what you offer up. I just know from experience that if a person is making excuses for what they did "wrong" or are not open to maybe improving their "style", they probably never will be. Also, if a guy has listened to what you say and agrees, yet next time you see them they are still doing/not doing that stuff, they probably don't care enough to work on it, and possibly you have not hit on their particular motivation factor to affect that change.

I am the type that I want it all from somebody. If I was doing something wrong, I for sure want to know about it. If somebody has a problem with my "style" I want to know that too! It is surprising how much you can learn about how you are percieved from seemingly little comments from the most unlikely of people!

Advice, like umpires, can be both good and bad! If you're judging new umpires based on you telling them something and expecting them to put it into practice the next time you see them, I disagree. Many guys have been taught incorrectly and it takes a long time to unlearn! You've got to remember, the partner this guy worked with before you could have told him ten things to work on, which he was doing.

When I started three years ago, I would ask my partner to tell me if I could improve. I realize now, not all the advice I was given was very good.

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

Advice, like umpires, can be both good and bad! If you're judging new umpires based on you telling them something and expecting them to put it into practice the next time you see them, I disagree. Many guys have been taught incorrectly and it takes a long time to unlearn! You've got to remember, the partner this guy worked with before you could have told him ten things to work on, which he was doing.

When I started three years ago, I would ask my partner to tell me if I could improve. I realize now, not all the advice I was given was very good.

I am a "trainer" in our association, and am 100% on board and inline with all the things we want taught and expect from new umpires. Everybody knows this.

I have no problems expecting a newer umpire to work on stuff I have given them to work on and seeing it applied the next time I work with them. I don't think, after many discussion about this vary stuff, the rest of our training cadre have a problem with that either.