My VERY FIRST game....

[w_sohl]

In the boards opinion, what would be best for me to work in my first game, the bases of the plate?

I think that I could work the plate, but I am not sure how well I will see the ball. For example, I have stepped into a fast pitch batting cage (about 6 years ago) and couldn't see the ball to save my life. Is it easier to see the ball when you are behind the catcher as opposed to being in the batters box?

[Mike M]

I would recommend you start on the bases. Besides calling balls and strikes, the plate umpire is the lead umpire on the field. Would you feel comfortable dealing with lineup exhanges, keeping track of lineup changes and dealing with any rules problems. I spent my first year umpiring on the bases and do not regret it one bit.

One thing you can do when you work the bases, is to track the ball to the plate and try to make a ball/strike call from the base positions. It is amazing what you can learn about the strike zone and the reaction from the participants.

Good luck.

[ref5678]

i to feel it is better to start on the bases it gives you a little more time to develop a feeling for the game

[His High Holiness]

Originally posted by w_sohl
In the boards opinion, what would be best for me to work in my first game, the bases of the plate?

I think that I could work the plate, but I am not sure how well I will see the ball. For example, I have stepped into a fast pitch batting cage (about 6 years ago) and couldn't see the ball to save my life. Is it easier to see the ball when you are behind the catcher as opposed to being in the batters box?

With all due respect, I don't think you belong on a baseball field in any capacity as an official - yet.

The place to learn plate umpiring is in the cage, not in a real game. The place to learn base umpiring is on a field of instructors and other student umpires with nary a coach or player to be seen.

Would you want a cop put out on the beat who had never been to rookie school and never fired his weapon? You need to be in school.

Even if this is LL that you undertaking, consider this. The kids have probably spent a half dozen practices with their coach before the first game, learning their skills and learning how to work as a team. Now we throw into the mix a dufus umpire who has done nothing but read an internet board. Is it any wonder that umpires are so roundly criticized and heckled by the participants and fans. With the effort that they have put in, they have a right to expect better from you.

You said yourself that you we unsure that you could even see the ball. Why not spend a few hours in the cage with your equipment on, with an instructor, and learn how to see pitches before you inflict yourself on 18 kids and 4 - 6 coaches who have spend days, months, or years, to learn how to play ball.

If not for them, do it for yourself.

Peter

[Carl Childress]

Likely I'm too late with my opinion, but....

I have been training umpires for more than 30 years. I always assign the PLATE as the first game.

1. Every umpire knows approximately where to stand for calling balls and strikes.

2. Every umpire will instinctively adopt some angle for a play at the plate.

3. Every base umpire (at least everyone assigned to call with a rookie) knows how to protect third base when the UIC forgets (or doesn't know) his duties there.

4. A beginning umpire NEVER looks comfortable on the field: He makes calls on the move, can't find the correct distaince, never knows how to split his responsibilities, generally messes up his timing, etc.

A blown pitch may be simply a matter of opinion. And even a rookie learns quickly to listen to the moans and yells of the fans and players.

A blown coverage of second, or a blown call at first leaves the youngster (of whatever age) twisting in front of God and everybody.

This past week I called with three umpires who were making their maiden voyages in the Starship Umpire.

The games were 10u, all three umpires called the plate, all three umpires did well, for they all three had ample pre-game training, which did include SOME supervised cage work. (That's Peter's big bugbear.)

NEVER, NEVER let an umpire call the bases for his first game. Not even a parent volunteer. The stakes are too high.

[ENelson]

Oh my what a range of responses here. They are all good resons and are all legitimate.

The post about being trianed first is correct if you are afforded the opportunity and the trainer is qualified. You still can not prove yourself until given the opportunity. You can have good mechanics in the cage and then get a batter\catcher\pitcher and suck. Remember it is only a game. Hopefully you do not affect the outcome. A consitently bad umpire is as good as a consitently good umpire. They will swing the bat and adapt to you.

So doing the plate for the first game? You have 300 pitches to call, batting orders, pregame, and the responsibility of being the Umpire in Chief. I would avoid that situation. But if you do succeed more power to you.

Now starting on the bases. You may have 1 or 2 whackers. (Call it out) The rest is learn the positions and hustle. Relax and take your time. Watch the ball. Glance at the runners. And hopefully your partner is a understaing veteran. We call these guys mentors. With a good mentor you can feel comfortable. Talk to one another between innings.

Remember the most important thing about umpiring. "You may go to class and hear the lecture, you may read the book, you may go on the field and do the drills. You will never learn more than learning from your mistakes". Experiencing errors, close calls, timing, rules. You may question your judgement, you may even miss it. Figure out why and do not do it again. In 20 years you should be pretty good. Again it is a game. You are there to maintain a competitive balance this includes errors.