Umpire evaluations

[Rcichon]

Please explain the 'Little League Crease'.
Is this a crease down the middle or more like a 'Western Fold'?

[DonInKansas]

In management training, I learned to start and end an evaluation with something positive. This way the meeting starts and ends well.

You all might gripe about evaluators, but I've never had an "official" evaluation. I have to count on more experienced partners and sites like this to better myself as an official.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Rcichon

Please explain the 'Little League Crease'.
Is this a crease down the middle or more like a 'Western Fold'?

I've never heard the phrase "Little League Crease". I've heard Western Fold, Califrornia fold, AAA fold; and I've heard it expressed with "fold" substituted with "roll."

I assume "Little League Crease" is meant as a derogatory term.

I haven't seen a MiLB umpire, A, AA or AAA without it for at least the last ten years. As occurs with many things, it has spread to the amateur ranks. Mny of the D-1 umpires at Regionals, Super Regionals and the CWS had thier caps so styled.

[johnnyg08]

are you referring to the creased bill? that's old school

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by beachbum

It's is a given that all officials strive to improve their game

You wish.
This isn't a given for anyone being evaluated on anything...whether it's McDonald's workers, umpires, or the top dog of JP Morgan Chase.

[UmpJM]

In my association, there is a "voluntary" evaluation program.

If you want one, you sign up on our website, and it costs $20. If you sign up, you get a 2nd evaluation "free". You pick the game you want evaluated, and if an evaluator is available, they "take" it. If not, you pick another date.

The write up of the evaluation ONLY go to the person being evaluated.

In the two years I have been with the association, I have had three evaluations done through this program. They were done by three different experienced guys who are all well thought of in the association.

I was surprised by the thoroughness and specific detail in the evaluations I received. I found them extremely useful and an excellent "investment". They primarily focused on area of improvement, but there were some positive comments as well. I don't think anyone was particularly concerned with my "feelings" while doing the writeup.

The leadership of the association is somewhat frustrated that more members don't take advantage of the program. More should.

JM

[Kevin Finnerty]

Charging to get evaluated?

Its poor response is built into the cost. It should be $0.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

In my association, there is a "voluntary" evaluation program.

If you want one, you sign up on our website, and it costs $20. If you sign up, you get a 2nd evaluation "free". You pick the game you want evaluated, and if an evaluator is available, they "take" it. If not, you pick another date.

The write up of the evaluation ONLY go to the person being evaluated.

In the two years I have been with the association, I have had three evaluations done through this program. They were done by three different experienced guys who are all well thought of in the association.

I was surprised by the thoroughness and specific detail in the evaluations I received. I found them extremely useful and an excellent "investment". They primarily focused on area of improvement, but there were some positive comments as well. I don't think anyone was particularly concerned with my "feelings" while doing the writeup.

The leadership of the association is somewhat frustrated that more members don't take advantage of the program. More should.

JM

If I had to guess, it sounds like maybe it's an external group doing this...probably outside of the association. If my guess is correct, it's really not different than paying to go to a camp, plus you get live game action. I agree, I'd rather not pay $20...but if in your area, that's the only formal evaluation you can get from a competent evaluator, and you're interested in improving...why not?

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

In my association, there is a "voluntary" evaluation program.

If you want one, you sign up on our website, and it costs $20. If you sign up, you get a 2nd evaluation "free". You pick the game you want evaluated, and if an evaluator is available, they "take" it. If not, you pick another date.

The write up of the evaluation ONLY go to the person being evaluated.

In the two years I have been with the association, I have had three evaluations done through this program. They were done by three different experienced guys who are all well thought of in the association.

I was surprised by the thoroughness and specific detail in the evaluations I received. I found them extremely useful and an excellent "investment". They primarily focused on area of improvement, but there were some positive comments as well. I don't think anyone was particularly concerned with my "feelings" while doing the writeup.

The leadership of the association is somewhat frustrated that more members don't take advantage of the program. More should.

JM

We have a similar system, but....

Each umpire receives one evaluation at no cost as part of the association's efforts to track performance. If, however, an umpire would like an additional evaluation for any reason, he would pay a sum equal to half his game fee which would to the evaluator to compensate for travel expenses and forfeting the opportunity to work his own game.

Most of those who take advantage of this opportunity are in the lower two ratings classification. Some are experienced members looking to take the step to college ball. We get maybe 20 such requests a year.

[Aging_Arbiter]

Does anyone have an "umpires need to dress this way" reference (or authority) stating that windbreakers need to be tucked in?

[tballump]

Are we going to start talking about belly-buttons or tallywhackers along with this inies/outies jacket thing?? I believe someone went to a clinic with Ed Rapuano where he was bustin on the inies. Then someone pulled up an old Ken Kaiser picture (Kevin was that you) where he was an inie.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Aging_Arbiter

Does anyone have an "umpires need to dress this way" reference (or authority) stating that windbreakers need to be tucked in?

Lots of us have one. But, it only applies to the games / areas we work -- there is nothing from FED or NCAA that applies nationally on this.