Pre-Game

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

How long before the game are your HS and NCAA officials requied to be at the field? Maybe I am misinterpreting your answer but ime, especially with HS games starting at 1800hrs +/-, most umpires have to hustle from work to make game time.lol

My comment was meant to infer that I will take my pre-games more seriously this year. After being out of the country for so long, many faces have changed and I am working with a new assignor. I would rather spend ten minutes covering pre-game than a half hour writing reports or discussing how we could have prevented a fire. Most of the guys here have given the basics and I would probably spend a minute or two simply getting comfortable with my partner(s) experience level. In Illinois we have three designations - Registered, Recognized and Certified. I learned long ago that some X's are far better than some C's. Some guys stay at the lowest designation because they work full collegiate schedules and just a handful of HS games. A couple former MiLB guys are in the same boat. I take nothing for granted any more - the new breed of umpires seem to be light years ahead of where I was at their age and it makes me glad to have them on the field with me.

I try to get to the field an hour prior to game start. That allows me to unwind, converse with partner(s) and find a place to keep my 44 year old prostate content. It's hell getting old!