Daughter wants to umpire

[WestMichBlue]

Went through this last summer with 16 yo granddaughter. The biggest problem with turning teenage girls (and guys) loose on a field is that they are going to get bullied by adult coaches. Therefore I felt that field decorum, game management, mechanics, appearance, etc. were very important to give her a professional appearance and level of confidence.

Put the equipment on her and spent several hours on a vacant field with friends and siblings to serve as batter, catcher, and pitcher. Worked on calling from the slot; timing, signals, LOUD voice, hustle, etc. etc.

Appearance is going to be a problem; try getting a teen girl to wear long pants (not jeans) and a belt for the ball bag.

Unfortunately, I did not get on the field with her. Had my own games to cover; but usually could get back for the last inning or two. Typical teenager; did not want coaching (critique, corrections) from behind the fence between innings.

Even though she started out very confident, she could not handle the abuse and hassles from the coaches and she gave it up.

Like your daughter, Tom, she has decided to give up softball this year. Michigan allows HS Juniors to umpire under their "Legacy" program; work with a mentor in sub-varsity games only. I wanted her to do that with me this year and learn how to umpire at a higher level. Plus earn some good money the rest of HS and through college. But she is still a little bitter over last year and won't do it. Maybe next year.

WMB

Based on my experience, I strongly recommend that the adult work with the teen ump to protect them from the coaches. No coach is going to hassle a young ump when I am on the field. But put two teen age girls out there and coaches are going to be on them all the time, telling them the rules (at least their version of the rules); and how to make calls.