I review the line-ups and ask for verification.
I cover the ground rules for that field.
Remind them of any recent "local" rule changes.
Ask if there are any questions.
Flip a coin if necessary.

That's it.

interesting reading ... as always

here's one for you all ... when you introduce yourself, do you state your name ?

i don't

i usually just say "I'm your plate ump for this game ..." and then do the special playing rules like others have suggested. (e.g. In some divisions, all the girls bat, so I'll mention that rule where applicable. Or, the younger girls don't use the drop 3rd strike rule, so I say that.)

anyway, someone suggested to me that it's better to keep your name out of it as best you can

... that's my 2 cents .... bob

Yes, I introduce myself and my partner by name.

I also introduce the crew by name. I wonder what the motive is to try to be anonymous?

We're so small in Delaware, they know our names (not always a good thing :) ), so it isn't necessary from the State level down.

Re: My strike zone thoughts..
 

Wade-in, I deleted a bunch of your post (above)...

Your zone sounds fine. Whatever you are going to do, do it, and do it consistently throughout the game. BUT THERE IS NO NEED TO DISCUSS IT during the pregame. Just do it.

If you discuss how you are going to call something, you are going to get caught somewhere, sometime. There are always the gray areas and your gray areas are different than the coach's. Even after you have explained yours during the pregame, his are still different. You are going to see a pitch and call it the way you saw it and the coach is going to come unglued because he saw it different and feels it is different from the way you explained you were going to call it.

If you explain how you are going to call something during the game, you are setting yourself up for pain. You've got the rules in your head; just enforce them. Don't give the coach any opportunity to preconceive anything; just call your game.

JMHO :D

here's one for you all ... when you introduce yourself, do you state your name ?


Last BB clinic I attended taught by MLB Blues, they suggested when discussing play with coaches call them by name. That seems a bit personal to me, I would prefer to call them "coach".

I do want them to know my name, and want to know their names also. Unles we are mutually acquainted, I will introduce myself by name.

I can understand that, if you are calling in the majors. That would be the same thing as being in business and talking to a coworker in another department.

Intro's
 

I always use my name in intro.

It doesnt matter... in the game the terms used are still invariably "Blue" / "Coach" etc.. Coaches like to be called coach, its their title.

Some good points made about telling coaches I want the girls swinging... I think I will remove that from my pregame meet up in all future games.

Cant wait for the season to start!

Ooohhhh
 

And, "Are your players all properly equipped?"

In addition to other things, this means "NO JEWELRY" because that/jewelry would be improper.

In Indiana, the High School Coaches vote for the umpires that apply to work the state finals...so you almost MUST introduce yourself by name. I say it very clearly, and make sure that I state who is working what position. I try to remember all coaches names...I've done enough in this area that unless they are new, we probably know each other. I still do give the introductions though.

I never discuss my zone...people know my zone...it's legendary (at least in my mind). If a coach asks a catcher to ask me where a pitch was, then I'll tell the catcher. But coach isn't going to do this every pitch, just the "close ones".

I don't call a coach by name, unless they call me by name. I let them make the first move...that way, it's them wanting to use the names instead of "blue" and "coach".

"what do you discuss with the coaches pregame?"

Depends on the game. In the local youth Rec Leagues, where the same teams play each other on the same fields twice a week before the same umpires, after the first couple weeks they all know the local rules and the ground rules, so lets introduce, shake hands, and play ball.

In my men's and women's FP leagues, where many of the same players have been playing for 10 years or more, we don't even have pre-games. Just send them on the field and get the games going.

High School is a different story. In nearly all of 50+ games both I and the visiting team are probably at this particular field for the first time. Even though I may have been at this school before, it probably was not the same team (Var vs JV or FR). Thus the pre-game is going to be much more formal and much longer.

All the things previously mentioned:
Introductions
Line up cards
Properly equiped?
Ground rules
Game lengths, time between DH, weather conditions, etc.
Early in the season discuss new rules or special emphasis.
And - Always - Required "no taunting, positive sportsmanship" statement.
Then - Play ball!

WMB

As pertaining to calling a player or coach by name.

If you know both teams and they know you, that is one thing. If this is not the case, the perception that you are the "other guy's" friend will appear quickly in the opposing team's mind if they hear you refer or call a coach or player by name. Remember, reality isn't always good enough, perception rules.

I try to avoid it unless it is essential I get their attention immediately and they are not responding to anything else (jersey #, position, etc.).

Please don't legislate/redesign the strike zone. Call it as defined with a little spread if both pitchers are really bad.
Keep the pregame to things that vary from game to game and not book rules. That way, you are not implying they are your rules. Checking if anyone has questions on rule change the first week is part of "things that vary from game to game".

After discussion...
 

I agreed that I should not do that during the pregame meet.. and I wont for now on (a good reason this forum is a help to those of us not as experienced as some here) .. however

----------------------------------------------
Cecil Said: Please don't legislate/redesign the strike zone. Call it as defined with a little spread if both pitchers are really bad.
----------------------------------------------

by advocating a "little spread" under a certain circumstance, the two sentences appear to me to be inconsistent..

I think an ump can have a wide strike zone as long he is consistent. I don't feel I am legislating or redesigning anything; especially considering how common it is at 14U to provide a decent strike zone. I dont feel I go to far at all...