PREVENTATIVE OFFICIATING

[FUBLUE]

Umpiring brothers and sisters,

The best teacher is experience, but knowing a few preventative measures helps also. I am a co-leader of the local high school officials association (serving about 70 schools) and wanted to know what you all know.

My question: what are some examples of preventative officiating you have used in the past? With coaches? With players? With partners?

Here's an example: If I haven't worked with my partner before, we hold a pregame meeting. During the game, we constantly have visual contact. When teams take conferences, or between inning, or whenever possible, we'll talk about possible plays and coverages. EX: runners on 3B and 1B, no outs. Close game, time is called defensively. I'll meet with my partner up third baseline to discuss (reminder) of fly-ball coverage, run-down coverage, etc., that may happen in game.

Please, share with us your "methods."