What makes a good umpire?

[Stu Clary]

Without getting too deep or philosophical, what attributes does a good umpire possess?

[Skahtboi]

Well...you have already disqualified all of the good answers.

[DaveASA/FED]

I agree with Scott the real answers are deep and philosophical!!!

But a short list
1) loves the game
2) strives to be the best at what they do
a) willing to keep training
b) willing to keep reading and studying the rules
3) can let things go and learn from their mistakes
4) can turn off their hearing
a) let people bark at you till it gets where it needs to be stopped
b) dont' let things people say make you believe them like "you cost us the game blue"

there is a short list I am sure there are more.....

[NCASAUmp]

Tossing in a few...

A good umpire...
Hustles with purpose.
Does the little things, like arrive with a clean uniform and polished shoes.
Helps out his partners and assignor(s) when they're in a jam.
Does not "expect" the big assignments.

And most of all... Frequents and contributes to this forum!

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Stu Clary

Without getting too deep or philosophical, what attributes does a good umpire possess?

There is a long list; but how about caring, communicating, composure and consistency.

Possibly too "philosophical"; so what Dave said:
- knowledge applied correctly
- judgement (accuracy from focus)
- position (anticipation and hustle)

[DeputyUICHousto]

1. Desire to do the job right.
2. Always trying to get better.
3. HUSTLE!
4. Communication
5. Don't try to be bigger than the game.
6. A Veteran Umpire should always be will to help any umpire but especially new umpires.

I'm sure I've left off some good ones...but...oh well. After 20 years I've probably forgotten a few.

The umpire who makes it his or her mission and passion to "Get It Right!" To me that would cover all the things mentioned in the previous posts.

[bigsig]

How about good eye sight!
Consistancy

[Texasbock]

Picking up the good habits of the ones that have been around. And also picking up on what not to do from the same.

Always look for ways to improve.

Always give the impression that you know what the hell you are doing even when you don't.

Try to have a pleasant disposition. No one likes being around a horse's ***.

Remember that the focus should never be on you.

Hustle and sell the calls that require selling.

[whiskers_ump]

Originally Posted by Texasbock

Picking up the good habits of the ones that have been around. And also picking up on what not to do from the same.

Always look for ways to improve.

Always give the impression that you know what the hell you are doing even when you don't.

Try to have a pleasant disposition. No one likes being around a horse's ***.

Remember that the focus should never be on you.

Hustle and sell the calls that require selling.

All good - however, I really like this one.

Always give the impression that you know what the hell you are doing even when you don't.

[Dholloway1962]

Originally Posted by whiskers_ump

Always give the impression that you know what the hell you are doing even when you don't.

You have that one down to an art, or so I've been told. You stepped into that one!

[robbie]

I think you all tried to be too un-clinical (un-clinical.......... is that a word??)
Bottom line - Get the calls correct. We are paid (or volunteer??) to do a job. That job is to make judgement calls and to apply appropriate rules for the given situation. Our job is to do these 2 things with the highest level of accuracy that is possible.

[socalumps]

Learn ...or develop.... the ability to judge with decernment, wisdom, and fairness.

And.....if assignments are important...the proper affiliation mechanics would be very helpful!!

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by robbie

I think you all tried to be too un-clinical (un-clinical.......... is that a word??)
Bottom line - Get the calls correct. We are paid (or volunteer??) to do a job. That job is to make judgement calls and to apply appropriate rules for the given situation. Our job is to do these 2 things with the highest level of accuracy that is possible.

Perhaps, but just because an umpire gets the calls right doesn't mean they're doing their job right. I'm sure we all know umpires who have great mechanics, judgment and rule knowledge, but screw everything else up on the field.

I think the heart of this conversation is finding out what separates the wheat from the chaff.

[NCASAUmp]

I'm going to throw a couple more things out there...

Don't yell out every call. It looks like you're trying to overcompensate for something else, and if every call is yelled out, what do you have left in your bag for when you need to sell the really close calls?

Honor your commitments at all costs. If you don't want to call on a night you scheduled yourself, then don't accept the assignment to begin with (yeah, we had a no-show last night, leaving an ump by himself).

Remain calm and polite throughout the game, but don't let the players run you. You look more in control if you're cool and calm as opposed to heated.

Remain consistent throughout the game. If you make any changes in how you call, don't do it mid-game, do it the next game. Your strike zone should be the same from the first pitch to the last. Think of it this way. If someone videotaped your game, then chopped it into different segments, someone watching those segments in random order shouldn't be able to pick out the start of the game, middle of the game or end of the game.