What makes a good umpire?
 

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

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

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

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.....

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!

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)

Makings of a Good Umpire
 

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.

How about good eye sight!
Consistancy

What makes a good umpire?
 

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.

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

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.

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!!

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.

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.

OK, that did it. I am retiring. :D

See...you are waxing philosophical now.

I like these 3 points. I think #1 is very valid only sell what you have to, routine out call should almost be signal only, very little verbal needed again we don't need to be noticed all the time!

#2 is also a very big thing that can get you into trouble...if you CAN'T be somewhere you promised to be....and I have been sent out of country for emergency work things so it does happen.....FIND A REPLACEMENT....I worked my butt off (ok not all of it) to find people to cover my games the week I got forced to leave town, but all my games were covered before I left. But I know people that will take games then try to get out of them if a "better" game comes along on that date. Thats BS take what you agreed to do.....ok I am getting into bi*ching instead of the intent of the OP, I'll stop now

#3 I think this is paramount in officiating you have to be able to stay calm, listen to an idiot that does not know the rules and let it slide off your back and go back to work. Like I was told years ago, Never argue with an idiot they will just bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience! Yet I see umpires that want to prove to the other guy they are right, and will get elevated in tone, demeaner and attitude...the old guy thing I have to prove mine is bigger than yours. That's stupid, and gets you know where in this game, or alot of times in life! Great thing about officiating is you have the final say, you and your partner are the only ones that are guarenteed to be there at the end of the game. If the coach or player gets past your line, you can releave them of their stress by letting them go home early! So theirs might be bigger but it's not allowed back on the field!!

There may be a philosophical element to “Get It Right!” but to me it is a matter of attitude and refers to striving to be proficient in all aspects of umpiring, not just getting the calls right or being in the right place to make calls or the right signals to use. It encompasses everything including dress, protection, demeanor, safety, rules knowledge and applications, mechanics and signals knowledge, handling situations, attending clinics (where and/or when available), support for and from your fellow blues, honor, trust, commitment, even-handed firmness and fairness, et cetera. A laundry list could be compiled and every item on it would go back to doing what is necessary to “Get It Right!”

And I agree with this philosophy.

Nothing Angers me more than...
 

having an umpire tell you they will work your tournament only to show up Saturday morning to tell you they have to leave by 2pm...when I tell someone I'm going to work for them I'm there (unless I've told them up front) until they tell me they no longer need me.

Unfortunately, this is the norm with some people. Problem that is more of an issue is that you need that umpire so bad, you don't always have that much of a choice.

In some areas, the days of "dawn until whenever we get done" are long gone.

A good umpire...
 

...leaves the kitchen timer in the kitchen.


:D ;)

Of course the wife is in the kitchen - unless she's cleaning or getting a cold drink for me - where else would she be:D

(Definitely not looking over my shoulder - that's for sure)

Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah.... :D

I can see we need to have words.....about five minutes worth...I'll time it! :)

No problem... I read slow...

:p

I just realized what makes a good umpire...
 

After 20 years of calling fast and slow, it has finally occured to me what makes a good umpire.

ANYONE WHO CAN STAY ON A BALLFIELD AND TAKE ALL OF THE CRAP FROM COACHES, PARENTS AND PLAYER!

20 years? Rookie!

Thanks Irish
 

I appreciate your kind words!