First Game
 

I have my first game tomorrow. ASA FP. Any words of wisdom\advise?

S...L...O...W D...O...W...N

Biggest issue I find with rookies is the tendency to rush their calls and mechanics.

Otherwise, ENJOY IT and learn!

Truer words can not be said. Remember a Umpire observes what has happened and reports. Only in a few cases do we stop play to report what has happened, so that means we got time. See it, pause, report it.

Man, we all remember that first game, mine was over 16 years ago; I still remember.

Have fun
Bugg

Take aspirins beforehand and use gold bond powder. ;):D
ohhh yeah... slowdown, relax and be alert.

Wow, I wish I could remember my first game. Hell, many on this board weren't even born yet!

And don't OO (over officiate), just call what you have to. :cool:

You can look for trouble next year. ;) :D

I would like to second this - dont dig up a rule and run out there to look to enforce it. Take it easy, relax. PLENTY of time to cause yourself grief, so dont rush that.

This is a great resource for learning the ins and out so...

Welcome!

What age group/type of play (tournament "A"/"B" ball, rec league, etc)?

Heck, Mike, you're fast approaching the time when you'll wish you could remember yesterday's game... ;)

"Don't go looking for trouble. You'll find plenty of it without looking."

My favorite line in the manual. :D

Huh?:confused::mad::(:o

Yeah....don't screw up! :eek::D










I'm kidding....not much to add to what you already have.

Come back tomorrow and let us know how it went.

Oh yeah, if you have plate, wear as much gear as you can get, including the mask for the first pitch. :D

Think ahead, what are the likely next plays.

If you miss a call, let it go, "coach, sorry I missed it"

Just have fun!
Do the things as you've learned them, but the most important thing is: HAVE FUN!!!

You can't do this job without having fun: If you don't like it, you can't umpire! But if you like umpiring, you can't help yourself for having fun...

Wednesday eveing I was PU while our national team played a practice game against our National <21 squad. I've had lots of fun. Couldn't do my job well without it...

I'm out of the sport at the moment my fun is run out:(

Let the game come to you....it will help you in following the advice the other posters have given you regarding:
1)Slowing down
2)Relaxing
3)Having fun
Good luck...let us know how it went.

It all went OK. It was a DH which I was not expecting but it all worked out. One thing I need to work on, and I am sure it will come with more experience, is my strike zone. My partner said I had a good grasp of it but I missed some. I also need to work on my signals. I was in the right place but my signals could be sharper. It is U12 Fastpitch and both games ended by the 15 run rule.

Thanks to all on this Forum, I have learn A TON for you guys!!

Understand the rules and proper umpire mechanics.
Have a good pregame and post game conversation with your partner.
Take pride in your uniform.
Hustle on every play.

Zone and mechanics will come.

Sounds like ya done good.

So now you can get to work ;)

Start with calling it by softball terms.

U12 may be correct in soccer, basketball , and elsewhere.

Softball has 12U.

I'm glad someone said this one. I think this one is too frequently overlooked, especially in rec ball umpires. It makes umpires look sloppy. Personally, I wish my assignor would require all umpires use Fechheimer pants, but that's just me. Look sharp out there, damn it! :)

Assuming you are working the slot, and not hiding behind the catcher, here are some pointers that will help that come together. Set your eyes at the top of the zone (I use the bottom of the sternum). That way, anything above eye level is automatically a ball. Set your right ear even with the plate (on right handed batters, left ear on left.) You now have set your inside zone. Make sure that you can clearly see the outside corner of the plate when you go set behind the catcher. This will help you see the outside well. The hardest part to learn is the bottom of the zone. In time you will set that yourself.

Also, track the ball from the pitcher's hand all the way into the catcher's glove with your nose. Don't try to "snapshot" the strike zone, this will never work. Watch the ball all the way, and you should be able to determine much easier when it does and doesn't pass through the zone.

I've never lost a game.

Yeah, I just checked my umpiring record, and I'm still undefeated. :D

Oh yeah,

Undefeated right here.

Mad skillz baby!

Wow. Me too. I am undefeated at this point!

Not me (according to coaches and fans, I've "lost" a bunch of games)! :rolleyes: