What do you do to prepare for Nationals?
 

Ok nationals are coming up, so it got me thinking (there I go working without tools again :eek:) what do you all do to get ready for Nationals? Both mentally as well as getting gear / 'stuff' ready??

Well, as often as you claim to be cleaning the plate on this board, I would think you have a load of plate brushes. ;)

Well, for one, I make sure I have the right uniform as early as possible. Last year, the Nat I was at used the heather greys. This year, I'm at a different tourney, and it's the navy blue pants (Ronald, if you didn't know that already, well... consider it official: we're wearing navy blue pants as per direct communication with the UIC).

I check all of my shirts and make sure they all look sharp, along with buying a new cap and sometimes a new pair of shoes. I break them in by wearing them around the house before ever wearing them outside.

I introduce myself to the UIC and/or umpire coordinator whenever possible/appropriate, especially if they've never met me.

I give the rules and rules supplement one more cover-to-cover reading, along with the umpire manual.

Most importantly, I try to treat every game I do as though it's a National. That way, when I arrive, I've already done my "rehearsals."

Not good as I have one pair of Navy blue and I bought them 3 moons ago. Bull shoot!

Do what dave says and

read case book

read every rules and clarification play from asa website

have master knowledge of definitions - and hope you have sound judgment to go along with it. they are not mutually inclusive.

visualize the tough calls

practice your mechanics in front of a mirror or a sliding door for 10 minutes per day for 1 year:D whatever time frame you need to be picture perfect.

Who is the UIC? Charlie Moss asked me so I assume he is the E UIC but that is an assumption. He could be assistant UIC or in charge of getting the last minute umps from VA area.

I've been working on my game all year to get ready, plus I tolerate you guys year-round to try to learn the rules as much as possible ;) The last two tournies, I've been working a lot of 3 man since my Nat is all 3 man. Me and some other umps going to nats have been splitting the 2 man game fee 3 ways and working 3 man ASA in addition to some of the qualifiers I've worked. We figured that was bettter than someone just working for free on their game off and our UIC let us do it.

But as to just this week, I'm reviewing mechanics, cleaning all my stuff real good, and generally just getting my stuff ready. reDying the N's on my Plate shoes, coloring the W on my mask, stuff like that.

The check equipment light should have turned on some time ago so your should have already taken care of that. The rule klaxon also should have already been silenced. But double check both again.

One thing I did was about a week before; I started to drink only water. Sounds silly, but I was going to an environment that was in the 100's, I am only used to low 80's.

I'm used to 100-110 and even + and always drink 80 oz per day +/-. Hydrate all the time.

Charles has his own National going that weekend. I'll PM you the details...

What do I need a plate brush for? That's why we got shoes isn't it?? Who actually bends over to brush the plate I mean really.:p

I'm going to charles', not yours but at the same city.

Ahhh... Okay. Tell Charles I say hey. :)

read pm. i'm going to salem.

Labor Day weekend? Or another day? I'll be there Labor Day weekend, which is the same day as the Senior Men's National.