Newbie trying to learn as much as possible

[NDblue]

Originally Posted by Gulf Coast Blue

Don't get defensive

Here's a big one. Don't get defensive with players either. You need to have thick skin and selective hearing especially in men's SP. Don't let them get in your head or under your skin. Makes for a very long evening or day of softball.

The only other thing I have to add is "HAVE FUN". It's just a game.

[dilligaf]

I agree with what has been posted. The biggest thing I get from players is a comment on how well I hustle to cover a play. Way too many umpires in the SP league I work in make almost every call from behind the plate. Anticipate where the play will be and get there as quick as you can. You may kick a call every now and then but trust me, you will get much less argument if you are out there in position to make the call.

The post on the 5 topics above is very good as well. Those are the calls you will make 95% of the time. The rest will come as you review the rule book and by doing games. If you make a mistake, take the time to learn from it. Don't beat yourself up if you do. Just keep it in your memory bank for future reference.

I enjoy umpiring very much and as a fellow 3 year newbie I almost always learn something, both good or bad, from the people I work with almost every game.

Have a great time.

[gsf23]

Originally Posted by dilligaf

I agree with what has been posted. The biggest thing I get from players is a comment on how well I hustle to cover a play. Way too many umpires in the SP league I work in make almost every call from behind the plate. Anticipate where the play will be and get there as quick as you can. You may kick a call every now and then but trust me, you will get much less argument if you are out there in position to make the call.
The post on the 5 topics above is very good as well. Those are the calls you will make 95% of the time. The rest will come as you review the rule book and by doing games. If you make a mistake, take the time to learn from it. Don't beat yourself up if you do. Just keep it in your memory bank for future reference.

I enjoy umpiring very much and as a fellow 3 year newbie I almost always learn something, both good or bad, from the people I work with almost every game.

Have a great time.

Agree with that. The first year I umped, I had a bang-bang play at third, called the runner safe, the third baseman looked up, saw that I was on top of the play and says, "It's a good thing you are standing right there blue or we'd be arguing right now." Then he tossed the ball back to the pitcher and didn't say another word.

[DeputyUICHousto]

Don't take your eyes off the ball. Nothing can happen with out it...See Bernie Profato school of umpiring...

I learned how to do an over hand out at NUS when he was an instructor.

And that is over simplified...but its true. "nothing can happen without the ball"