Newbie trying to learn as much as possible

[SE Minnestoa Re]

Slow down--almost all young umpires are way too quick with their calls

[ontheway]

Originally Posted by SE Minnestoa Re

Slow down--almost all young umpires are way too quick with their calls

thanks to all for your advice i will certainly use it.

minnesota how do you "slow down" im a basketball official as well and im used to bang bang calls just now moving up in officiating learning how to let the play "develop" any more advice is greatly appreciated

[argodad]

Best advice is SLOW DOWN.

Secondly, keep the willing-to-learn attitude.

Thirdly, work on one or two things every game that will make you a better umpire.

Fourthly(?), hit this forum regularly. These folks are the tops on line.

[Stu Clary]

All the above. Plus, dress properly. If you're dressed like an umpire when you walk on the field you've already done one thing right.

[Gulf Coast Blue]

Originally Posted by ontheway

thanks to all for your advice i will certainly use it.

minnesota how do you "slow down" im a basketball official as well and im used to bang bang calls just now moving up in officiating learning how to let the play "develop" any more advice is greatly appreciated

Just because a play is bang-bang does not mean that your call has to be.

The only time you can get away with rushing a call is on a safe play at first. If you are really concentrating and you know the runner beat the throw by a whisker......you can go on ahead and make a "sell safe" call. You still have to call it after the runner has touched first though............

Everyone here has seen umpires who call balls and strikes before they are in the catcher's mitt. Pause and rethink what you saw and then make your call.

If it is a close out, you might pause for just a bit while rewinding in your head and then make the sell out call. Remember......never guess an out....think it over for just a second. Then make the call.

Joel

[DeputyUICHousto]

1. Fair Ball

2. Foul Ball

3. Infield Fly Rule

4. Interference

5. Obstruction

Know these 5 things backward and forward...know how to recognize each...know how to apply the rule for each...and know how to explain them to a coach/player.

These 5 things occur repeatedly in almost every single softball game whether is slow pitch or fast pitch.

And while "fair" and "foul" might seem to be overly simplistic, I've seen umpires screw these two calls up more times than I'd like to recall.

If you're calling fast pitch you might also want to add Dropped Third Strike and also the Look Back Rule.

Good luck.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by DeputyUICHousto

1. Fair Ball

2. Foul Ball

3. Infield Fly Rule

4. Interference

5. Obstruction

Know these 5 things backward and forward...know how to recognize each...know how to apply the rule for each...and know how to explain them to a coach/player.

These 5 things occur repeatedly in almost every single softball game whether is slow pitch or fast pitch.

And while "fair" and "foul" might seem to be overly simplistic, I've seen umpires screw these two calls up more times than I'd like to recall.

If you're calling fast pitch you might also want to add Dropped Third Strike and also the Look Back Rule.

Good luck.

Great list...I'd add the Illegal Pitch Rule for both FP&SP softball.

[KJUmp]

Timing, timing, timing.
Work on developing good timing. Good timing is what slows you down. Good timing is what sells the call for you. Good timing helps your judgement. Good timing is what will help make you a good umpire.
Welcome to umpiring and the forum. Good luck.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by ontheway

thanks to all for your advice i will certainly use it.

minnesota how do you "slow down" im a basketball official as well and im used to bang bang calls just now moving up in officiating learning how to let the play "develop" any more advice is greatly appreciated

A couple of things come to mind:

1 - I always assume the fielder WILL drop the ball, and it's up to them to prove to me they have it. This keeps me from rushing my "out!" calls.

2 - In slow pitch, wait until the catcher has the ball before you call "ball" or "strike." Once it hits the ground beyond the plate, wait 1 second and then make your call. Get into a rhythm.

[tcannizzo]

For part of your game management skills watch a few episodes of Dog Whisperer. When you watch Felix in action with a bad dog, imagine the dog as a coach. Dog Whisperer becomes Coach Whisperer.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

For part of your game management skills watch a few episodes of Dog Whisperer. When you watch Felix in action with a bad dog, imagine the dog as a coach. Dog Whisperer becomes Coach Whisperer.

You mean Cesar.

And actually, yes... I have tried a few of these techniques on both coaches and school principals.

[TwoBits]

Read this:

Top Baseball/Softball Rules Myths, 2011 Edition

It only covers the NFHS softball rules set, (not ASA or USSSA) but does have enough information for anyone new to officiating the sport to get you thinking.

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

You mean Cesar.

And actually, yes... I have tried a few of these techniques on both coaches and school principals.

His last name is Millan.
I flashed back to Felix Millan - NY Mets

[MD Longhorn]

Going along with the SLOW DOWN and the Fair/Foul...

The ball's not foul until it's foul. A moving ball that has not struck anyone (player, coach, ump) or anything (fence, net) or gone out of play is just a moving ball.

Yeah... it looks foul ... and it's gonna stay foul... OH NO!

Most foul balls don't need to be "called" anyway.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by ontheway

thanks to all for your advice i will certainly use it.

minnesota how do you "slow down" im a basketball official as well and im used to bang bang calls just now moving up in officiating learning how to let the play "develop" any more advice is greatly appreciated

On the basketball court, we teach to not anticipate a play or a call, but to get in position, SEE THE PLAY, then put air in your whistle, or not, as needed.

Same philosophy in softball...get in position, SEE THE PLAY, make the call.