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INTEGRITY

A great umpire is the last guardian of honesty in athletics. He must maintain a complete absence of bias. We can read almost daily of coaches, players and boosters engaging in illegal activities. Umpires should not be accused of any kind of dishonest or deceitful conduct. An umpire holds a special position in the world of sports. If you aspire to be a great umpire, you must never put yourself in a position where your integrity could be questioned.

SIMPLE ADVICE

If there is any possibility of a conflict of interest, don’t work the game

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HUSTLE. Since umpiring is a game of angles, positioning is very important. It’s the only way to see the entire play and make the correct call.

COURAGE. Regardless of the situation, personalities involved, pressures from the crowd of possible repercussions, great officials place fairness above all other concerns. They act courageously and prepared to face difficult situations without any fear.

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JUDGEMENT. Great judgement is a byproduct of effort and experience. It goes beyond the rulebook and includes an almost instinctive ability to apply the critical principal of “advantage/disadvantage.” When you see a play, in virtually every circumstance, if there is no advantage gain and if no player has been put at a disadvantage there should be no call. Simply put: No harm, no foul.

Umpiring is meant to keep the game fair. The purpose of the rules is to penalize a player who by reason of an illegal act has placed his opponent at a disadvantage. One of the most important principal for an umpire to keep in mind is not every infraction that occurs need to be call.

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JUDGEMENT CONT:

In theory, an umpire’s only objective is to umpire the game according to the rules. However, if an umpire called every violation and applies every rule to the letter of the law, the game would not be as we know it today.

Good preventative officiating is when an umpire uses tools to be proactive in addressing potential situations by talking to players and avoiding calling everything that happens. Effective umpire management can help maintain the rhythm of the game. Always work to keep the game going without unnecessary stoppage.

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JUDGEMENT CONT:��The umpire is the final authority. Umpires are reminded not to put their pride above the correct call. The ultimate decision-maker as to whether a call will be changed is the umpire who made the call. Umpires may not “criticize, seek to reverse or interfere with another umpire’s decision” unless the umpire making the call asks for his opinion. Umpires are encouraged to avoid placing their pride over their commitment to make the correct and fair decision.

�Discussions between umpires must take place away from the coaches and players. Umpires are not to seek help on plays on which they are 100 percent confident in their judgement and view of a play. Managers are not entitled to a second opinion when the calling umpire is certain his/her decision is correct. Asking for help is a courtesy.

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COMMUNICATION. Basically, communication means, “Can you deal with people?” Can you deal with coaches and players during the game? Communication can be accomplished in many ways and in most cases the situation will dictate your appropriate response. Sometimes a simple response to the question is a one word answer or a look can communicate what is needed at a particular time. Saying the right thing to the right person at the right time can help one avoid potential problems in a game. Communication is also the knowledge of when it’s best not to say anything.

Information Available: The game umpire indicates to his/her partner that he/she has some information that is relevant by tapping two times over his/her left chest (heart).

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TEAMWORK. Most people think two teams are required for a competition. Umpires know better. It takes three – teams scheduled to take the field, plus the team of umpires. Umpires should always be ready to look out for each other give needed support at the appropriate time.

If the situation i.e. the argument starts getting heated between the coach and your partner, get close enough to the discussion so you can hear what is being said and so you can intervene at the right moment. Don’t become part of the discussion. Your partner should be able to handle a one-on-one with a coach. Keep all other coaches and players away from the discussion. But when there is and ejection or it’s obvious a end to the conversation, step in and get the coach and your partner apart.

Never offer your opinion unless your partner request it. Come to the field together and leave the field together.

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CONSISTENCY. Young umpires and some older umpires have more difficulty with consistency than any other quality. The great umpires are unrelenting in their judgement. They see and call a game better than their colleagues. The key is to make the same call on the same kind of play whether it’s in the first inning of the game or the score is tied in the bottom of seven inning. If they believe an umpire is consistent, coaches and players will adjust accordingly. Inconsistent decisions on similar plays trigger negative behavior and poor sportsmanship among players, and invite criticism from coaches and fans.

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COMMON SENSE. Of the qualities discussed previously, common sense is the most important. That which is fair and right must take precedence throughout each game. Common sense ensures that fairness, understanding, and the best interests of the game are foremost in the mind of a great umpire. If you truly understand the spirit and intent of the rules, common sense will guide you well.

There are plenty game situations that are not specifically covered by rules or mechanics. That’s when common sense goes hand in hand with communication and dealing with coaches and players. It helps determine how to handle a tough situation whether enforcement is warranted or not (maybe a warning issued or stop it I saw what you did, I heard that).

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FRATERNIZING. Simple – DON’T DO IT! You may think that being seen with a coach or player is harmless. You may think that laughing and joking with one coach or player and not the others prior to a game is innocent. You may think that putting your arm around a player’s shoulder to explain a simple rule can’t hurt. Unfortunately, perception becomes reality. Your actions are seen and read within the context of the person observing your actions.

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ADDITIONAL MANAGEMENT TIPS:

Umpires must first learn to manage their own behavior
Good umpires have the courage to do the right thing at the right time.
Umpires do not allow themselves to be harassed or flustered.
Umpires must be lifelong learners.
Check yourself in a mirror to see how you look when you are umpiring
Immediately after a game, pinpoint one error you made. Write it down. Be your own most severe critic.
Have a good professional presentation, have pride in your personal appearance, be discipline and dedicated.
Let the kids play.
Have fun.

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GAME MANAGEMENT CONT:

Game Management begins at your home preparing to go to the field to Umpire:

By Polishing your shoes
Ironing your pants and shirt
Athletic Appearance is an important aspect of the umpire. If you look like an athlete, it helps gain respect. If you’re overweight, you must make up for this with hustle.
You must look and act like an umpire.
Your mannerism used while conducting the pre-game coaches meeting.
Your positions between innings, and the positions taken prior to a pitch and for every call.
Hustle when moving to make a call, the signals used (both verbally and arms are important for commanding respect).
Your attitude – good or bad – affects all people at the game to have fun and a positive experience.

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GAME MANAGEMENT CONT:

If you’re an umpire that places all others below you, and you feel that you’re the only one who knows what’s going on. This attitude “Cockiness” is usually dislike and challenged with little support and people wait for you to make a mistake.
When involved in confrontations, your mannerism used in listening, body language and responding to questions should be positive, rather than a negative.
You and your other umpires on the field is the third team on the field.
If the Plate umpire is busy, have the base umpire watch and count warm-up pitchers.
Keep enough baseballs in your ball bags to be able to provide a new ball to the pitcher if ball goes foul or off field of play.
Good communication and teamwork is required to be successful along with clean rotations and complete umpire coverage. People are watching.
DO NOT mingle with the fans, coaches, players between inning.
Umpires need to gain RESPECT! Not expect RESPECT.
BE AT THE GAME SITE ON TIME, START THE GAME ON TIME.

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GAME MANAGEMENT CONT:

Umpires should always be early for their games. Coaches and fans develop opinions of the umpires based on all of these factors, punctuality, shined shoes, and appearance. These all go a long way in establishing how you are perceived.
If a game is late in getting started it should not be because the umpires are late.
Talk about only what’s necessary at the plate meeting, exchange of lineups, discuss ground rules. Make good eye contact and exchange handshakes, wish each Coach “good luck” and then play ball.
Know your catchers’ names. It builds their confidence as you work with them during the game. It also shows respect for them and they, in turn, will show respect for you.
Be helpful and friendly with your catchers but don’t chase errant pitches for them.

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GAME MANAGEMENT CONT:

Positioning is most important. The call can be so much easier if you are at the proper angle from the throw to the base, and you are not moving while the ball, fielder, and runner are approaching the decision point.
Emphasis on calls is also extremely important. There is no need to shout out a play where the runner is obviously out. Save that for your bang-bang plays. On your bang-bang plays, put a little more emphasis on your call but make sure the play is over before making your call. Remember perception is reality.
Your rule book states that baseball is a game between two teams.
Remember there is a third team out there: the umpires. If you forget this, it’s going to be a long game.
Work as a team, taking the calls that are yours, looking for help when needed.
Remember, you make the call and change it if necessary, after consulting with your partner.
The purpose should always be to get it right. But if you are sure, your call stands.

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GAME MANAGEMENT CONT:

Unless you need help, don’t seek it, and if you didn’t make the call, do not interfere unless particularly asked by your partner.
Every call that is changed leaves you open for many more requests to follow. “You didn’t get the last one right so what makes you think this one is any different.
Umpiring is fundamental to the game of baseball. But how the umpires presents himself or herself will go a long way in determining how coaches, players, and fan perceive and regard the entire crew.
Discussions with Coaches can be particularly trying. Our natural instinct when confronted with a question is to retaliate. This is when we are most vulnerable.
Remember, take a deep breath, listen to the argument, evaluate its content and decide its validity.
Calmness on your part can eliminate many confrontations.

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PLATE MEETING:

The plate meeting should be short and to the point. You should cover the following:

Review each manager's lineup, confirm there are no final changes. If there are changes, ensure the change gets onto both managers' copies and also that the changes goes to the scorekeeper. Then, ensure that lineups are exchanged. At this point the lineups are official.
Ask coaches to confirm that their players are properly equipped, and that all equipment is regulation.
Go over ground rules for the field. Typically you'll ask the home team manager to go over the ground rules. In some cases the umpires may receive the ground rules in advance from the coach or tournament director. If your field is not fully enclosed, be sure to clarify boundaries for the field of play, and where dead-ball territory begins.

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PLATE MEETING:

The plate umpire is the de facto umpire in chief for the game. Among other responsibilities, you must run the pre-game meetings. There are two pregame meetings that every UIC should convene before every game, without exception:

The umpire's pregame meeting with each other
The plate meeting with the team Head Coaches

The plate meeting, where the umpire crew meets with team Head Coaches, is required by rule. Five minutes before the game's scheduled start time, you and your crew proceed to home plate and call the team Head Coaches out to home plate for the pregame conference.

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PLATE MEETING CONT:

Cover special rules, if any. If there will be any pregame ceremonies.
Insist that both teams play with the highest regard for sportsmanship.
Remind the coaches that the Head Coach only can call on the umpire to discuss a call, and that they should wait for action to stop and then ask for time before doing so.
Answer questions, if any, but do not let your plate meeting turn into a rules clinic.

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SMILE AND ENJOY YOURSELF

HAVE A GOOD SEASON