ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE
The characteristic of ATTITUDE is one that can easily establish yourself as a good umpire or a poor one. If you give the following tips some attention right now, even before the season ends or begins you will be taking steps to make sure you establish yourself as a good umpire.Let’s look at this characteristic in greater detail as we strive toward becoming the kind of umpire that is worthy to umpire for you personally.
- Cooperate with your partners. Help each other. Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance if you are blocked out on a play. The main objective is to have all decisions ultimately correct. Another part goes hand in hand with this idea and that is work on every play to not become blocked out. Many umpires do not get themselves into the best position possible because they do not work hard to get that angle. In other words, they are taking a play off because it looks routine. My solution to this problem - NEVER, EVER TAKE A PLAY OFF!!!!!!!!
- Keep all personalities out of your work. You must be able to forgive and forget. Every game is a new game. As in all walks of life, you will meet great and good people. You also will meet some very bad characters. In baseball there are great and good people but there are also some real bad people. Our job is to umpire the game and make our decisions based upon the plays that present themselves to us and not whether the player or coach/manager is a good human being.
- Avoid sarcastic comments. Don’t insist on the last word. If, after an argument, a player is walking away – let him go! In most cases, when we open our mouth, trouble will follow. It is best to say as little as possible during any discussion you have with anyone. Use the KISS method. Keep It Simple Stupid!
- Never charge a player or follow him if he is moving away; and do not point your finger or use violent gestures during an argument. In fact, don’t make any gestures at all during an argument. The best place for your hands is behind your back folded together.
- Keep your temper. A decision or an action taken in anger is never sound. The old adage of counting to 10 before you respond is the concept we are looking at in this statement.
- Watch your language! Never use language toward a player, coach, or manager which, if directed at the umpire, would result in the player, coach, or manager being disciplined. This means whatever you say or do in this regard must be defendable and inappropriate language is never defendable.
- If the manager has a legitimate point to argue under the rules, it is your duty to listen to him. An umpire can do this with dignity and no loss of respect. Be understanding – remember, the players are engaged in a heated contest. You are impartial judges and should maintain a calm dignity becoming the authority you have. A coach once said to me, “the trouble with umpires is that they don’t care who wins.” That is a very true statement and we need to remember that as an argument is occurring. If you can, during an argument, try to move the argument onto grass if you are on the dirt. This will help the coach/manager keep from being able kick or throw dirt your way.
- Always keep your uniform in good condition. This goes for your body and your mind too. Those umpires that go to their knees for balls and strikes have a real problem with this statement.
- Keep active and alert on the field at all times. This means during play and between innings. You might be able to relax some between pitches and between innings but it has to be an alert relaxation.
- Keep the game moving. A ball game is often helped by energetic and earnest work of the umpires. Use the rules to help you in this regard. 8 pitches for a starter and 5 in between is what we usually have in most of the rulebooks. So, there is no reason other than cold weather games to have more than the 8 for the starter and 5 after that. 8 is also for the 1st inning with a relief pitcher. Also, use the batter’s box rule to your benefit by reminding them that they need to keep one foot in the box. This is at the high school, college and pro levels now. Also, make sure you penalize pitchers for the 20 second rule if they are abusing time between pitches. By the way, the pro rule is a 12 second rule except in the major leagues. I would caution you on using the rule before a warning or two however. Again, I would not be concerned until they are abusing the rule. Don’t go looking for trouble.
- Be courteous, impartial, and firm, and so compel respect from all.
- Remember, that you are an official representative of baseball when on the field. Act accordingly. You are also an official representative of baseball off the field because those that know you are an umpire will expect you to be at the highest level of integrity away from baseball too.
- Always dress appropriately to and from the ball park and when in public places.
- Even when off the field, remember that you continue to be representatives of baseball and your league. Never do anything that would bring disgrace upon your profession or upon baseball. Always act, dress, and work in a way befitting your profession.
ATTITUDE
BY CHARLES SWINDOLL
THE LONGER I LIVE, THE MORE I REALIZE
THE IMPACT OF ATTITUDE ON LIFE
ATTITUDE TO ME, IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN
FACTS THE PAST, EDUCATION, MONEY,
CIRCUMSTANCES, FAILURES, SUCCESSES,
AND WHAT OTHER
PEOPLE THINK OR SAY OR DO.
IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN APPEARANCES, GIFTEDNESS, OR SKILL.
IT WILL MAKE OR BREAK A COMPANY, A CHURCH, OR HOME.
THE REMARKABLE THING IS, WE HAVE A CHOICE
EVERYDAY REGARDING THE ATTITUDE
WE WILL EMBRACE FOR THAT DAY.
WE CANNOT CHANGE OUR PAST…WE CANNOT CHANGE
THE FACT THAT PEOPLEWILL ACT A CERTAIN WAY…
WE CANNOT CHANGE THE INEVITABLE.
THE ONLY THING WE CAN CHANGE IS OUR ATTITUDE.