Details: Parent Category: Umpires

2009 Springfield, Mo Camp Notes

Have a thorough pre-pitch planning routine

Pause/read/react. With our mobility, we can get by reading for an extra second or two.

Don't rush tag plays.

Timing on Balls & Strikes: track/process/confirm/verbalize.

Be professional and dress appropriately both on and off the field - people know who the umpires are and we represent NW, the NCAA, and the umpire brotherhood as a whole.

Avoid tobacco products at NCAA events.

Be crisp with out calls (even routine, out-by-5-steps plays), snap the wrist on strikes and "play".

Bust in and get a good angle.

On odd plays, such as a no-call on possible batter's interference, give a safe signal and verbalize “That’s Nothing!”

Enunciate - on catcher's interference, guys behind the screen weren't sure if I said "time" or "balk"

Communicate with your partners (both with signals and verbally) and know where they are at all times.

Keep your eye on the ball - chest to ball.

Keys and reads - know what they are and use them appropriately.

1st impressions - from the minute we step on the field, we're being watched and sized up.

Keep tabs on your body language between pitches/plays, as that's a good time for coaches/players/evaluators to be watching.

Hustle. Get up the line on ground balls, to “49 ½ foot line”…keep eye on ball as you are running.

If a partner misses a rotation, pick him up for the good of the crew.

If you miss a rotation, know why, what happened, and learn from it.

If you blow a play, don't display any negative body language.

Take a more athletic-looking stance behind the plate.

On wings, keep dropped foot on the line and "off-line" foot forward.

Don't address a participant's STATEMENT.

When discussing a situation with a coach, say as little as possible.

Also, keep emotions in check and converse with them in a calm manner."In my judgment..."

Get a good position in the slot.

Get in position for calls at the point of the plate (and point of the play, while on the bases, as Berle reiterated) and adjust to the action.

On an uncaught strike 3, give a safe signal and verbalize "no catch"

Game management - 8/5 pitches, notify battery when two left, batter with 1, and make catcher throw it down on #5/8.

KNOW the rules and mechanics book. Truly understand where to be and WHY!

Know the situation.

Have a thorough pregame, and talk about the odd situations.

Have a signal to tell your partner you have information when applicable.

When working the plate, have a signal to tell your partner 1B was off the bag or missed the tag so U1 can check with you for help without having to verbally ask for it…closed fist to your body is the recommended signal.

Get together and conference when applicable, and keep coaches away.

If call is to be reversed, umpire who made the initial call must reverse it, but umpire(s) with help should remain in vicinity for support and an explanation if needed.

Pre Pitch Planning (and taking it to the next step, i.e. knowing what glove the outfielders are wearing & where they are playing)

Know the situation (Burle talked about checking stats before the game to know steal situations, etc)

Anticipate the next play

Timing, Timing, Timing (“on the rubber, get set, call it”)

Weather related issues

Taking steal plays from deep B

Hustle-ALWAYS!

Don't show emotion (if you kick something, don't let it affect the next play, don't miss two rotations in a row)

Have confidence (know the rules and CCA manual so you can have confidence out there)

Have a good pregame (don't assume we worked together so many times that we don't have to have one)

Conversation with catcher about coming too far inside, to get a look (when taking look at pitches in first inning)

Try to stay in fair territory as much as possible with pressure from 2nd baseman

Concentrate during the pitch, relax after, step back, reset, and get back in thereTrack, Process, Confirm,

VerbalizeVoice and signal depends on your size, (Opie can be more relaxed than, Kirk, Adam, Mike, and Andre)

Initial impression (can get you 3 innings)

Work every game as if coordinator was there

1st base coach that wants to talk, tell him you have an evaluator there, can't talk now

Tell a kid you have an evaluator there, to make sure bats, helmets are kept in dugout

With infield in, tell player I'm going back, go get it

* Get your keys and reads so when the ball is put in play you are ready for what might potentially happen. i.e.: how fast is the guy on first going to third, fielder positions-protecting the line or playing shallow, is it a bunt situation, possible squeeze play, steal situation, late in the game and need to score possible situation to stretch out a single,

* Anticipate the NEXT play

* Always keep working

* Know the mechanics and rules so you can make decisions with confidence-study, study, study

* Don't be proud to get help-we all need help from time to time

* Have a good pre-game, don't take it for granted that we all do it the same way- go over possible situations where there may be a better way to cover it than what the manual says

- Pre-pitch planning...especially with outfield coverage.

- Know outfield and infield line-drive coverage

- Taking plays at 2nd base

- With a runner at 1st...Burly recommends starting from deep B- This is mainly to see all possible swipe-play possibilities on a steal with the minimal amount of movement

- Move around in the working area at 2nd base to get an open view of plays (double-plays, etc.)

- Our angle should always be open to the fielder's chest

- Taking plays at the plate

- Two types of plays at the plate- 1. Collision Play...ideal spot is between Point of the Plate and 1st Baseline Extended
- 2. Swipe Play...ideal spot is between Point of the Plate and 3rd Baseline Extended-

3 Kinds of Umpires

- Those that make things happen, those that watch things happen, those that wonder what happened

- Courage and Confidence