Details: Parent Category: Umpires

CBUA Umpires,

This is a mass email.

Three web sites you should be consulting regularly . . . the NCAA Central Hub for baseball, the CBUA Central Hub, and CBUA Arbiter assigning site . . . the NCAA site has ongoing rules updates and clarifications, as well as video training, etc.; the CBUA site has information about our organization, all of our Bulletins, and numerous valuable Links--please become familiar with these Links, as many of them will be helpful to you throughout the season; the CBUA assigning site is updated daily with additions, deletions, rainouts, new games, etc.--keep your roster entry updated and keep your calendar/availability updated.

Hopefully everyone has received their timer from Honigs and their rule book and manual from the NCAA. I know we had some folks register late, so if you are still missing any of these items, email me immediately and I will pursue them for you. Let me know if you are still missing any items, even if you've notified before--I want to stay on top of these deliveries, particularly since they are all already paid for.

D-I crew chiefs--conference play will be upon us shortly. Please complete your evaluations promptly after each series using the CBUA Arbiter assigning site. For your self evaluation, simply email it to me and I will enter it into the system.

NOTE TO MVC Umpires--for evaluation purposes, please use the same MVC site and method as in the past. For MVC series, you do not have to enter evals into the CBUA Arbiter site.

For those of you who like to plan well ahead, the TENTATIVE dates/locations for the 2012 NCAA Meetings are as follows: January 7--Anaheim, CA; January 14--Indianapolis, IN; January 21--Atlanta, GA; and January 28--Philadelphia, PA.

Finally, some early season Umpire Food for Thought . . .

1. Study and understand the rules. Just about anyone could digest the rule book and regurgitate it on command. Soon, those ''rule book lawyers" have to figure out success takes more than quoting chapter and verse. It takes a special individual to study the rules diligently and then understand their intent and proper application. Rule book study, even just for five minutes, should be part of your daily routine.

2. Participate with study groups and/or associations. How do you obtain that understanding of the rules? By talking about them it within local study groups and learning to differentiate between the “old guard” protecting their turf and the veteran umpires who really want to help you learn. Officiating wisdom is passed down through the ages. Take advantage of that by becoming active in a local study group. However, don't take a local guru's advice as gospel; he may not be up to date on current philosophies, etc. Information sharing is just a part of the total learning experience. By sharing with different officials in different settings, you'll begin using some items and weeding out others.

3. Keep yourself in peak physical condition. Reduce your potential for injuries by staying in shape. More importantly, as an official you have an obligation to the game, its participants and your officiating brethren. If you're overweight, you are likely to get hurt, be out of position for calls, lose stamina as the game progresses and create a negative perception toward officiating in general. Promote a positive image and feel good about yourself by being in top physical condition.

4. Work scrimmages. Fall and preseason scrimmages are a great way to maintain physical fitness and work the umpiring kinks out before the games count.

5. Arrive at the game site early. Always allow ample time so you arrive comfortably ahead of schedule. There's nothing worse than rushing and not having a chance to mentally adjust prior to the start of the pregame conference.

6. Be properly attired in a clean uniform. Your appearance gives a distinct and lasting impression. Items should be shined, pressed and up to date. .

7. Relax. If you appear tense and nervous, players, coaches, fans and fellow officials will pick up on it. Make sure your muscles are relaxed before taking the field. There's a way to be intense and in tune with the game without looking like you're stressed out. Work on it.

8. Hustle but don't over hustle. You must work hard to get into position and display maximum effort, but false hustle can have a negative impact on your positioning and how you are perceived, particularly by observers who understand mechanics and rotations.

9. Communicate with crew members. Use and help each other to minimize errors. If something seems awry, take the time to talk to crew member(s) to gather more information and make the right call. KEEP IT BRIEF.

10. Talk to players and coaches as appropriate. Develop a good rapport with game participants but don't be overly friendly. Think about perceptions. Keep conversations professional and brief. If a coach or player has a legitimate question or concern, take the time to explain the situation. Above all, do not dodge questions. The longer you ignore them, the longer they last.

11. Keep a wide field of vision. Take this page and hold it one inch from your nose. Can't see much, can you? Now hold it at arm's length. Amazing all the things you can see! The same principle is true in officiating. If you're too close, you lose perspective. Keep a wide field of vision and you will see more.

12. It is nothing till you call it. There's no need to rush. Watch the entire play develop. Those that think through things in slow motion -without reacting too slowly -will be successful.

13. When in doubt, watch what you say. You can't be misquoted if you don't say anything. We are often tempted to respond to coaches, players and fans with sarcasm. Keep it to yourself. Don't get caught up in the emotion.

14. Review game plays and mechanics. Some post-game review should occur in the locker-room. Quality review also occurs hours later, after emotions have cooled. Honestly evaluate your performance. Use videotape whenever possible. You can learn a lot about how other people see you by watching game tapes and viewing them from the perspective of a supervisor/coach/player/athletic director, etc. Ask yourself: "Could I have handled anything better?"

15. Solicit constructive criticism from crew members. Continually seek advice. Select bits of information from a variety of sources and incorporate them into your game. Search for patterns, if several people are telling you the same thing, they may be right.

16. Think like a professional. Officiating, whether a vocation or avocation, is a business. You are the sole owner of the business, Build the business professionally. Put the time and effort into making it grow and reap the benefits. By developing that mind set, you'll better your chances of making a positive impression and continually improving.
Stay healthy, have fun!

Rich Fetchiet
CBUA Coordinator of Baseball Umpires