Hey I didn't no where to put this. But I'm umpiring my first game today, sixth graders, and I was wondering if anyone has any tips or things I should remember? Kind of nervous figured someone on the board has umped before.
Don't second guess any calls. Even if you think you are wrong, stick to your call.
Don't be afraid to ask for help from your partner, sometimes they have a much better angle.
__________________ Every time you play a hand of you poker you wanna run through a mental check list. Head Position Hand Position Neck Position Breathing Posture. More than 25 items. It's a lot. And that why I've come up with a handy mnemonic device. Just one word: HPHPNPBPECMSPAMDCPAFTSTTL. It's easy.
Hey I didn't no where to put this. But I'm umpiring my first game today, sixth graders, and I was wondering if anyone has any tips or things I should remember? Kind of nervous figured someone on the board has umped before.
Review this clip and you will know all you need to know:
__________________ Jeffries sucks!
2010 AAT - Dontrelle Willis I was thrown out of N.Y.U. my freshman year for cheating on my metaphysics final, you know. I looked within the soul of the boy sitting next to me. - Alvy Singer
As a coach of 11 and 12 year olds, all I ask is that the umpire is consistent and know the rules. With kids that young, more than likely you'll have to expand the strike zone a little. Let the coaches know that in the meeting before the game. If both coaches know what to expect you won't have a problem. Where you run into trouble is when every call is all over the place.
If you're working by yourself, get out from behind the plate on plays at the bases. There's nothing more frustrating than an umpire who makes a call at second while he's standing behind the plate.
Lastly, and maybe as important as anything else, look like you want to be there. Don't show up in shorts and a t-shirt. If you work the game looking like a major league umpire you'll get a ton of respect. If you look like you're there just to get paid, that's how you'll get treated.
Hey I didn't no where to put this. But I'm umpiring my first game today, sixth graders, and I was wondering if anyone has any tips or things I should remember? Kind of nervous figured someone on the board has umped before.
__________________ 2009 Adopt a Tiger: Rawley Bishop
Thank you so far to everyone. Even the smack a kid one (which might happen). I'm wondering should I call balls out loud too or just strikes? Or I guess it's really up to me isn't it?
Thank you so far to everyone. Even the smack a kid one (which might happen). I'm wondering should I call balls out loud too or just strikes? Or I guess it's really up to me isn't it?
I would always tell the pitcher where it was, unless it was painfully obvious.
__________________ Every time you play a hand of you poker you wanna run through a mental check list. Head Position Hand Position Neck Position Breathing Posture. More than 25 items. It's a lot. And that why I've come up with a handy mnemonic device. Just one word: HPHPNPBPECMSPAMDCPAFTSTTL. It's easy.
Always work out different contingencies with your partner about who covers what spot.
Stay positive. Smile.
Ignore parents. They are idiots.
Be confident.
Know the rules. Try to brush up on them before going out there. There are a ton of things that people think they know but don't.
Ignore parents. They are idiots.
If doing the plate, remember that the strike zone is defined at the time the ball crosses the plate. Ignore what happens after that time and ignore what the catcher does. Especially at that age when the ball is going fairly slow and the kid's lower leg may not have developed yet, a lot of pitches in the lower half of the strikezone will end up in the dirt.
Ignore any strike zone complaints. Anybody who is complaining about the strike zone is not in position to do so and will only serve to fluster you.
Always work out different contingencies with your partner about who covers what spot.
Stay positive. Smile.
Ignore parents. They are idiots.
Be confident.
Know the rules. Try to brush up on them before going out there. There are a ton of things that people think they know but don't.
Ignore parents. They are idiots.
If doing the plate, remember that the strike zone is defined at the time the ball crosses the plate. Ignore what happens after that time and ignore what the catcher does. Especially at that age when the ball is going fairly slow and the kid's lower leg may not have developed yet, a lot of pitches in the lower half of the strikezone will end up in the dirt.
Ignore any strike zone complaints. Anybody who is complaining about the strike zone is not in position to do so and will only serve to fluster you.
In addition to these good tips--ignore the parents, they are idiots.
__________________ 2009 Adopt a Tiger: Rawley Bishop
Thank you so far to everyone. Even the smack a kid one (which might happen). I'm wondering should I call balls out loud too or just strikes? Or I guess it's really up to me isn't it?
It's okay to say ball, but don't say where. That just gives people ammo when they gripe, and also if you say "Ball Outside, Ball High, Ball Inside" it can sound like strike. Absolutely no hand motions on a ball, it can look like you are calling a strike. Along the same lines, when signaling the number 2, use your index and middle fingers, NOT your outer two fingers, which can look like 1.
Rehash the count and outs frequently so you don't forget.
Some rules to know:
The definition of a foul tip: Is the ball live on a foul tip?
Can a player call time?
Infield fly rule, when does it apply? Does the runner have the right to go?
Baserunning awards for balls out of play and the different scenarios.
Finally, remember why you are there. Make sure the kids have fun and enjoy the game.
It's okay to say ball, but don't say where. That just gives people ammo when they gripe, and also if you say "Ball Outside, Ball High, Ball Inside" it can sound like strike. Absolutely no hand motions on a ball, it can look like you are calling a strike. Along the same lines, when signaling the number 2, use your index and middle fingers, NOT your outer two fingers, which can look like 1.
Rehash the count and outs frequently so you don't forget.
Some rules to know:
The definition of a foul tip: Is the ball live on a foul tip?
Can a player call time?
Infield fly rule, when does it apply? Does the runner have the right to go?
Baserunning awards for balls out of play and the different scenarios.
Finally, remember why you are there. Make sure the kids have fun and enjoy the game.
Lets see if I pass.
1. The ball is live on a foul tip, I believe if it goes into the catchers glove?
2. A player can call time (according to our rulebook) but we don't have to grant it to them unless its for a important reason. Our rule book has a witty comment like there not the pros they don't need to dust them self off.
3. Infield fly runner on first and a pop up in the infield past pitching mound.
Did i do alright?
Infield fly - runners on 1st and 2nd or bases loaded, less than 2 outs. Infield fly called at umpires discretion if he feels an infielder can make a play. Runners advance at their own risk.
__________________ Every time you play a hand of you poker you wanna run through a mental check list. Head Position Hand Position Neck Position Breathing Posture. More than 25 items. It's a lot. And that why I've come up with a handy mnemonic device. Just one word: HPHPNPBPECMSPAMDCPAFTSTTL. It's easy.
Lets see if I pass.
1. The ball is live on a foul tip, I believe if it goes into the catchers glove?
2. A player can call time (according to our rulebook) but we don't have to grant it to them unless its for a important reason. Our rule book has a witty comment like there not the pros they don't need to dust them self off.
3. Infield fly runner on first and a pop up in the infield past pitching mound.
Did i do alright?
1. Live ball (ie, baserunners can steal)
2. What I was looking for, while your rulebook may supercede this, is that the umpire has to grant it. So if a player complains that he called time and it wasn't granted, he'll have to just deal with it.
3. 1st and 2nd or bases loaded, less than two outs. A fair ball, in the judgement of the umpire, is easily catchable by an infielder. Runners advance at their own risk and aren't protected.
Infield fly - runners on 1st and 2nd or bases loaded, less than 2 outs. Infield fly called at umpires discretion if he feels an infielder can make a play. Runners advance at their own risk.
I always thought it was just on first. Huh. Thanks!
Last question. Do I yell fair if the ball is fair on a close play?
I've always been told by umpires that they do not need to vocalize a fair ball, only a foul ball. That's not to say you can't, especially with the age group you're working with. Like you said, they're not pros, they're still learning the game.
Last question. Do I yell fair if the ball is fair on a close play?
Only foul... It's difficult to tell the difference between fair and foul when shouted... They'll know it's dead if you yell foul, but may confuse the call if you say fair.
Went very well. Cranford won two zero in a game that took only a hour and fifteen minutes. Did well the whole game, I thought, but for one play were I believe I was correct but the other coach was not to happy. Either way a lot of fun! Thanks everyone for helping.
When in doubt, call a strike. Never call a strike a ball. Call the pitch 6" off the corners and borderline high and low pitches strikes. This will keep the game moving and the batters swinging. Wait a split second to make calls, don't be in a rush. Take your time. Don't have a cocky attitude. Hustle. Run everywhere. You might make a mistake but if a coach has a fit just tell him "Hey, I'm doing the best I can, I thought he was out coach". Don't be wishy washy, though. They have to accept the fact that your decision is final and you are human at the same time. That's the balance I tried to strike when I umpired. I never had too many problems. It's when you get cocky and arrogant or too soft that umpires get in trouble. Plus, those who try to call the perfect strike zone always suck.
__________________
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.--Matthew 1:21, 22
Went very well. Cranford won two zero in a game that took only a hour and fifteen minutes. Did well the whole game, I thought, but for one play were I believe I was correct but the other coach was not to happy. Either way a lot of fun! Thanks everyone for helping.
Sounds like the equivalent of a perfect game for an umpire. Good job.
__________________
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.--Matthew 1:21, 22
Went very well. Cranford won two zero in a game that took only a hour and fifteen minutes. Did well the whole game, I thought, but for one play were I believe I was correct but the other coach was not to happy. Either way a lot of fun! Thanks everyone for helping.
Congratulations...
Sounds like you are too good to become a MLB umpire...
Also remember: if a fair ball hits a runner, the runner is out and the batter is awarded a single and all other runners move up one base. This is true even if the runner hit by the ball is standing on a base when it happens. The base is not a safe haven in this way.
__________________
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"I'm a visionary. I'm ahead of my time. Trouble is, I'm only about an hour and a half ahead."
Also remember: if a fair ball hits a runner, the runner is out and the batter is awarded a single and all other runners move up one base. This is true even if the runner hit by the ball is standing on a base when it happens. The base is not a safe haven in this way.
Unless the infield is drawn in... If the runner is behind every infielder, then the ball is live and he is not called out.
I always thought it was just on first. Huh. Thanks!
The reason for the infield fly rule is to prevent an infielder from intentionally dropping a routine pop-up so as to turn a double play.
With a runner on 1st only and a pop-up, the runner holds at first and the batter should be hustling down the line - ideally standing on 1st base when the ball comes down. The defense does not derive a benefit from dropping the fly ball in such a case, because the team will have a runner on first base either way, so there is no need for the infield fly rule. And if the batter doesn't hustle, then it is his fault if he gets doubled up.
With a runner at 1st and 2nd (or bases loaded) and less than two outs, two (or three) runners must hold their base on a pop up with less than two outs. So the infield fly rule is necessary in such an instance to prevent double plays on pop-ups, because it wouldn't be fair to the team that is batting.
The underlying principle is teams should not derive a benefit from making a defensive misplay intentionally when the offensive team has no recourse. This is rationale behind the infield fly rule as well as why dropped 3rd strikes with a runner on 1st and less than two outs is an automatic out.
__________________
“The modern playoff system for baseball is provably silly from a statistical point of view. There is no other sport where the contestants come from a narrower range of winning percentage and where the in-game variables are greater.” - Gehringer 2
In high school rules, there is a rule in place for first base and first and third, less than two outs, ruling the ball dead and batter out if the ball is dropped intentionally. The Infield Fly Rule is actually an exception to this rule.
Had my first alone game today. Did very well I thought, and so did the fans. I had parents come up from both sides saying good job. Even earned myself a tip. I'm really starting to enjoy this umping gig.
Had my first alone game today. Did very well I thought, and so did the fans. I had parents come up from both sides saying good job. Even earned myself a tip. I'm really starting to enjoy this umping gig.
A tip? Or a bribe?
__________________ Jeffries sucks!
2010 AAT - Dontrelle Willis I was thrown out of N.Y.U. my freshman year for cheating on my metaphysics final, you know. I looked within the soul of the boy sitting next to me. - Alvy Singer
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