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The Umpire's Call |  |
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Greetings Fellow Umpires and Coaches! Welcome back to The Umpire's Call, a monthly (January - May) eNewsletter for amateur baseball umpires, coaches, and those interested in becoming baseball umpires. Let’s get winter out of here and get on with warm weather so the greatest game ever created can be played! No game clock, no shot clock, the defense can’t score, and no instant replay. In this issue we want to start thinking about umpire uniforms, rule study, signals, and basic positioning for base umpires in a two umpire crew. The Umpire's Call is a light look at all levels of baseball umpiring, youth league through college, placing emphasis on recruitment of new umpires, early preparation for the upcoming season, and education and training for all.
Our Mission:
Already early in this season I have received phone calls and emails from athletic directors, conference commissioners, and supervisors asking for names and contact information for new umpires. Unfortunately my list of young qualified umpires or even young umpires is not very long. I wrote in a 2004 issue regarding the rapidly increasing shortage, at all levels, of trained, competent amateur baseball umpires and asked questions as to where do we find new and younger umpires, and how and who is responsible for training them? From the feedback I received and continue to receive, it appears little has changed. State athletic associations are doing little, if anything to assist local officials’ and umpires’ associations in preparing not only new umpires, but refreshing and maintaining the veterans. Many officials’ associations continue to concentrate on fall and winter sports, and by the time spring arrives there is little interest or energy to do any training. There are a number of serious umpire associations across the country that require new umpires to attend a series of classes and demonstrate proficiency, however there are far too few of these associations. What is the solution? Each journey starts with the first batter, so to speak. It has to be a grass roots effort, which may mean seasoned umpires inviting new umpires to get together for rules review and discussion, test completion, mechanics demonstrations. An opportunity to talk about field coverage, A, B, and C positions for the base umpire, accepted signals and game administration, plate mechanics including footwork, head height, lock-in mechanisms, eye control, and timing. The list is endless. Take the first step, get your group or association to be proactive, the result will be increased interest, motivated individuals, and an increase in numbers and quality of umpires – both young and old. We (veteran umpires) need to demonstrate and convince the powers to be that there is value in training including rules discussion, on-field training, and an evaluation system that accents the positives and addresses needed improvement.
The Association of Minor League Umpires (AMLU) is currently in contract negotiations with Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation. Specific information is available At The Umpires Call Web Log. Some amateur umpires have already been contacted regarding potentially replacing and/or filling in for these umpires should they decide as a union not to work. It may be a dream of some umpires to work a professional game(s). I caution umpires who have been contacted to think this through very carefully. Be certain you are not dumping games as there is a commissioner or supervisor that will not be very pleased and there is a potential crossing a picket line issue as well. Umpires need to think about the long term effects of deciding to fill-in or replace minor league umpires. Is it really in your best interest?
Every umpire has his/her own style of making calls and uniquely in baseball it is accepted. Use of voice is important as well as clear, decisive signals. Here are a few suggestions. Every call deserves some kind of reaction from the umpire, whether it is a routine catch, a pitch that is clearly not a strike, or the runner who easily gets back to the base on a pick off attempt. Each one of these calls needs acknowledgement and erases any doubt that the umpire is aware and alert. An umpire not need be loud and demonstrative on a routine fly ball to the infield as one would on a trap/no trap line drive. When umpires do not signal or use their voice, managers, coaches, players, and fans gain license to assume you don’t know. This is especially true with plate work, strikes and balls are equally important, yet many umpires do not verbalize pitches that are balls. On a close pitch that, could go either way and the umpire says nothing, meaning the pitch is a ball, allows everyone who has an opinion to voice that opinion. Umpires who verbalize balls and strikes assure those that need to know that the umpire indeed does know. Each pitch has a name (ball or strike) and the umpire should announce that name upon completion of the pitch. Voice and signals should be used in proportion to the closeness of the play. If the call needs to be sold, a loud voice and a crisp signal will go a long way to avoid all unnecessary opinions.
In a two umpire crew the basic starting positions for the base umpire are very clearly defined.
“A” Position – in foul territory 10-12 feet
behind 1st
baseman
No runners on base, BU is in “A” position Umpires need to know the situation and react properly. Cover this in the pre-game conference and ask questions if there is uncertainty.
Camps, clinics, newsletters, and umpire associations are welcome to post their news in The Umpire's Call. The following have been submitted for 2006, some are returnees and a few new ones as well. Hey Blue! is a monthly eMagazine for baseball umpires. Twelve solid pages each month specifically about umpiring and how to be a better official. Email Kent Walker, writer and publisher for a sample copy - $15.00 for 12 issues Dave Mekelburg produces UmpNews.com a huge collection of information and articles covering all levels of baseball umpiring - a must see. Mark Wehrwein invites umpires to sign up for Fed Play of the Day sponsored by the Greater Huntsville, AL Umpire Association The Toughest Fair/Foul Quiz in the World! With acknowledgements to Richard Siegel Midwest Umpires Association will include The Umpire's Call as a link on their website.
23rd Annual
Southern Umpires Camp
The 2006 Umpire Pro Clinic sponsored by Tara
Umpires will be held on February 4, 2006 at the
Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Georgia.
Umpires that wish to buy, sell, or donate equipment (to new umpires) are welcome to send information. Please include item, size, color, condition, price, and your contact information and I will be happy to list. This is for private individuals only and NO DEALERS PLEASE! (unless you wish to donate) Fred Abboud is looking of a used pair of plate shoes size 12.5 or 13, also looking for XXL umpire shirts – various colors. Contact by email, home phone 402- 991-4524, or work phone 402-444-6846.
Tom
Procopio is looking for powder blue and red
baseball umpire shirts, size XXL. Jeff Schmidt writes that he would really like to have some umpire gear if it is donated, or available at a reasonably cheap price. He is a starting umpire and is looking for caps, chest protectors, mask, new shirts etc.
The quality of an amateur umpire is most often based upon his work behind the plate, and as the new season arrives the first "plate job" of the season carries with it a heightened state of anxiety for the inexperienced as well as the seasoned umpire. One of the better lessons I can re-share is that the better you look, the better you feel, and the better you feel, the greater the chance of a comfortable and efficient first "plate job". Let's start with clothing and equipment - spend time now, before the season starts, to assure all items are ready to go. Here are some suggestions: Find your uniforms, including pullover jackets, plate coats, and shirts. Make sure they fit and are in good condition - check buttons, zippers, and hems of plate and base trousers. See that your belt(s) is/are still black and is/are not taking on the skin of a prune. Make sure ball bags and hats are in good condition and replace them if needed. People look first at your face and then the eyes travel to the hat, if the face isn't that good, the hat better be! Protective equipment - chest protector is clean of last year's salt stains, and that clasps and straps are functional. The same for shin guards. Are the straps and hooks a go? Make sure your mask pads are clean, as it will prevent any unwanted irritation. Check to see that your protective cup is solid and the pouch in any undergarments is not torn or stretched to prevent the cup from roaming. Locate brushes, indicators, favorite pens and pencils, and any other items carried on to the field. Clean your plate and base shoes:spend time now and put a good base of polish and a mirror shine on them, it will save you time later in the year when you have weeks with more games than you want. Now, go into the basement, garage or somewhere where will you have privacy, and put all your on all of your plate gear and clothing - all of it! Get into your stance to make sure everything fits and conforms exactly it should.
Through my golf and travel business I am very fortunate to be in touch with many opportunities both domestic and international. Below are a few ideas and opportunities that can become available based upon interest. Umpire Exchanges Umpires from different parts of our country, continent, or the world - visiting, touring, instructing, and umpiring at amateur tournaments. This would be a great community project and experience for an umpire association. Let me know your interest in traveling, hosting or both. Umpires that golf and golfers that umpire! Two golf experiences for baseball umpires, their family, friends, and colleagues. Of course non-golfers are welcome! Target dates August/September 2006. 1. A fully escorted golf experience featuring top- quality golf courses in or near a Major League city. Golf during the day and baseball at night - does it get any better? 5-7 days, destinations being considered are Chicago and San Francisco. 2. A fully escorted golf experience to the birthplace of golf, St. Andrews, Scotland. Play Carnoustie, St. Andrews Links Courses - New & Jubilee, Ladybank, Scotscraig, and ballot for the Old Course! For the true golfer who has always wanted to see and play in Scotland. Use these trips as an end of the year reward for your crew, association, or just yourself. More information to come, but please let me know if you have interest. Wish to go at a different time of year? Contact me to custom plan a golf trip to any destination in the U.S., Scotland or Ireland!
Does your umpire association or local youth baseball
league experience any of the following problems? Designed for young umpires as well as veterans, Youth Baseball Umpire Clinics, a division of USJT, has just completed its 6th year of educating baseball umpires with a comprehensive "HANDS ON" format. NOT "sit and listen, take notes, watch a video" instruction - YBUC participants come dressed for activity and take an active part in learning pre-game responsibilities, consistent umpiring techniques, on field positioning, and proper game administration. Now accepting bookings for 2006 season Basic Umpiring 90' Diamond Mechanics and Basic Umpiring 60' Diamond Mechanics are outstanding educational resources for umpire associations and youth leagues. They are sold seperately for $29.95 plus shipping and are available on VHS or DVD. Please contact YBUC office to purchase. Credit cards accepted.
Thanks for reading our February 2006 issue - if you have information, digital photos, or artwork to share, please get it to me and I will include in the March issue. Rules meetings in the northern states begin soon and get the books out now so there are no problems later! Please forward The Umpire's Call to your colleagues; just use the link at the bottom. Best wishes to all on a great 2006 season
All 2004, 2005, and 2006 issues of
The Umpire's
Call
are available at U.S. Junior
Tours web page.
My best regards, Scott
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