New Umpire

Buy him a pair of plate shoes, he won't think he needs them but he does and will be so much better with them.

Hmmmm. I smell an imposter.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:
Hmmmm. I smell an imposter.

agreed, confirmed and deleted.......

1) Forget everything he thinks he knows about the rules. Get a rule book, umpire manual/case book, and mechanics manual (Sometimes, these are 1 in the same depending on what he gets). Recommend Jim Evans Maximizing 2 man system and adapt from there for what the local association wants.

2) When playing the game, be a player. When umpiring, be an umpire. I hear too many time from a young, new umpire sitting on the bench say "That is a balk. I know b/c I umpire." Coaches are guilty of this too. When he is not umpiring, he needs to keep it to himself of what he thinks the rule is. Mainly, he may be wrong. Also, he doesn't know what the calling umpire saw.

3) Enjoy his time out there. It will expand his knowledge of the game. Don't take it too serious. Do his job, learn from WELL experienced umpires (I hate using the word "veterans" b/c I haven't fought in any war though some games may feel like it), and enjoy having the best seat in the house to watch a baseball game.

If he follows these 3 things and many more, he should want to continue to umpire as long as he can do it. And, always remember, he won't know everything about what the game can offer. He will always need to learn more b/c no 2 games will ever happen the same way.

hard to give a pat answer, but start with the fact that playing isnt umpiring and that there is no substitiute for rules knowledge....

You didnt say what level he will be umpiring but Im going to assume it will be youth ball....the hard part for most young umpires to handle is the imtimidation factor when being confronted by parents and adult coaches....

based on the level and organization he will be working I may have some educational resources I would be happy to forward to you for him if you would like.

Our LL has a program for training youth umps so I would check with the local leagues and see if they have any similar programs. I do know that LL has youth training at the regional level and a league can sponsor you and send you to their 3 day class.

I know that LL also has some PowerPoint presentations on working different numbers of officials and goes through all proper positioning.

I would start at a 10YO league level and work your way up.

Find an experienced ump that he can work with who will take you on as a partner and help him learn by doing games with him. Start in the field and work his way into plate coverage, hopefully with his preceptor.

Piaa- He will be starting out umpiring tee ball and machine pitch. I have spoken to him about how to handle being confronted by parents and adult coaches; he may be a little intimidated but he doesn't lack confidence in his ability . He has seen many parents and coaches "loose" it throughout is LL career.

Mr. Umpire- Thanks for your advice. I will stress to him about umpiring only when he is umpiring and be a player when he is a player! Great advice!

He is looking forward to spending the summer at the ball field, between playing and umpiring (and getting paid for it!). I'm very proud of him and confident he will do fine.

Now to brag about him a little bit!! He made the Freshman team this year, even though he missed the first week of tryouts because he was representing his school at State for bowling. He had the high avg for his HS team all season and was the only one to qualify for state. Though he didn't do well at State it was a great experience for him.

Thanks for all the advice and letting me brag a little bit about my son.

Nothing wrong with a little proud dad moment. Hopefully he will enjoy umpiring, it is a great avocation. As well as rules and mechanics study, make sure he is well versed in the local rules. Doing T ball and Machine league, there will be more than a few. Tell him to remember if a local rule isn't written down, it doesn't exist. The coaches will throw a host of made up **** that they believe is real.

Not much to add here as the more experienced guys have given gresat advice. Rules,rules,rules knowledge, solid mechanics and positioning assist in consistency with the strike zone and calls, and to just have fun with it.

I currently do a range of age groups from 10-12, 13-15, 16-18, (league and travel team tourneys), and adult mens 35+ so I see a full spectrum of players, coaches, and parents.

In my experience running an organized game, hustling and being decisive, and having good partners, have been keys to success. Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnkc66220:
Piaa- He will be starting out umpiring tee ball and machine pitch.

Have him contact the high school association to take the umpire class (they usually start in January). No experience necessary. I know it's too late, but I think it's best to forget about the pee wees and start at as high a level as you can.

Dash, he is only 14 so he is only going to start so high.

Very little will be learned umpiring T-ball and coach pitch. Most likely most of what is learned will be bad habits. Even 14 year olds should be properly trained and attend whatever clinics are available.

We start 14 year olds at middle school and lower levels of Babe Ruth. 16 year olds can, if they've proven themselves capable, work frosh games.

I agree that going to clinics, even at 14, is extremely helpful. He won't get a lot of mechanics work in the lower levels but he will get experience bing in charge and dealing with adults in that capacity. He could certainly work 9/10s and maybe some 11/12s as the season goes on.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:
He could certainly work 9/10s and maybe some 11/12s as the season goes on.

Agreed. What I was discussing is the T-Ball and Coach Pitch.

Went to initial umpire meeting last night and it looks like he will be umpiring 3rd grade kid pitch and up. He is pretty excited about starting the training classes and umpiring his first game. It will be a full spring and summer of baseball between his HS season, summer ball, and umpiring!!

Outstanding news....congrats to your boy...

As an aside, since I started to umpire at 23, and knowing what I know now, I would have never umpired youth rec level ball starting out....I would have started at the highest level that I could. It would have saved me from having to unlearn all those bad habits I picked up many years ago....

Read the rulebook.....Read the rulebook.....Read the rulebook.....Learm proper mechanics.....and look professional.

quote:

Originally posted by POLOGREEN:
Read the rulebook.....Read the rulebook.....Read the rulebook.....Learm proper mechanics.....and look professional.

And don't forget to read the rulebook.

buying all of his equipment this week - this stuff isn't cheap!!

Baseball is withhhout a doubt the most expensive sport to get into.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnkc66220:
buying all of his equipment this week - this stuff isn't cheap!!

No it sure isnt cheap...as MST states its the most expensive sport to enter as an official....

between the protective gear and the uniforms and footwear you can really spend a great deal of money...

Im sure most of us here have thousands of dollars in gear and uniforms in our cars during the season...the differing leagues and uniform requirements and corresponding hats/jackets cost a fortune.....

quote:

Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:
Baseball is withhhout a doubt the most expensive sport to get into.

Our rookies typically invest $400 - $500 to get started. And that requires washing shirts pretty often.

With gear and uniform replacements, and the cost of clinic, camps or school, gas, dues and insurance, I have invested as much as $7,000 in a single year.

The normal range however, depending on what needs replacing and where clinics are, is between $1500 and $2000 annually.

The other piece of advice is buy the best you can afford. It is expensive to do but if he enjoys it he won't need to replace it in a year or two. If he doesn't like it, better gear is easier to resell. If you need gear advice I can give you a link to get reviews on just about any level of gear out there.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:
The other piece of advice is buy the best you can afford. It is expensive to do but if he enjoys it he won't need to replace it in a year or two. If he doesn't like it, better gear is easier to resell.

I wish I had known this when I started. I may not have had the money then, but I would have at least bought one thing that was top-quality. As it is, I'm in my 5th year and one piece away from perfection.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnkc66220:
buying all of his equipment this week - this stuff isn't cheap!!

If he's a size 12, I have a pair of the first version Reebok Plate Magistrates that I used for one season. A little worn, but still in good shape.

If he is a size 9 I have a pair of well worn +POS plate shoes I'll send him......

Thanks for all the offers, unfortunately he is a size 10 1/2 shoes. He has already outgrown me in shoe size and height; I still have him in the weight category!!
There is a web based umpire uniform outfitter here local called UmpireXpress - has anyone heard of them?

quote:

Originally posted by Johnkc66220:
There is a web based umpire uniform outfitter here local called UmpireXpress - has anyone heard of them?

Can't say that I have. Well, I could, but I'd be lying. I'd take a look at some of other suppliers' package deals (Honig's, Gerry Davis, Ump-Attire, etc.) You can probably swing good equipment for slightly more than buying middle-of-the-road stuff piecemeal. Also, the swap shop at umpire.org is a place to find used equipment.

I'm sure anyone on here will be quite willing to give advice on specific items you may be eyeing.

ETA: I was just doing a Class 2 download and had a thought (scary, I know.) I do have a Carlucci hard-shell chest protector and shinguards in storage. I got them when I was a freshman in college and are now a bit small for me. Since Cece is no longer with us, I cannot have them resized, but if your son is around 5'8" and 170 or so, they'd probably work for him. They're yours if you pay shipping.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt13:

ETA: I was just doing a Class 2 download and had a thought (scary, I know.) I do have a Carlucci hard-shell chest protector and shinguards in storage. I got them when I was a freshman in college and are now a bit small for me. Since Cece is no longer with us, I cannot have them resized, but if your son is around 5'8" and 170 or so, they'd probably work for him. They're yours if you pay shipping.

That's some offer. Carlucci chest protectors are a highly sought item. They don't last long on ebay.

My good friend owns The Sports Loft. He is also a college baseball umpire and full of good advice (he actually answers the phone and will be glad to talk to you). If you live near Long Island, NY, the best option is to visit his store and try stuff on.

Thanks Matt, He's 5'10 135lbs (not much of a chest to protect ) Going to check out the websites everyone is suggesting, I appreciate all the great advice!

quote:

Originally posted by dash_riprock:
That's some offer. Carlucci chest protectors are a highly sought item. They don't last long on ebay.

I've toyed with the idea of selling the set, but it seems wrong to do (especially since Cece died.) At the same time, they really should be getting some use instead of taking up space. Being the dialectic that I am, I think that giving them to a motivated young umpire just starting out would sit well with both aspects of my dilemma.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt13:

quote:

Originally posted by dash_riprock:
That's some offer. Carlucci chest protectors are a highly sought item. They don't last long on ebay.

I've toyed with the idea of selling the set, but it seems wrong to do (especially since Cece died.) At the same time, they really should be getting some use instead of taking up space. Being the dialectic that I am, I think that giving them to a motivated young umpire just starting out would sit well with both aspects of my dilemma.

...and your Karma. Good decision.

I bought a new Platinum this year and gave my old Wilson charcoal to a 14 year-old who works LL with higher aspirations. I wish I had it back. Now I need help getting my shirt on.

quote:

Originally posted by dash_riprock:
I bought a new Platinum this year and gave my old Wilson charcoal to a 14 year-old who works LL with higher aspirations. I wish I had it back. Now I need help getting my shirt on.

I bought a platinum years ago and gave it away after two weeks of fighting to get my shirts on.

Nothing (affordable) beats the gold.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:

quote:

Originally posted by dash_riprock:
I bought a new Platinum this year and gave my old Wilson charcoal to a 14 year-old who works LL with higher aspirations. I wish I had it back. Now I need help getting my shirt on.

I bought a platinum years ago and gave it away after two weeks of fighting to get my shirts on.

It took me a year, but I can finally do it.

quote:

Originally posted by yawetag:
It took me a year, but I can finally do it.

It took you a year to get a shirt on? That's one hell of a pregame ritual.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt13:
It took you a year to get a shirt on? That's one hell of a pregame ritual.

I was working the game solo! Don't judge me!