Players work out during the winter and pre season to be sharp for the season opener---what do umpires do to get sharp for the opening game?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
TR: The best umpires in our area work tournaments and fall/winter league games. They also do training for the younger umpires for the local leagues prior to seaon start. We obviously have the weather to support fall/winter ball. Not sure what the guys do in the Midwest & North East.
We have a tournament this week-end and we will have a bunch of guys donating their time as well as getting sharpended up for the season. Once the official HS season starts (Feb 14th out here) then they will work scrimages, and our Alumni game, which are not considered official games.
These are the guys who are active in the local umpire association and work hard to improve themselves and give back to the baseball community. The others just show up wanting pick up their umpire fees. We know who they are and you just cringe when they show up for your early season games....now that I think about it any game!
We have a tournament this week-end and we will have a bunch of guys donating their time as well as getting sharpended up for the season. Once the official HS season starts (Feb 14th out here) then they will work scrimages, and our Alumni game, which are not considered official games.
These are the guys who are active in the local umpire association and work hard to improve themselves and give back to the baseball community. The others just show up wanting pick up their umpire fees. We know who they are and you just cringe when they show up for your early season games....now that I think about it any game!
For those of us in the "winter climes"....Its not possble to work actual games....
I attend 2-3 clinics and call balls/strikes in the cage for the pitchers of a local D3....we both benefit from the work....
In a few weeks, I will hope to get a few scrimages in. I am also an umpire trainer and rules interpreter and we will have an indoor clinic where we will bring in a few HS pitchers and catchers to work on mechanics, stance and pitch tracking....
I attend 2-3 clinics and call balls/strikes in the cage for the pitchers of a local D3....we both benefit from the work....
In a few weeks, I will hope to get a few scrimages in. I am also an umpire trainer and rules interpreter and we will have an indoor clinic where we will bring in a few HS pitchers and catchers to work on mechanics, stance and pitch tracking....
Gentlemen, Thanx !!!
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
Players work out during the winter and pre season to be sharp for the season opener---what do umpires do to get sharp for the opening game?
I attend a both a pro style and an NCAA clinic. I work out at a facility a local sports therapist owns, primarily on stretching and cardio.
Beginning three weeks ago I started training the local association and have spent six hours in the cages. I stay away from pre season live pitching at the college level so I don't get accused of any affiliation when I work their games. I do see some live pitches with the help of a local HS pitching coach from a league I do not work.
All this time, I continue to read three rule books over and over and my son and I will quiz each other on rules and mechanics via email daily until he leaves for spring training.
Tomorrow is my first game, a non-conference D-III. A fun way to ease into the season.
I practice ejecting my wife from the living room and restricting her to the kitchen. I make sure to have all my plate gear on when I perform this exercise.
quote:Originally posted by dash_riprock:
I practice ejecting my wife from the living room and restricting her to the kitchen. I make sure to have all my plate gear on when I perform this exercise.
Very nice. I will have to remember this as i am getting ready for tournament ball to start in the summer.
Our scrimmage is Friday.
Regular season starts on 2/24 with 6 games in 7 days.
I'm glad you guys are getting ready, 'cause I'm a little worried about our pitching staff's depth. You better be ready for anything.
Regular season starts on 2/24 with 6 games in 7 days.
I'm glad you guys are getting ready, 'cause I'm a little worried about our pitching staff's depth. You better be ready for anything.
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
Players work out during the winter and pre season to be sharp for the season opener---what do umpires do to get sharp for the opening game?
Interesting question, TR. As you know, I've been a coach for quite a few years, and I sometimes wondered the same thing. Then, last year the local umpire's association head convinced me to give some of my time during the HS season by joining them and umpiring games, since I only coach in the summer but not during HS season. I was surprised at how much our local association puts into training and preparation. They have weekly classes that start in January and run through most of the HS season, plus a rules clinic that is madatory, plus a positioning and mechanics clinic, again mandatory.
While some guys are better than others, they all get a ton of preparation opportunity before and during the season. As for me, I work a couple HS games a week from now till mid-May, then back to my true love in baseball - coaching. Umpiring has made me a better coach, and if nothing else it's worth doing just to see the look on some umpire's faces when they see me walk onto a field for the first time, only knowing me as a coach before. It's priceless to see the look on some of the coach's faces when they realize I've joined the 'dark side'!
Catcherdad:
In addition to the training we provide and require, our association "culls the herd" each fall. We typically suggest to three or four umpires each year that another avocation would probably work out better for them.
The primary reasons for being cut are poor game management skills, no evidence of improvement over a two season period of time and/or a demonstrated unwillingess to learn/train.
Umpiring is not a static avocation. Rules change, interpretations change, and even mechanics change. Players continue to get bigger, faster and better each year. More coaches are taking the time to better understand rules and interpretations and some even show up for our mechanics training.
Every umpire, regardless of level and regardless of years of experience, can and should improve each year.
In addition to the training we provide and require, our association "culls the herd" each fall. We typically suggest to three or four umpires each year that another avocation would probably work out better for them.
The primary reasons for being cut are poor game management skills, no evidence of improvement over a two season period of time and/or a demonstrated unwillingess to learn/train.
Umpiring is not a static avocation. Rules change, interpretations change, and even mechanics change. Players continue to get bigger, faster and better each year. More coaches are taking the time to better understand rules and interpretations and some even show up for our mechanics training.
Every umpire, regardless of level and regardless of years of experience, can and should improve each year.