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Rookie umpire

always_latealways_late10+ posts
Hi, newbie here, and I'll try to make this short. My son had a game earlier this week that was officiated by a rookie ump (we found out later that it was his third game.)

There were questionable calls both ways, and both coaches were noticably frustrated, but they did handle themselves well and not take it out on the umpire. The last out of the game caused a nice little bruhaha with both teams. Hit down the center, the short stop fielded, threw to first, got the runner by 1-2 steps, standard play, and obvious out. The umpire said "Out" but signalled "Safe." Needless to say, defense heard "Out", started celebrating win. Offense saw "Safe", coaches had team running. You can guess how feisty things could have gotten, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.


My question to umpires is this. How feasible (or does it already happen and I'm just a doofus) is it for rookie umpires to have a more experienced blue at their first 5-10 games? Not in uniform, or on the field calling, but sitting anonymously watching the game, and afterwards being able to tell the rookie what he did good, keep it up, and what he needs to look for in the future. I would think that sort of instant feedback would give these kids more confidence out there, which would in the end make for better officiating in the long run.

I'm not trying to bash anyone. For just his third game, this kid didn't do too bad overall, he was just nervous, and you can't blame him for that.
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A Athensump10+ posts
Our association has started a mentoring program where veteran umpires are taking one or two "protoge's" and working c team and jv games with them. We also go watch other games that the newer guys are working. This seems to be a very good thing. It takes us vets back to our grass roots and helps the new guys as well. I heard one time that umpires have to be perfect the first day and improve everytime out. Its a shame that alot of younger umpires are run off by fans and coaches.
always_latealways_late10+ posts
Please understand that both coaching teams, and both fan's bleachers were not abusive to the umpire. Don't get me wrong, itwas vocal, and a little loud at times, but it wasn't overdone. If a questionable call was made, the team's bleacher that lost the call would groan and mutter for a minute, then get over it and start clapping. Very, very well handled. It ended up the league director and his director were both there watching the game, and they agreed that things were handled appropriately by all involved.
piaa_umppiaa_ump5,000+ posts
Initally I was a bit concerned about your situation since this is a HS site. But later on in the thread it appears that this happended in a youth league game.

So I want to respond in 2 fashions.....HS then Youth...

In our HS chapter no rookie umpire works his first 3-5 games without a veteran partner. He gets constant feedback and encouragement before, during (limited) and after each game. All rookies start out in sub varsity games. NO rookie crews are assigned to sub varsity games unless they have been cleared by a veteran evaluator.

Its not going to stop the issue you had but it helps.

In youth ball all bets are off, many times the lack of umpires puts individuals into the deep end of the pool. This is how many umpires started.......give them a t-shirt, a rule book if they are lucky and point them to a field....and hope they get better......

Just as an aside, what happened to you.........happens more often than you think...........it was the right call but the wrong mechanic........hopefully he didnt get too much grief, especially if this is a teenager....
A Athensump10+ posts
In our association we have an all day camp before the season as well as many meetings before going over mechanics and rules. Our assignor does a great job of not putting a young guy in over his head early on in his career. Of course with rec ball and LL they take anyone who will offer and sometimes that comes back to bite them. Our local LL uses mainly high school officials because when the tried the volunteer system it was really a mess. I do applaud the umpires who are willing to give back to the game. This web site is also very good at doing the same thing. My hats off to the regular guys who help with all the questions.
always_latealways_late10+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by piaa_ump:
Initally I was a bit concerned about your situation since this is a HS site. But later on in the thread it appears that this happended in a youth league game.

That was my newbie mistake, Sorry. I wasn't sure whether to post this in pre-high school forum or ask the ump, maybe I chose the wrong spot. Red Face

Its not going to stop the issue you had but it helps.

In youth ball all bets are off, many times the lack of umpires puts individuals into the deep end of the pool. This is how many umpires started.......give them a t-shirt, a rule book if they are lucky and point them to a field....and hope they get better......

Just as an aside, what happened to you.........happens more often than you think...........it was the right call but the wrong mechanic........hopefully he didnt get too much grief, especially if this is a teenager....



Luckily, these coaches were alot easier on him than a few others in the league would have been. The umpires in our league are all teenagers. I think I've seen one adult in the 7 seasons my son has played,(not including all star tournaments). I've seen more than a few of these kids start out making numerous questionable calls, then turn into the umpire that when you see him walk up to call your game, you are glad it's him because he does a great job. Most of our umpires overall,do their job well. There are missed calls, but, that's going to happen no matter who is calling them.
piaa_umppiaa_ump5,000+ posts
quote:
That was my newbie mistake, Sorry. I wasn't sure whether to post this in pre-high school forum or ask the ump, maybe I chose the wrong spot.




not a mistake at all.......This is exactly where it should be and it was well written and hopefully we added something to the situation that you found helpful.

Here in this forum, we umpires attempt to offer an opportunity to engage active umpires in discussions on rules, situations and mechanics without any fear of judgment or attitude.

we do not hide behind the "Blue Wall" and we will clearly "call it as we see it".........(Pun intended)....if it is a blown call or bad mechanics we will not hesitate to say so.......

Let us know what we can do to help.
Last edited by piaa_ump
C cccsdad100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by always_late:
Hi, newbie here, and I'll try to make this short. My son had a game earlier this week that was officiated by a rookie ump (we found out later that it was his third game.)

There were questionable calls both ways, and both coaches were noticably frustrated, but they did handle themselves well and not take it out on the umpire. The last out of the game caused a nice little bruhaha with both teams. Hit down the center, the short stop fielded, threw to first, got the runner by 1-2 steps, standard play, and obvious out. The umpire said "Out" but signalled "Safe." Needless to say, defense heard "Out", started celebrating win. Offense saw "Safe", coaches had team running. You can guess how feisty things could have gotten, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.


My question to umpires is this. How feasible (or does it already happen and I'm just a doofus) is it for rookie umpires to have a more experienced blue at their first 5-10 games? Not in uniform, or on the field calling, but sitting anonymously watching the game, and afterwards being able to tell the rookie what he did good, keep it up, and what he needs to look for in the future. I would think that sort of instant feedback would give these kids more confidence out there, which would in the end make for better officiating in the long run.

I'm not trying to bash anyone. For just his third game, this kid didn't do too bad overall, he was just nervous, and you can't blame him for that.



It's always a good idea to have an experienced ump working with a rook. Here's the deal, I've had this happen, where I've called an out and for some odd reason signaled safe. It caused some confusion but I stated emphatically "he's out, he's out, he's out" I told the coaches I called the out, and just messed up on my hand signal, "play ball." They all heard me say out, and they all knew the runner was out. The coach tried to grumble at me and I just told him, "coach I called the runner out, the runner's out, sorry for the confusion, now let's play ball"
Last edited by cccsdad
D dash_riprock1,000+ posts
I have played (LL through college), coached and umpired thousands of games. I have never seen a game where the umpires made more mistakes than the players and coaches.

I had a HS playoff game (Catholic school) the other day. I dumped the head coach for being a colossal a$$hole on a judgment call at the plate. I don't have a short fuse. The call was correct. The mistake was, the coach sent a runner home from 3rd with 0 out. He was dead meat. The parents actually applauded the coach when he finally left the field (chilling his pitcher in the process). The fish rots from the head.

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