BLAST FROM THE PAST

MANAGING A FIRST YEAR UMPIRE

Based on our own experience we know that becominga new umpire in Little League can be a very intimidating experience.Here are some proven strategies we have usedwhich have helped us get new umpires off to a successful start. If done well these will improve the chances of retention and growth ofthis umpire for years to come.

Create A New Umpire Orientation Session

Good two-way communication between you as UIC, the parent and new umpire is a critical factor that will lead to success. It is important that at the outset everyone starts and stays on the same page in terms of their understanding of the process.In the orientation sessionoutline how the umpiring program is administered in your league including such things as your planned training, how assignments are handled, expectations regarding uniforms and equipment, availability to umpire etc. This is the meeting where you spell out the expectation you will have of your new umpires and also what the new recruits can expect from you as their UIC and the league.Be sure to includeat least oneparent, and make this60 to 90 minute meeting which willeliminate the eventual questions that will normally come up later.

Training Sessions

Your training sessions need to be gearedspecifically to these new umpires. To assist utilize senior umpires from your league or within your district. For new umpires there should be two types of training sessions. On Field Training and Rules Session Training.

Rules Session:Cover sections 2 through 9, from the rulebook with emphasis on those rules and interpretations that the new umpire will apply most often during their first season.Examples includesafe/out, fair/foul, catch/no catch, obstruction/interference, strike/ball, etc.

On-FieldTraining:With focus on three specific areas:

1. Voice & Basics:One of the most important keys to being a successful umpire islooking and sounding like an umpire. To emphasize and point, utilize a group drill which focus on the mechanics of making the “basic six” calls: Ball, Strike, Safe, Out, Time, Foul. Focus on the use of their voice and the proper positioning and signal for these calls. To make the repetitions fun, have the group try and remember and execute the Basic Six in the same order you taught them. If unsuccessful have them repeat it “From the Top”. Use the basic six drills between rotations with base and plate mechanics to reinforce their importance.
2. Base Mechanics:Practice drills to teach the proper A, B and C positions of the base umpire utilizing the mechanics learned in the “basic six” session.
3. Plate Mechanics:Utilizing a pitching machine or soft toss, teach the fundamentals of plate mechanics, again utilizing the mechanics practiced in the “basic six” Sessions. Include the basics, play, time,ball, strike, foul ball.

Other Activities

Attend the coachespre-season meeting:Request feedback from coaches throughout the year emphasizing the importance of identifying umpires who may need further guidance or assistance.Also, emphasize to the coaches thatthere will benew umpires in their division and remind themto be just as supportive tonew umpires, especially new youth umpires,as they are to their players.Whether it is a player uniform or an umpire uniform, it is still a youth inside.

Zero Tolerance of Abuse:As UIC ensure that the league has expressed and is committed to zero tolerance of abuse of officials and has a disciplinary committee to deal with any form of abuse of umpires. Any situations arising need to be dealt with immediately.

Mentor & Support:Enlist senior experienced umpires as mentors that go out to watch and mentor the new umpires throughout the season.Mentors should emphasize the positive attributes they observe and then suggest ways the new umpires can becomeeven better umpires.It will helpthe new umpire gain the confidence they need to be successful.

Assignments:Ideally assign new umpires to games where they will have the opportunity to get lots of practice, i.e. where there are lots of balls in play. Typically, this will be in coach pitch and T-Ball. This also provides an excellent opportunity for mentors to see and evaluate new umpires in action.

First Assignment:Ideally this would be in exhibition games. Regardless of the training sessions, many new umpires seem to forget the basics once they are actually on the field. Having a senior umpire or UIC there to assist them on-field (shadow them)will will bring back what they learned at the clinics and build their confidence after an inning or two.

Season AssignmentFeedback:Establish a process whereby you receive feedback from coaches or convenors who attend games. A good easy to use tool would be a mobile web based form product such as Jotform (jotform.com). These forms can be customized and be completed in a few minutes post-game from a mobile phone. The focus of the feedback needs to mirror expectations articulated to umpires during the orientation and training sessions. Examples include,beingproperly dressed, starting game on time and good game management, proper positioning, loud voice, consistency, clear signals.

[Article Written & Submittedby: Stephen Meyer &Peter Hundeck, District 1, Ontario, Canada]