| The biggest problem that a Little League faces is | | | | up to a point. Often the coach just wants to |
| many leagues use purely volunteer umpires. If an | | | | heard and he knows, the umpire is not going to |
| umpire has taken the time to become proficient | | | | change his call. It is up to the umpire to let him |
| (attended clinics, discussion boards, feedback, | | | | state his case and then promptly ask the coach |
| mechanics) and invested in quality clothing and | | | | to go back to his bench. Once the coach refuses |
| equipment, then they most likely is going to work | | | | to go back to his bench, you can now play the, |
| games where a there's a little to no | | | | arguing calls involving judgment is not allowed, |
| compensation. Coaches will quickly recognize the | | | | card and warn him that he had better go. |
| casual umpire and make requests to have them | | | | Common across the country, when doing a lower |
| work any other game then theirs. Volunteers | | | | level game, remind the coaches, If you have a |
| whose hearts really are not into it can find it a | | | | question about a call that is made by myself or |
| convenient excuse to quit if being an Umpire is | | | | my partner, feel free to ask in a courteous |
| too demanding. In a league where the umpire | | | | manner and we will be more than happy to |
| roster is short, having one quit during season can | | | | answer. Generally at upper level game, this |
| dismantle an entire schedule. If you take the | | | | subject is not even brought up. But with all things, |
| challenge, bear it out. Talk with the league | | | | we start at the bottom and work our way to the |
| administrator if things are going poorly. Simple | | | | top or at least to our level incompetence. This is |
| solutions may be available that make your life as | | | | where we as umpires are working outside of our |
| an umpire fun again. Some of the best volunteers | | | | comfort level and causing ourselves excessive |
| can come from the nearest military installation. | | | | stress as well as pushing the envelope with the |
| There are a lot of young, energetic troops who | | | | teams we work for. It is not feasible that all |
| work hard to rise in rank. One of the things that | | | | umpires can perform at all levels. If you are |
| gives them an edge up on the competition is a | | | | having fun with the 15U recreation league but the |
| record of community service. If you have a | | | | 15U competitive leagues end up in recurring |
| military source like this nearby, try tapping into it | | | | arguments with Coaches; drop back to where |
| by advertising in the bases newspaper. If you | | | | you are having fun. This is the key element we |
| happen to score the services of a servicemen, be | | | | express to all the players and should also apply to |
| sure to send along a thank you to the base | | | | us as well. When asked a polite question about a |
| commander for allowing his troops to participate in | | | | rule interpretation I may have made, or about the |
| the community and the good work your | | | | location of a tag or something trivial like that, take |
| volunteer has done for you. Whenever you | | | | the time honor it with a response to the fan that |
| accept the duties of being an umpire, get to the | | | | inquired, depending on my location relative to the |
| local clinics and meetings as often as possible. Not | | | | location of the question-asker. Screaming across |
| just the umpire ones, but the coaches clinics and | | | | the diamond is not a good way to communicate, |
| meetings as well. Here you will not only find | | | | but a brief word through the backstop, action and |
| information on the rules and mechanics of the | | | | time allowing, is alright. If the fans are just |
| game, but you will also be in close contact with | | | | complaining and whining about calls, do not even |
| the Team Administrators, Managers and Coaches. | | | | look over there. But if I hear a, Did he tag him |
| When they see you there, confidence will rise | | | | blue? a quick yes, and the location. This will stop |
| during season as you both have leaned the same | | | | the inquisition instantly. It also confirms to the fans |
| and should be on the same page with respect to | | | | that you are conscious of them as well as the |
| the rules and details. During the game or at the | | | | game. Lower level games are full circle |
| pre-game meeting, stating negative things at the | | | | participation. Do not engage discussion with fans, |
| plate meeting like, No arguing judgment calls, sets | | | | just quick answers when it is convenient for you. |
| the game off on a poor note, and make you | | | | Loads of fun or a complete nightmare. It is up to |
| seem unapproachable. It is the job of the league | | | | you. The more you involve yourself the greater |
| coordinators to see that coaches are taught this | | | | the confidence, skill and fun you will have. Showing |
| concept, and they can also read it in the rule book | | | | up because you said you would without the |
| just like we can. But the reality in young teams | | | | background to take control of the game will lead |
| with young coaches and parents is that all the | | | | you to a miserable experience. |
| rules are not always followed to the letter. Be | | | | Mr. Dowdy is the father of 3 and after |
| kind with your words and spend some time | | | | re-entering competitive baseball with his oldest |
| before the game to create a list of replies. Then | | | | that lead to frustration of finding suitable glove, he |
| where an inexperienced coach might have no idea | | | | became an Official Distributor for NW Kelley USA |
| that arguing calls involving judgment is not allowed, | | | | Baseball You can also visit Hirsch Group LLC for |
| you can calmly point this out to the coach when | | | | more news/tips/articles on the subjects of |
| he first tries to argue a judgment call. Even | | | | baseball, construction, building codes and more |
| though the rules state arguing calls involving | | | | that most will find a quick way to fall asleep. |
| judgment is not allowed, it will happen all the time. | | | | Thanks for reading my article! |
| It is a part of the game and it actually is allowed | | | | |