Our Training Presentation

This is the presentation that we provide at each of our training sessions.  If we didn't get through it all or you would like to review it again, please feel free.  (If you are from another league and would like the original PowerPoint file, send us a note.)

Some Ideas for Training Yourself

Tailored from the Baseball Umpires Learning Blog - specifically this page

• For Beginners
  • Read the rules, but don’t spend too much time on the rules as there is so much to learn and never enough time. Too many rule sessions/situations can overwhelm you. However, rules are what umpires are recruited to enforce so rule knowledge IS paramount. Definitions (under Rule 2.0) are a great starting point. Spread the learning out over time by reading or focusing on one rule section at a time.
  • Attend a training session
  • Decide what you'll wear
    
  • Get to know basic positioning and the reasons for being there. You'll feel much more comfortable, faster. It's scary being out on the field when you are confident of where to stand. Wandering around is an obvious sign that you are new to umpiring.
    • Plate Umpires (Positions 1 through 5) [This is shown very well in the eHow videos.]
      
    • Base Umpires(Positions A through C) [This is shown on the Stockton site listed above and in the book, Umpiring in Little League (free with registration).]
      
    • 4-Man Mechanics (easy)
    • 3-Man Mechanics (just a touch, this is advanced stuff)
  • Focus on the things that happen all the time. Don't spend too much time on “knotty problems” as they rarely happen in baseball games. As a beginner, the best advice is to wait until play stops, call time, and talk to your other umpires or the coaches. In volunteer games, this is a far better practice than trying to fight your way through a tough situation and making enemies.
    • Common batting situations at the plate
    • Common situations at 1st
    • Common situations at 2nd
    • Common situations at 3rd
    • Common runner situations at the plate
  • Try to get lots of gym and field time (on the field is best, but weather in northern states forces us to begin indoors). Work on basic positions, the mechanics of making calls, actually calling of plays at first, doing pivots, 'timing' work, teamwork (covering situations such as going out, rundowns, 1st to third, time plays, etc.)
  • Find a way to incorporate video into your training (some learn better with video vs. lecture method).  There are loads of great videos and some are available in our clubhouse.
  • Find lots of scenario or case books to test yourself on situations.
    
  • We've collected a bunch of great tips for umpires.  They'll save you time!
    

• Intermediate
  • Get more in-depth rules knowledge and learn the fine points by including lots of official interpretations in your reading and discussions.
  • Develop an increased awareness of rules and coverage of balks, interference, obstruction, check swings, and awarding bases.
  • Gain experience working on mechanics of calling plays at first, pickoffs at all bases, time plays.
  • Understand the rules surrounding batting out-of-order and substitution rules.
  • Have discussions with experienced umpires related to successfully managing the game and dealing with coaches and players.
  • As you umpire, have discussions of actual play situations in games.
  • Use pitching machines and batting cages to work on plate mechanics.
  • Sharpen your skills by demonstrating them through increased involvement with mentoring programs.
  • Continue the use of video instruction and using actual game video of others and yourself.
  • Record yourself or other beginning umpires in the learning process and during their first games so you can self-evaluate. There is nothing like seeing yourself in action.
  • We've collected a bunch of great tips for umpires.  They'll save you time!

• Experienced
  • Find an introduction to rule differences between different levels of play (Little League, NF, NCAA, OBR-pro baseball, Babe Ruth, American Legion) depending on what the local umpires are working.
  • Keep focusing on higher levels of rule discussions including tough situations and “knotty problems”.
  • Continue to use video to help correct bad habits.
  • Get specific training to teach experienced umpires to be successful mentors.

If you would like to share in a training syllabus discussion, look here.