The Baseball Umpire Training and Advice
AN ACCOUNT OF A BASEBALL UMPIRE’S 36 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE –
ACCORDING TO THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (MLB) RULE BOOK!
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What DO we want to accomplish?
The goal on this website is to help and to train the baseball umpire in all aspects of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) official rules. By having an in-depth understanding of the rules, he will know and understand the intent of the rules in conjunction with the spirit of the game. The umpire must be the official rule book in the flesh on the field of play. He must conduct himself in a professional and ethical manner.
He must master the rules and positioning to gain the respect of those who are participating in each game officiated. And he must be able to recognize what he sees on the field and be able to make judgments and rulings according to the MLB rule book.
Bill deMoss
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So You Want to be a Baseball Umpire?
Remember everyone expects umpires to be perfect when you step on the field. Improve with every game. It has been said of those who have attended baseball umpire schools that calling balls and strikes, safe or out, fair or foul, can be done by anyone. But what separates the best are:
Knowledge of the Rules
- Know and Call by rule:
- Balks
- Interference
- Obstruction
- Awarding of Bases
- ALWAYS BE CONFIDENT NOT COCKY!
These surprises are the enemy of Baseball Umpires.
Learn from your mistakes!
IF YOU WANT TO BE A RESPECTED UMPIRE IT WILL TAKE TIME AND “EXPERIENCE”. It takes an umpire several years and practice to learn what is known by second nature. If it is hard to do, do it!
BECOME THE RULE BOOK IN THE FLESH ON THE BASEBALL DIAMOND!!!
EXPERIENCE
Participating in a game on the field is the best teacher. Every game is important, every play is important, and every pitch is important. Learn from mentors, books, tapes, videos, and attend umpire meetings. Join a group or local chapter. Ask questions of partner(s) in pre-game conferences and after the game on how you performed. Talk about your positioning and whether there were any questionable calls or rulings. Always remember if you ask for a critique or an evaluation from someone, accept it. Even if you don’t ask, accept it with humility.
If you want to learn umpiring or anything in life you must be willing to take harsh criticism. The best teachers are the ones who teach with discipline and practice what they preach.
“As a young inexperienced umpire I was afraid to work the plate and only wanted to work the bases. My mentors told me I needed to work the plate so I could learn and get better with experience. They made me work the plate and I am glad they did.”
The most respected umpires have said a consistent strike zone is the way to becoming an excellent umpire and that comes from:
“EXPERIENCE AND CONSISTENCY”!! “BE CONSISTENT”!!
