Umpiring 101

Hey everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your spring training work. The start of the HS and Pro seasons are just around the corner now, and it is a good time to review the duties of the Crew Chief. Whether you are in HS, College, or Pro Baseball, you may be assigned the job of being the CC. This could be for a 2,3, or 4 man crew, but you need to have the basic skills to handle this responsibility. Here are some of the qualities that a Crew Chief needs to possess.

Communicate with Crew and Game Mgt

When you receive your assignment, your first task is to touch base with your partners and the team contact. Make contact with your crew 48 hours before your game. Let them know the time, site, and specifics of your assignment. Have them respond to you and confirm they are scheduled, and what position they are working. You can also determine what uniform style you will wear, and what time you will meet. Always require your crew to either call or email you back to prevent any problems that could arise with scheduling. Next , contact the team coach, or AD. Let them know your contact information,(Cell # and email). Confirm with them the game time, site, and game info. An example would be, " I have on my schedule 1 nine inning game starting at 3 pm." This will prevent any problems that could arise from weather or a change that wasn't given to the assignor. If you haven't heard from a crew member 24 hours before game time, and you have called and emailed them, contact your assignor. Do not risk having a no show. Take the time to follow up on this.

Pre-Game Discussion

Some groups have a manuel that they want followed for this forum. Others leave it up to the CC. A crew of 3 umpires requires a more indepth review regarding mechanics, catch/no catch responsibilities, crew communications, rotations, outfield coverage and appeals. Do not assume that everyone nows where they are supposed to be or what they are responsible for. Invite questions and input from the crew. Poor communication is the main reason for breakdowns in coverage during games.

Plate Meeting

The Plate umpire runs the show here. Take your position at the plate meeting and let him do his job. However if there is a point of contention or some confusion over ground rules, this is where the CC comes in and settles the situation.

Game Duties

You are the leader and the one who sets the example, who keeps control of the game and of the participants and who has the final say in any situation that may arise. Remember, don't look for trouble or be unapproachable. You need to exhibit your leadership skills. Shut down problems before they explode by using your people skills . Remember, your in charge, be in charge.

Post Game

You are responsible for the game report and any paperwork that is required. This is an important task as this lets your E-board know how the game went, puts the payroll in, and gets anything that should be passed up in the information system. An example of this would be any warnings issued, ejections,(which require a report of there own), and any unusual circumstances. You should also review with your crew any instances that happened in the game that were not properly executed, along with ones that were handled well. Remember, you are not there to embarass a colleague, but to help them understand how to better handle a situation the next time. Use good judgement in this area.

Finally, I was recently promoted to Crew Chief in the Northern League for the 2008 season. Besides the jobs I mentioned, my duties include travel arrangements, weather situations, evaluation of crew members, and communication with team and league officials. I am excited and looking forward to this new challege this year.

I am anxious to hear any feedback or comments you might have. Please let me know your thoughts!

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