Umpires Game Management

A. Check equipment

B. Check field

C. Be professional, not overbearing, nor over friendly

A. Look the part ( first impressions make a big impact )

B. Exchange lineups, cover substitutions

C. Stress sportsmanship, hustle

D. Cover ground rules, bench decorum

A. Get on a first name basis

B. Count warm-up pitches ( 8 in the first or for a new pitcher, 5 after that )

C. If catcher is gearing up between innings, get someone else to warm up pitcher

D. Compliment catcher for blocking balls in the dirt ( He’s protecting you )

E. Use the catcher to communicate with the pitcher ( preventative officiating )

A. Get them in the box, keep them in the box

B. Don’t call time for the batter to get set, don’t allow pitcher to quick pitch

C. Don’t grant time to batter if pitcher has started to pitch

D. Put dead balls back into play ( batter in box, pitcher on rubber )

A. Three defensive per game, one offensive per inning ( write them down )

B. Give time according to situation ( nobody on, runners on, pitcher in bull pen )

C. When breaking up a conference, don’t let coach use it as chance to discuss balls and strikes or other calls

A. Get numbers rather than names

B. Let opposing team know changes ( unless you have an official scorer and announcer

C. Ask coaches to give you changes early between innings

D. Write them down ( in case there is a question about an illegal substitution )

A. Don’t stop the game if you don’t have to ( close gates, pick up equipment, etc )

B. Keep your head out of the dugouts

C. Hustle ( set the example for the players )

D. Be firm, but courteous, be nice

E. Remember that, the people aren’t there to watch you.