Wednesday, February 6 , 2008

A Tier Homework for Thursday Feb. 7

For consideration and discussion

Discussion Facilitators
CHRIS BRODERICK
STEVE HILGENDORF

Working and Getting Along with Lower Tier Partners, Care and Feeding.

1. Think back to your days as a lower-tier umpire...Describe specific moments (conversations, game situations, pre/post game discussions) you remember that supported you in your growth as an umpire. Which umpires do you credit with your on-field improvement? If possible, describe a specific scenario that has had lasting impact.

2. As an A-tier umpire, how do you approach games when you know your partner is from a lower tier? Do you have any standard practices around approaching such a game? What do you do specifically well to support lower tier umpires? Where do you think you could improve?

3. Describe a situation where your training of a lower tier partner actually resulted in an improvement on your part.

4. How do you approach on-field training? In other words, what is your approach to working with a lower tier umpire during a game?

5. Imagine you're the senior umpire, working with a B umpire who is working their first high school varsity game. Due to rain and other scheduling challenges, the game is a high level varsity game with a lot at stake. How would you approach this assignment? What specific steps would you suggest to get the most out of the situation?

6. What types of corrections/suggestions are time sensitive? In other words, give some examples of topics you would address mid-game and topics you would save for a post game conversation. What is your criteria for this consideration?

ISSUES IN GAME MANAGEMENT:

1. We all know that strong game management is critical to success as an umpire in higher level games.  Aside from making accurate calls and/or having a strong strike zone, what other characteristics/actions/behaviors establish good game management? In other words, what indirect actions on the part of an umpire create an atmosphere of control and capability?

2. We have all experienced coaches chirping from the dugout. Think through the following scenarios and consider your reactions to each.

a. Your strike zone is horse doo and you know it. You haven't worked a dish in over a week and you feel yourself regaining your confidence/accuracy as the game progresses. The coach started the first inning off with a comment, we've gotta have that pitch or this is going to be a long day if that's not a strike.   He continues to comment typically making at least one comment (just loud enough for you) per inning.

b. Your strike zone is developing and you know its early in the season and the pitcher isn't really hitting his spots. (One of those games where the catcher sets up outside and the pitcher hits the inside corner) Coach expresses his frustration through body language, gasps, and eventually yells to his pitcher Keep firing them in there Danny, eventually he will call one a strike.

�c. Your strike zone is on and you're feeling pretty good. Pitcher is struggling to find the zone and coach is obviously frustrated with his team. A perfect pitch arrives and for some reason (you've been lulled to sleep by previous two innings of mediocrity) you call it a ball. Your miss becomes the straw that breaks the coach's back resulting in, Oh, come on John! You have got to be kidding me! He's working his ass off out there! Do your job back there! Let's go!

After brief consideration of each scenario, answer the following questions:

1. Where is your line? What absolutes do you work under?

2. What considerations impact what you will tolerate in any given situation?

3. How does your performance impact what you will tolerate from a coach?