1. WORKING WITH PLAYERS AND COACHES
Will Curtis

2. Develop your own style NOT THE INDIVIDUALS Be adaptable Be consistent
Give respect / Get respect
Be honest
Lead by Example
Hustle
MANAGE THE GAME
NOT THE INDIVIDUALS
Will Curtis

3. IF YOU ARE PREPARED YOU CAN MANAGE ANY SITUATION
Anticipate Problems
No one is immune
We all make mistakes
Expect the unexpected
Do not go out on a limb
Preventive umpiring
Understand the flow of the game
IF YOU ARE PREPARED YOU CAN MANAGE ANY SITUATION
Recommendations for the Rookie Umpire: Review for veteran
If you are not willing to make mistakes, then umpiring isn’t for you
Learn from your peers, good and bad
Will Curtis

4. Confrontation
Be honest Control yourself, control the situation Body language Let them talk Use your people skills One on one Find the leader DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES FOR DIFFERENT SITUATIONS
Will Curtis

5. PLAYERS
Let them play Use tolerance Do you know when you are being conned Use them / the leaders The ultimate challenge is to keep them in the game
Let the kids play the game .... Understand the SPIRIT and INTENT of the Rule; LET THEM PLAY THE GAME
Other topics to consider” (These topic would or could be better explained in Code of Conduct)?
* No Coaching
* No Touching
Stay Away – especially during pitching changes
Will Curtis

6. COACHES Recognize they are Leader Respect the role of the coach
Cooperation! Firm! Polite! Patient
If you are talking you are not listening
Listen they may be right
Acknowledge – don’t respond
The coach has the right to represent their team
Let the Coach talk. Ex… The umpire must listen to the coach rather than infer why the coach is approaching
The coach must be able to ask the umpire a question about a play and then have a brief discussion. Often, however, the umpire is to sensitive to hear the question or the debate is too highly charged.
The umpire called a runner out on a close play at second base. The coach come out of the dugout and onto the field to ask you about the call. Early in the exchange, the coach is calm and talking in relatively normal tones. The coach simply wants an explanation of the call. “I know you were closer to the play than I was, but it looked to me as if my player was in there. What did you see on the play?
While the coach is talking the umpire don’t say anything verbally, but his body language shows you’re not pleased with the coach. You strongly fold you arms in front of your chest, have smirk on your face, and then roll your eyes.
Watching your body language, the coach becomes agitated and say. “Hey, I’m just out here asking a question, and I have a right to do that. I’ve shown you respect, and I expect the same from you. With that the umpire raise his hand up as a stop signal, then dismissingly wave the coach back to the bench all with a cocky smile on his face.
Throughout the scenario the umpire didn’t say a single word, yet his body language screamed at the coach a variety of negative messages, including disrespect, arrogance, and an unwillingness to listen.
Will Curtis

7. Ejections Are a last resort
When Necessary Deal with abuse abruptly Be confident….. Game face Use your partners Find your leaders REMAIN Confident Re-Focus on the task at hand ALWAYS BE UNDER CONTROL AND YOU WILL HAVE CONTROL
Are a last resort
Will Curtis

8. IS THE MEASURE OF A REAL UMPIRE
Finally
Never, ever throw you partner under the bus
EVERY ONE CAN MISS A CALL
HOW YOU CONTROL YOURSELF AFTER THE MISSED CALL
IS THE MEASURE OF A REAL UMPIRE
Will Curtis

9. All American
Game