1. CREW CHIEF

2. CREW CHIEF
Being selected as a crew chief is an honor. Many crew chiefs have shown with their professional demeanor and actions on and off the field that they are leaders and can handle unique or tough situations with a clear head and proactive resolutions. They are expected to thoroughly know rules and mechanics, and must have excellent game management skills. Their main goal for a game or series is “success as a crew.”
When on field situations develop that require a rule interpretation, the crew chief must step up and take the lead. The high school crew chief should have the ability to provide leadership and promote communication in both pregame and postgame discussions. They are expected to coordinate any travel plans with the crew, complete reports in a timely manner and possess integrity, honesty and outstanding character.

3. CREW CHIEF
At times the crew chief may have to be part psychologist. The crew chief must understand the makeup of the crew and use the appropriate methods to get the best from his or her crew. If the crew is experienced and business-like with a good understanding of the importance of their job, a different style is required than if the crew is less experienced and perhaps a bit nervous. At one end of that style is a “stick to the basics” approach with a solid pregame and an effort to get the less-experienced crew to talk more. At the other extreme is a style for the more experienced crew, which is more philosophical.

4. CREW CHIEF
Plate Umpire controls/manages the game, Crew Chief manages the series
Set your crewmembers up for success – make sure they’re prepared (pre-game meeting)
Crew Chief is Plate Umpire for Game 1
Sets the tone for expectations for entire series
Covers / explains ground rules as needed
Crew Chief must contact Home Coach & AD ahead to determine/confirm
Game site (including directions, if needed)
Game Time for Game 1
Expected arrival time for Crew
Parking areas (as designated)
Dressing facilities location / needs
Supply CC contact info and get POC info (may not be HC)

5. CREW CHIEF
Crew Chief must contact each crewmember ahead of time (preferably after HC)
Confirm assignment
Confirm game site, time
Confirm position on the crew (e.g. 2,3,4)
Inform of arrival time you expect
good to meet elsewhere, meet early, then drive together to game site
Inform PU rotation pattern you will use (CC will work PU for game 1)
Inform uniform specifics
CC choose uniform for all games?
CC allow PU to choose uniforms for “their” game?
ALL uniforms must meet GHSA requirements

6. CREW CHIEF
LEADERSHIP
Effective Crew Chiefs should be good personnel managers – maintaining a work environment in which everyone is able to maximize their skills in order to achieve group goals.
Set each crewmember up for success
Guide / Teach throughout the series
MUST know 3-Ump and 4-Ump Mechanics COLD!!!
Study ahead of time – call me if questions
Umpires desiring to be Crew Chiefs should attend training & work off-season on Crew of 3 & 4 Mechanics
Should provide performance related feedback for EVERY umpire after EVERY game

7. CREW CHIEF PRE-GAME MEETING
Perhaps the most effective way for individual umpires to disengage from normal levels of personal baggage - in order to focus on officiating responsibilities - is to participate fully in the crew’s pregame meeting.
The primary purpose of the pregame meeting is to focus the minds of all the officials on their game duties.
An effective meeting should include discussions of rules that need to be emphasized, tendencies of the team involved and mechanics issues for both expected and unexpected circumstances that might arise in the game.
The pregame meeting is a FORCED SHIFT OF CONCENTRATION FROM OUTSIDE-THE-GAME CONCERNS TO IN-THE-GAME CONCERNS.
The Crew Chief who conducts the pregame meeting can help alleviate the boredom factor by structuring the meeting as an interactive exercise in which each official is required to speak on his or her responsibilities in specific situations by answering specific questions.

8. CREW CHIEF CREW CONSULTATIONS
Know EXACTLY what the coach is questioning
“Get Help” doesn’t cut it – “For What?”
Entire Crew consults, no umpire left out, Crew Chief leads the discussion.
Calling umpire
what you saw
why you called what you called
Anything different?
All other umpires – whatcha got?
MUST know who will do what after consultation ends
Have a plan (be specific for each umpire)
NO CHANGE: calling umpire will signal after consult ends
CHANGE: calling ump & CC will explain to opposing HC first, then calling ump signals change

9. CREW CHIEF POST GAME REVIEW
Conducting a postgame review immediately after the game is a vital part of the crew chief’s job.
He or she must be familiar with the crew chief report and use that as a basis for discussion.
Did the umpires work as a crew? Were there any breakdowns in mechanics?
Did a rule interpretation arise? Did the crew have to come together for any discussions on the field? If so, were they handled properly?
Were there any issues with the crew during the game?
Were there any confrontations with coaches or players? If so, were they handled correctly?
The crew chief must also cover sensitive subjects, like accuracy of the strike zone and each crew member’s judgment calls.

10. CREW CHIEF
REPORTS
The crew chief is responsible for communicating the good and bad to the District Coordinator via the game report and/or the crew chief report within 24 hours of the game.
A typical report includes information on how the umpires functioned as a crew, performance (strike zone, tough calls), game conditions, field crew, observer evaluation and event management.
The crew chief job is not an easy one and must be taken seriously. He or she must know the tendencies, strengths and weaknesses of each member. Some umpires get prepared for a game differently (i.e., very focused, quiet). Others are more laid back. As a crew chief you must be vigilant and proactive to anything that could possibly create a problem (bad blood between coaches, teams and players, mascots, event staff). Don’t wait for someone to bring it to your attention; be proactive.

11. Questions & Answers