1. PASSION or PRIDE

2. Pay Attention to Your Appearance
First impressions are a reality.
I care about the game.
Weight and appearance have nothing to do with the ability to umpire.
It is the perception that can be negative.
How you feel about yourself is the most important factor in your success.

3. Who is Playing this Game?
Are searching for technical violations?
Spirit and intent of the rule.
Common Sense Approach
Let them play the game.
Don’t be overly impressed by your role.
You can’t fix it if you don’t recognize it,
acknowledge it and take responsibility for
overcoming it.

4. How is the Game Going to be Called?
Interference
Blowouts
When do you steal a strike?
Do your part to stroke their Passion for the game.

5. REWARD the GOOD PLAY Bang/Bang Play Low pitch or High pitch?
Inside corner or outside corner?

6. PREGAME Be early, win the coach over. Tour the Field. Partner
Get the mind focused on the game.
The quality of a player’s(Umpire’s)
performance is determined in the split second he decides how to respond to the last performance.

7. EJECTIONS and DARKNESS
Coaches Nightmares
Can't Win Situation
Rain
Lightning
Safety Concerns

8. IS IT DIFFERENT IN THE FIRST or THE NINTH?
Realistic Strike Zone
Consistency is Gold.
Avoid Extremes
Be consistent with others at the level of play.

9. BE POSITIVE Thank a coach or player whenever possible.
If possible, remember names of coaches and catchers.
Simple courtesy can keep things calm.

10. KNOWLEDGE is EXPECTED Confession is not always good. Right or Wrong
If I saw it from where you did.
Get the call RIGHT!!!
Egoless decisions

11. THIS is A PEOPLE BUSINESS
Relate to an angry pitcher, catcher or coach.
Calm, don’t Inflame.
Arrogance causes problems.
A big part of deciding what we want to be is
Realizing what we want to avoid becoming.

12. WITHOUT YOU