1. The Essentials of Game Management

2. Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC DISCLAIMER Through the use of “social media” many “unique” situations have been caught on camera – these are “real” situations. These photos were procured through public forums! These photos were procured through public forums! Act like you are always on camera! Enjoy! Enjoy!

3. What is an Umpire? Umpire: a person who controls or manages play and makes sure that players act according to the rules in a sports event. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/umpire Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC

4. What is Game Management? Attitude Attitude Field Presence Field Presence Professionalism Professionalism Communications Communications Credibility Credibility Game Awareness Game Awareness Fitness Fitness Team Officiating Team Officiating Common Sense Common Sense Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC

5. Is an umpire’s disposition, his/her communication with players, coaches, and partners. The approach used, his/her outlook for each situation, the mannerism followed and their demeanor. Is an umpire’s disposition, his/her communication with players, coaches, and partners. The approach used, his/her outlook for each situation, the mannerism followed and their demeanor. ATTITUDE ATTITUDE = BEHAVIORS

6. Attitude?

7. How do you change your attitude? How do you change your attitude? ATTITUDE By becoming more tolerant and/or understanding of others, and to respect the role of others in the game.

8. An umpire’s field presence starts with his/her dress and appearance when they first walk on the field. FIELD PRESENCE

10. How do we enhance our Field Presence? Responsiveness to questions should be positive -Be cognizant of his/her attitude and any body language -Be prompt and accurate on calls when partners request help How do we enhance our Field Presence? -Responsiveness to questions should be positive -Be cognizant of his/her attitude and any body language -Be prompt and accurate on calls when partners request help Look the part – make that positive first impression!

11. Look and act like an umpire. How you walk onto the field at the beginning of the game, the signals you give, and once again, your attitude and mannerisms during confrontations. Be on time to all games! Look and act like an umpire. How you walk onto the field at the beginning of the game, the signals you give, and once again, your attitude and mannerisms during confrontations. Be on time to all games! PROFESSIONLISM

12. PROFESSIONLISM Maintain calmness that encourages approachability Maintain calmness that encourages approachability Listen first, then listen some more Listen first, then listen some more Be aware of your body language Be aware of your body language Be aware of your tone of voice Be aware of your tone of voice Be aware of your demeanor & field presence Be aware of your demeanor & field presence

13. - Know the Rules - Maintain Effective communication skills: both Verbal and Listening - Effective Game Management through self- control and a current knowledge of ASA mechanics PROFESSIONLISM

14. Team officiating requires good communication Team officiating requires good communication DO NOT overrule a partner(s) unless they’ve misapplied a rule and then only if the partner requests help. DO NOT overrule a partner(s) unless they’ve misapplied a rule and then only if the partner requests help. Work as a TEAM! Work as a TEAM! Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC Team Officiating /Communications

15. Work Together!

16. Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC Reflect an assurance that the umpire knows exactly what he/she is doing in the game. Reflect an assurance that the umpire knows exactly what he/she is doing in the game. Umpires need to gain RESPECT! Umpires need to gain RESPECT! Credibility comes from continuous hard work and time preparing oneself for the job. Credibility comes from continuous hard work and time preparing oneself for the job. Credibility

17. Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC The ability to both think like a ballplayer and be a student of the game, through game situations. Game Awareness

18. Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC Game Awareness

19. Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC Keep your head in the game as situations vary and you should be prepared and ready for each and every possibility. Game Awareness

20. Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC Appearance is an important aspect of the umpire. If you look like a professional it helps gain respect. Maintaining a good level of fitness not only helps an umpire’s movement but it also improves their ability to maintain focus throughout the game. Appearance is an important aspect of the umpire. If you look like a professional it helps gain respect. Maintaining a good level of fitness not only helps an umpire’s movement but it also improves their ability to maintain focus throughout the game. Fitness / Conditioning

21. Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC Is the ability to make sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts. Is the ability to make sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts. Common Sense GOOD UMPIRING REQUIRES GOOD COMMON SENSE

22. Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC Comes from Leading by example - If you want players to hustle on and off the field then you should hustle to your next position at the end of the inning. Use preventative umpiring techniques to handle “little” problems. “Nip it” early to avoid problems later – Take control when warranted. Game Management

23. Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC Ejections and Forfeits are “No Win” situations! Avoid this whenever possible:

24. Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC Maintain a Professional Appearance A Pre-Game with Partners is a “must” A Pre-Game with Partners is a “must” Enter and Inspect the Field with Partners Enter and Inspect the Field with Partners Pre-Game Conference with Coaches is a “must” Pre-Game Conference with Coaches is a “must” Maintain a Business-like and Professional demeanor at all times Maintain a Business-like and Professional demeanor at all times Support your Crew Support your Crew Listen and Respond with Professionalism Listen and Respond with Professionalism RESPECT the role of Others in the game RESPECT the role of Others in the game Game Management

25. Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC ALWAYS REMEMBER, AN UMPIRE IS EXPECTED “ALWAYS REMEMBER, AN UMPIRE IS EXPECTED TO BE PERFECT THEIR FIRST GAME AND IMPROVE EACH GAME THEREAFTER!!”

26. What is Game Management? Maintaining a Positive Attitude Exhibiting a Confident Field Presence Maintaining Professionalism –LOOK the Part Communication – LISTEN Credibility = RESPECT Game Awareness – Think like a Ball Player Fitness – Be Mentally and Physically Fit Team Officiating – Work with your Partners Common Sense – USE IT Jeff Amaral Massachusetts ASA State UIC

27. The Desired Result is Mutual RESPECT