WORKING WITH PLAYERS AND COACHES Will Curtis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All American Game