1. 2013 Heartland Softball Umpire Camp Des Moines, IA October 4-6

2. Game Management The Essential Skills For Every Game
What It Takes To Elevate Your Game To The Next Level!

3. What Does It Take To Manage The Game?
Rule Knowledge
Understand The Rules
Try Mastering The Concepts & Utilize More Than The Written Rule (Sometimes)
Ex: Pitching – Signals or Hands
Reduces Conflicts & Helps Manage The Game
– Without Being Over-officious
- It’s More Than Just Knowing

4. What Does It Take To Manage The Game?
Positioning & Mechanics
Keep The Four Essential Elements In Perspective
When In Proper Position (Plate or Base) – More Likely To Get The Call Correct!
Using Correct Mechanics
Correct Use Of Signals Are Also Important – They Help With…
Combine This With…
& It Will Convince Participants
Your Call Is Correct!

5. What Does It Take To Manage The Game?
Communication
Approachable To Coaches
Listen… Then Articulate Using Book Verbiage
When Appropriate – Involve Your Partner(s) To Help Get The Call Correct.
Learn To Manage Your Line-Up Card Effectively & Quickly
Wait, there’s more…
– Body Language
- Convey Changes To Opposition.

6. What Does It Take To Manage The Game?
Enthusiastically
Calm Demeanor
“Presence”
Enthusiastic:
Passionate!
Hard Working!
Motivated!
Student Of
The Game!
Committed!

7. What Does It Take To Manage The Game?
Enthusiastically
Calm Demeanor
“Presence”
Calm Demeanor:
Manage Stress
Appearance
Disposition
Attitude
Outward Behavior

8. What Does It Take To Manage The Game? “Step Up” - When Needed!
And Finally…
“Step Up” - When Needed!
When the situation calls for it…
If you have Rule Knowledge & Are In The Best Position To Make The Call – OR –
Something “Goofy” happens – OR –
Tensions Rise, Or You Have To Make The Game Changing Call…
Use Your Experience & Step Up To Manage The Game!

9. Master The Concepts & Skill Sets – So You Too Can Manage The Game?
Each Game Is Different
Situations May Need To Be Handled Differently
What Works One Time – May Not Another
Use Your Experience & Feel For The Game
Learn As Much As You Can – From As Many People As You Can & Store It In Your Toolbox!
Questions?