1. Game Management

2. Two Primary Factors Two Primary Factors Coach Coach You You

3. Game Management PERCEPTIONISREALITY

4. Off-Field preparation Off-Field preparation Arrival at the field Arrival at the field Entering the field Entering the field Plate Conference Plate Conference During the Game During the Game

5. Game Management OFF-FIELD PREPARATION Self Confidence Self Confidence Professional Development Professional Development Self-Evaluation Self-Evaluation Appearance Appearance

6. Game Management ARRIVAL AT THE FIELD Appearance Appearance Contact the coaches Contact the coaches Walking the field Walking the field

7. Game Management PRE-GAME WITH PARTNER Establishes a comfort level Establishes a comfort level Discuss possible situations Discuss possible situations Rotations/Coverage, etc. Rotations/Coverage, etc. Unusual circumstances at this field Unusual circumstances at this field History of teams/players History of teams/players

8. Game Management ENTERING THE FIELD Uniforms & Appearance Uniforms & Appearance Establish crew’s “presence” Establish crew’s “presence” Perception is Reality Perception is Reality Talk to players & coaches Talk to players & coaches but be professional but be professional

9. Game Management PLATE CONFERENCE Set the tone Set the tone Have a “routine” and follow it Have a “routine” and follow it Be professional --- “Friendly not Familiar” Be professional --- “Friendly not Familiar”

10. Game Management Surprise is an umpire’s worst enemy, Preparation his best friend (Jim Evans)

11. Game Management DURING THE GAME Mental Discipline Mental Discipline Signals and Making Calls Signals and Making Calls Hustle Hustle Mechanics Mechanics

12. Game Management DURING THE GAME Players on the Field Players on the Field Remain in dugout during live ball Remain in dugout during live ball Limit to Batter and On-Deck Limit to Batter and On-Deck No standing/sitting outside to “watch” the game No standing/sitting outside to “watch” the game Applies to non-players as well (scorekeepers) Applies to non-players as well (scorekeepers)

13. Game Management KEEP THE GAME MOVING Pitches at start and between innings Pitches at start and between innings Batter’s Box Batter’s Box Baseballs Baseballs Passed balls Passed balls Foul Balls Foul Balls Handling Substitutions Handling Substitutions Put the ball in play – EVERY TIME Put the ball in play – EVERY TIME

14. Game Management DURING THE GAME Trips to mound (defensive conferences) Trips to mound (defensive conferences) Loose Equipment Loose Equipment Be alert for possible problems Be alert for possible problems Quiet dugouts early Quiet dugouts early Taunting from Fans Taunting from Fans

15. Game Management DISCUSSIONS & ARGUMENTS There will be disagreements between coaches and umpires There will be disagreements between coaches and umpires If a coach comes out If a coach comes out Be consistent Be consistent Warnings Warnings End arguments quickly End arguments quickly

16. Game Management EJECTION / RESTRICTION We do not eject Coaches and Players………they eject themselves We do not eject Coaches and Players………they eject themselves Cursing an umpire (EJECTION) Cursing an umpire (EJECTION) Physical contact (bumping, shoving, spraying, etc.) (EJECTION) Physical contact (bumping, shoving, spraying, etc.) (EJECTION) Refusing to stop arguing after being warned Refusing to stop arguing after being warned Gestures Gestures Throwing equipment/apparel in the direction of the umpire Throwing equipment/apparel in the direction of the umpire Arguing balls & strikes or check swings Arguing balls & strikes or check swings Comments that are “personal” in nature Comments that are “personal” in nature

17. Game Management FIGHTS Umpire responsibility Umpire responsibility HANDS OFF HANDS OFF Stand back and OBSERVE Stand back and OBSERVE Take Notes Take Notes After order is restored After order is restored

18. Questions ?