Breaking a tough job into two big chunks, our officiating Blue Print shows how Rookie Blue (baseball speak for amateur umpires) gets game in a 90 mph fastball hurry: call the strike (learn the mechanics for the Zen Strike Zone) and get in position (learn the mechanics for the Right Right Angle).
Because an umpire can make good money working part-time in the spring and summer--like Ron did for ten years--why not show 11-year-old son Brendan the ropes? Yet with no How-to officiating books handy, Ron thought maybe he could jot down a few things to help out. This simple project, however, grew by leaps and bounds. Diving headlong into the OBR (Official Baseball Rules), watching MLB umpires, amateur umps on the high school and youth ball diamond, umpiring games himself and watching Brendan umpire, Ron studied for three years what works and what doesn't. What came out was a 405-page ebook jam-packed with tips for successful umpiring.
Plus, over 200 photos and illustrations gets you right to the action. At the must-have plate meeting, for example, the Blue Crew spells out their expectations, keeping it short and sweet: "Coach, I've got a wide strike zone. Not crazy wide, but wide. I want everyone to hustle on and off the field. Please talk to us between innings if you have any questions." Shake hands with the skippers; remember their first names. You and your partner can now call ball all day long.
About the author
RON HARTNETT has umpired more than a 1000 youth baseball and softball games, a frequent contributor to the Omaha World-Herald's Midlands Voices feature. Following his four kids through track, soccer, and baseball, he had fun both in the stands and on the sidelines, writing about the unique features of youth sports.
Cell phone: 402/301-4993
Email: nyu61@cox.net
Website: www.umpiringmadeeasy.com
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