While the
2018 baseball season official opening days are still weeks away, in the world of
baseball the pre-season has begun. It
ranges from competitive inter-squad games including umpires in sun friendly
states, to indoor baseball facilities crackling of the bats and the popping of
the gloves with bitter freeze outside.
Yesterday I
was fortunate enough to be working a nine inning NAIA inter-squad scrimmage at a
beautiful ball park for William Jessup University in Lincoln, Ca. I began the game working the plate, the sky
was overcast with fog and about a 56 degree temperature. Then it got even
better. By the time the fifth inning rolled around I was now working the
bases, the fog had cleared to a beautiful 62 degree sun filled day. In retro-spec it was a truly phenomenal day,
but there was work to be done!
Most umpires
will tell you prior to, during and even after a game our primary focus is officiating
and processing the game, no matter the weather or field conditions. Yesterday
was no exception. While I was very appreciative of the opportunity to work at
such an awesome facility with great weather, these aspects were secondary.
Primary
objectives for umpires is to appear calm, hustle and in control on the field. In
reality our brains are awash with hundreds of continual visual images and
cognitive thoughts pertaining to those images. An umpire’s ability to quickly process
dozens of visual images then in seconds accurately rule on what he has seen is
crucial to becoming a respected umpire. Sound complicated and challenging? It
is!
While the
work required of umpires is continual and daunting, at least we can always hope for great ballparks and perfect spring weather.
P.S. our 2018 High School Edition is Coming Soon!
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