About My Participation ....
This letter, written to a fictitious tournament director, is designed to provide background on an area where we all can improve our game knowledge and understanding. You can contribute your own "letters" or add your own comments to the "Dear Coach" section by e-mailing them to . This "letter" is authored by Brent McLaren. Any and all opinions and interpretations are his own ... etc. etc. Thank you to the many umpires who have commented on the article and assisted in correcting the "finer points."
A Foreword Editorial
I recently worked a tournament in which professional umpires and amateur umpires were working games at the same field complex. There were many contrasts:
- they had sponsored pro equipment and clothing, we had the same equpiment but it was our own.
- they had reserved parking next to the diamond, we parked several fields, hundreds of yards away
- they changed in an air-conditioned secure dressing room, we changed in the dugouts
- they had food and drinks supplied, we provided our own
- they were paid well per game plus per diems, hotels etc., we were completely volunteer
- both crews called a good game
Dear Tournament Director,
I am an umpire, a volunteer, who will be coming to your tournament and working with you for several days. In order to make my work as enjoyable as possible I thought some explanations and open communication might help.
Payment
Let's get this out of the way first. I ask for four things: good kids, good baseball, a warm smile and an honest thank you. Everything else is a bonus.Here are some of the things you can do for me that are the bonuses:
Parking
I try to arrive at the tournament site approximately one and one-half hours before the first game. My car is my roving office. It contains my valuables, extra clothing, my shoes, equipment and coats. My equipment and clothing bags are heavy. Having parking near the field is also important in case of a change of plans or emergency. Please have a parking space reserved for me near the dressing area if space is limited.The worst case scenario has already happened several times in the past. I arrive and am denied access to the site by parking authorities. I am directed to park several blocks or multiple parking lots away from the tournament site, have to pay to park and then find someone to help me haul my equipment bags the distance. Please ensure this does not happen.
Dressing Area
I can dress at my car but this is not the ideal solution. A room with something to hold hangers and a few chairs would be much better. At the end of the game I will have a considerable amount of wet clothing to hang up in order to dry. A table to lay my equipment out on as I clean and dry it would also be nice.If there is no dressing area available I need to know whether I will be working the plate or bases on the first game before I leave for the site. The clothing I wear is totally different for each assignment, right down to different pants and compression tights. It takes me about 30 minutes to properly prepare for a plate game, slightly less for bases.
There should be no smoking in the dressing room area.
Security
I will arrive at your site with over $1000 in personal equipment and am very concerned that I leave with all intact. This area should be secure from public and team access since much of what I will carry is not easy to replace and is essential for me to do my best for you and your tournament. A locked room is not required, but a supervised area with only tournament officials or umpires having access is better, again, non-smoking please.
Water
I will go through approximately 2 litres of cold water before and during a game. No soft drinks or fruit juices please. Gatorade or other thirst quenchers are okay but water is best. Most umpires prefer not to go into the dugouts during a game so having a way to get a bottle of water to the field between innings is ideal. If you are not supplying bottles of water I will bring my own. Please let me know.
Food
I rarely eat before a game but after the game it is nice to have something. Nothing fancy; a hot dog or hamburg is usual fair. Some fruit is a welcome treat. If it is going to be provided great. If I am expected to provide my own food, no problem, I'll pack a lunch, but I must know in advance one way or the other.If your meal requires me to have a ticket or arrive at the food service area during specific hours I should know that. Having worked a game from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and lunch stops serving at 1:30 it is not likely that I will make those time lines given the amount of equipment to clean and clothing to attend to.
Clear Explanation of Expectations and Rule Variations
Have you ever called the Infield Fly Rule or a balk only to have a coach bring out a piece of paper that says the rule will not apply during the tournament? How about, "Time, that pitcher is ineligible!" It happens far to often, worse, I no longer look like I am in control of the game.Proper briefing of the umpire is important. I need to know the pitching, substitution, reentry and any other rule variants. I should be briefed on any ground rules or field conditions I might encounter and have a chance to go through the tournament package.
Opening Ceremonies or Pre-Game Activities
If you are going to introduce each player, have a national anthem, pledge reading, ceremonial pitch or public presentation please let me know in advance. I will stand wherever you want and take charge when my time comes, but I have to know what is going to happen. My job is to make a baseball game happen: that is my focus and direction. The moment I come to the plate I have only two things to do: have the plate conference and get the game underway. Your site coordinator and announcer should look after any readers or presenters. My job is to umpire.
Tournament Pins, Shirts or other Mementos:
Every umpire I know is a collector. I am no different. Having a tournament shirt, club or team pin is one way of me remembering the day long after. If there are souvenirs on sale at the site I am often the first in line to buy one. If you are going to give us one for working the tournament it is nice to do so up front, or let me know; this way neither of us is embarrassed and I don't spend unnecessarily.
My Game Schedule
Unless the weather conditions (and level of play) are ideal I generally prefer not do back-to-back games. You expect me to do my best at all times and working consecutive games has proven to be an invitation to mental error. In a pinch I will help you out in anyway but please allow me a modest period of downtime between games if at all possible.If you must plan on me working back-to-back games remember it takes time to switch from my plate equipment to bases equipment (or vice versa), meet with the next crew and discuss rotations as well as obtain some form of refreshment between games. If I have to line up at public concession stands and washrooms between games this can become an extended period of time.
Emergency Contact Phone Numbers
In the unlikely event that something should happen on route I would like the phone number of the tournament site or of a cell phone for a tournament worker. I will immediately call this number should there be a problem on the day of the tournament.
My Family
My wife and children often travel with me to tournaments. They will look after themselves however if you have admission charges it is proper to admit them with complimentary passes. If they are travelling with me I will rarely attend after game receptions or hospitality evenings unless my family can be included.
That's about all
I look forward to the time I am going to spend with you, the other officials and teams. If there are items that you cannot accommodate I will make every effort to work around them but you must let me know in advance. It is only common courtesy.Hope this helps open up the lines of communication for all ....
Still calling them as I see them,
... written August 8, 1997
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