WEEK 1 IS IN THE BOOKS! Message from Paul - March 11, 2024
I do not ever remember such a good weather-wise first week of the high school baseball season...
We only had one bad day (Thursday) but most teams switched off that day early or we had a game at St. Pats go on the turf at night. I appreciate everyone's help!
Now on to Week 2!
Some things to focus on... 1) If you have not completed your IHSA Baseball Test or Rules Video: March 19th is the last day...get it done! We had 9 officials that were not on the cleared list as of a week ago and all of them worked their issues out with downstate so they could officiate games this past week. You do not want to be placed on probation for not completing the rules test or video.... 2) First week issues: We had a couple umpires wearing non IHSA dress. You cannot have patches from other states on your shirts or jackets. Your hats either need to have the IHSA Logo or be blank. No college association affiliated hats should be worn at high school games. They can if you have JC games for me and you match your partner. Also, do not wear your hats backwards and put your mask on over it. That is unprofessional....Buy a short brim hat...Look the part. 3) Ejections: We had one ejection and in talking to all parties and reviewing the actual ejection report it may have been unwarranted. Before ejecting any player, please make sure you give the coach /team an actual warning. Use the words "this is your warning". There will be situations if student-athlete uses profanity or bumps you while arguing, you can eject without a warning. This is high school baseball - not little league. Pitchers can pitch inside... If it is a windy day, pitchers who throw curves may have a difficulty finding the plate. I am not sure if you should be ejecting someone for throwing at the batters without intent. The ejection was filed and the player did sit their game penalty. If you do eject a player or coach, please make sure you email me or text me following the game. I need to be in the loop. If you have issues with fans, please let home team game ADMINISTRATION deal with those issues. Inform the home team coach of the problem/issue, and let them deal with it. Again, contact me if the issue was not addressed by the school. 4) Please be approachable: If coaches are complaining about an issue (balks,pitching motion,comments by players) address it with the head coach at an appropriate time. between batters, between half innings, etc... 5) There are two types of pre-games: One betweeen the officials omly - in the parking lot. The other at home plate with the officials and head coaches. Both are critical to a successful game. DO NOT walk out on the field by yourself in a two man game..You walk out there as a team of two officials. Park nearby one another. 6) Get to your game 30 minutes prior to the start! I know there is traffic and construction.... do your best to get there safely.
I appreciate all the umpires taking games this week with the great weather...Monday does not look good, but the remainder has the potential to be playable!!! Keep your blocks up to date...
Again...I do need some help starting conference week with lower level games...especially at Montini, IC Prep, Wheaton St. Francis, Marmion and ACC... If you know of other lower level officials who may want to assist with this, please send me their contact info...You will get a discounted rate next year when you rejoin!!
Our mentoring program went well this spring...we had 3 different games that we have utilized to assist 8 officials become better officials..I appreciate the 8 umpires who went up to Montini, Providence and DeLaSalle the last three weekends...I want to thank Rob Hacker and Dave Wetzel who assisted in this process!!! I was at DeLaSalle.
Let's move on to Week 2....Continue to hustle, call strikes that are strikes and be consistent doing it!!! I have had some positive feedback from coaches also and that is always good!!!
Update your blocks...
Paul
Some things to focus on... 1) If you have not completed your IHSA Baseball Test or Rules Video: March 19th is the last day...get it done! We had 9 officials that were not on the cleared list as of a week ago and all of them worked their issues out with downstate so they could officiate games this past week. You do not want to be placed on probation for not completing the rules test or video.... 2) First week issues: We had a couple umpires wearing non IHSA dress. You cannot have patches from other states on your shirts or jackets. Your hats either need to have the IHSA Logo or be blank. No college association affiliated hats should be worn at high school games. They can if you have JC games for me and you match your partner. Also, do not wear your hats backwards and put your mask on over it. That is unprofessional....Buy a short brim hat...Look the part. 3) Ejections: We had one ejection and in talking to all parties and reviewing the actual ejection report it may have been unwarranted. Before ejecting any player, please make sure you give the coach /team an actual warning. Use the words "this is your warning". There will be situations if student-athlete uses profanity or bumps you while arguing, you can eject without a warning. This is high school baseball - not little league. Pitchers can pitch inside... If it is a windy day, pitchers who throw curves may have a difficulty finding the plate. I am not sure if you should be ejecting someone for throwing at the batters without intent. The ejection was filed and the player did sit their game penalty. If you do eject a player or coach, please make sure you email me or text me following the game. I need to be in the loop. If you have issues with fans, please let home team game ADMINISTRATION deal with those issues. Inform the home team coach of the problem/issue, and let them deal with it. Again, contact me if the issue was not addressed by the school. 4) Please be approachable: If coaches are complaining about an issue (balks,pitching motion,comments by players) address it with the head coach at an appropriate time. between batters, between half innings, etc... 5) There are two types of pre-games: One betweeen the officials omly - in the parking lot. The other at home plate with the officials and head coaches. Both are critical to a successful game. DO NOT walk out on the field by yourself in a two man game..You walk out there as a team of two officials. Park nearby one another. 6) Get to your game 30 minutes prior to the start! I know there is traffic and construction.... do your best to get there safely.
I appreciate all the umpires taking games this week with the great weather...Monday does not look good, but the remainder has the potential to be playable!!! Keep your blocks up to date...
Again...I do need some help starting conference week with lower level games...especially at Montini, IC Prep, Wheaton St. Francis, Marmion and ACC... If you know of other lower level officials who may want to assist with this, please send me their contact info...You will get a discounted rate next year when you rejoin!!
Our mentoring program went well this spring...we had 3 different games that we have utilized to assist 8 officials become better officials..I appreciate the 8 umpires who went up to Montini, Providence and DeLaSalle the last three weekends...I want to thank Rob Hacker and Dave Wetzel who assisted in this process!!! I was at DeLaSalle.
Let's move on to Week 2....Continue to hustle, call strikes that are strikes and be consistent doing it!!! I have had some positive feedback from coaches also and that is always good!!!
Update your blocks...
Paul