Play Ball

Long before the fields are lined, the rosters are filled, and the first pitch of opening day, there is an army of umpiring officials in communities across the land preparing for the 2018 baseball season. As a veteran of 23 years, I will be joining my umpire association in our eight-week training consisting of classroom, field mechanics, and plate work. Certifications are based on the level of play and our association requires all its members to pass the National Federation High Schools (NFHS) exam with a score of 90%. Nice to know that anyone that I am partnered with throughout the year are holding this same standard.

But is this enough to be set for the season ahead?

John C Maxwell is a motivational speaker and author with a focus in leadership. He recently shared a thought on his Facebook page regarding preparation and it struck a chord. He said, “Preparedness is a state of readiness. My mentor, John Wooden used to say that when opportunity comes, it”s too late to prepare…The point is that we need to be intentional each day about being prepared so when opportunity comes our way we can immediately seize the chance”.

I realize the success of my performance lies in the hands of one thing: preparation. Whether it”s a 12-year-old recreation league game, a high school championship game or an over-45 adult league tournament game, they all deserve the best from their officials.

Umpire calls the play
An umpire calls the play.

My avocation as a baseball umpire has been an adventure in learning and growth. Game management, field mechanics, strike zones, rules interpretation and enforcement are tools of the trade. I began like many, with a love of the game as a player, a parent, coach and league director. Long after the kids had grown and building families of their own, I realized umpiring builds skills that can be used over a lifetime. The qualities that are the makeup of a good official are also the qualities that makeup a good employee, spouse, parent, friend, teammate and leader. Teamwork, loyalty, sacrifice, decision-making, fair-mindedness, accountability, three dimensional and honesty are some of the positive skills and qualities that can be learned, developed and implemented into your game.

Game On.

George Prior, 2018-01-08 | Posted in General