Back during my baseball coaching days I was asked to come up with a “cheat sheet” to give to the umpires that worked our organizations games. The umpires were mostly high school baseball players, and anyone who has ever been to a youth sporting event understands how difficult coaches and parents can be. My goal in writing this was to help provide them with a blueprint for how to interact with the coaches, the parents, and the players.
As part of my digital housecleaning kick I’ve been on of late I uncovered that cheat sheet. Unlike 20 years ago, there are a lot more resources for “how to be an effective umpire” available. Having said that, I still feel that this list has value for an umpire, referee, or anyone who has to mediate a game or a dispute.
Umpires must walk a fine line between keeping the game under control and not exacerbating situations with over-aggressive or arrogant actions. Although every situation is unique, umpires on the field should follow the guidelines below:
- Umpires should remain calm, professional, tactful, firm, in control, fair and impartial. They cannot be perceived as overly aggressive, confrontational, hot-headed, short-tempered, timid, intimidated or nervous. Umpires must never display impatience or a condescending attitude.
- Umpires are expected to understand their role as a steady, calming influence on the game. Umpires must be able to sort out complex and important situations and cannot be hesitant to make unpopular decisions.
- Umpires should never ignore occurrences on the field that require their attention to maintain order and control. But when difficult situations arise, it is essential that umpires stay above the emotional fray and never lower themselves to the excitable level of a particular player, manager, or coach. Umpires must be clear and decisive, while not overly aggressive or overbearing. They are expected to become more assertive if the situation calls for such, but must control their temper at all times. All in all, umpires must calm volatile situations while keeping control and managing them.
- Umpires should listen to managers if discussions are reasonable and non-emotional. Umpires are to be firm and authoritative in conversations with managers — but should never initiate an argument. Umpires must not create unnecessary friction by ignoring reasonable inquiries. At the same time, umpires must command respect during difficult situations and never tolerate personal abuse.
- Umpires must avoid sarcastic remarks and profanity and not insist on the last word.
- Umpires cannot look for trouble or invite arguments. If a situation can defuse itself, umpires must allow it to happen. Umpires must not be perceived as having escalated a situation.