Ok i umpire my first game tomorow with 8 year olds?

Question

i have had one training and i believe i will be the field ump. just give me any tips you have.

thnx

Answer 1

when kids are that young the main thing that u wanna do is make sure that the kids are able to have fun. i umped a 9 and 10 year old league and the coaches and parents would treat the games like they were pro games. keep ur cool because some adults can be hard at u but try to make sure that the kids can enjoy themselves and u should enjoy urself

Answer 2

im sure youve seen plenty of tv shows showing crazy parents who go berzerk on the umps, ive never seen that.  Parents are over excited, but I have never seen a parent go nuts on an umpire, or even boo calls they disaprove of.  Just dont look like you have no idea what your doing.  Dont be too slow with your calls, dont be too quick either.  And im assuming that at age 8 they dont even pitch to each other, but thats just a guess.  When i was 8 we either used a Tee, or we had the pitching machine, i cant remember.  

But my best advice to you, is to ask advice from the other umps ;)

Answer 3

Since you're doing the field the most important thing is to not make the call to early.  On plays at first you need to make sure the fielder catches the ball.  I've coached little league for 8 years and I can't tell you how many times I've seen the umpire call the kid out and then have to change the call to safe when the fielder dropped the ball.

Let the play happen, wait about a second, and then make the call.  When making the call be load and hold the out or safe call for a few seconds because sometimes by the time the runner turns around the umpire has finished the call and is just standing there.

Answer 4

Just call accurate strikes, be consistent. Crouch down low, most 8 year olds are short.

Answer 5

Have fun!! Let them have fun( in spite of their parents ) !  Be fair and above all-- do not take yourself too seriously !!

Answer 6

At basically any level, the main tip is to just be consistant. You certainly won't view every call or play the way everyone else does, but as long as you are consistant know one can really complain.