Special Article
Post-Game Discussion Among Umpires:
Communicate Effectively
By Norm Gordon
How do we do all that? By having an honest, meaningful post-game discussion of our performance… and THAT starts with having an honest, meaningful Pre-Game!
That pregame meeting should include a basic review of responsibilities, mechanics, rules understandings, and thoughts on previous tricky situations. BUT, keep it on-topic, and relatively short; don’t be long winded!
Typically, there is a contrast between the two partners in knowledge and experience, so this is a good starting point to get both of you on the same page, as well as establishing a system of support for one another. Talk about communication: verbal, non-verbal, signals.
Ask each other the following:
- Is there something specific you’d like me to be alert to: mechanics, positioning; anything.
- Can you keep an eye on me when I do…. (pivot, close in on tag plays, establish my low zone, my high zone, the outside edge)
- How can we communicate properly on a potential rotation play?
OK…so NOW we come to the post-game!
Here, again, don’t be long winded! This is a re-cap, not a clinic, so be on point.
A couple of things I absolutely HATE are vague questions or statements that are not preceded by open and honest discussion. Examples:
- Do you have anything for me?
- Your zone was really off (or good) or (too high/low).
- Good job today; (I’ve got to leave quickly).
- Well, you missed x# of pitches.
A better way to open a discussion is with statements/questions such as:
- How do you feel about your job in general?
- Let’s talk about the specifics you asked about in pregame?
- Remember that play/call in the 3rd inning? How do you feel about it? Do you think you could have done it differently?
- How do you feel about your zone today?
- What did you think of my positioning/mechanics/decision on that play in the 5th inning?
Let your partner express their thoughts on their own performance before offering your opinion. We all have different levels of knowledge and experience, but don’t confuse experience for knowledge, and don’t defer to experience over knowledge. The postgame should not be a one-way flow in the discussion. Share thoughts, opinions, ideas.
- If a partner has a performance that is not up to our standards, there could be many reasons why, but try to concentrate on a few things to improve. Feed information through a garden hose, not a fire hose.
- Suggest that the next game, in pregame, talk about these three things to concentrate on during the game (whatever they may be) with your partner.
- Remind your partner that umpiring a game involves more than mechanics, positions, and calls. If they are good at attitude, appearance, presentation, body language, etc. let them know that these things are also important.
Our objective in the postgame, as well as the pregame, is to share information that can help BOTH of us improve as umpires. Communicate effectively during the pre-game, during the game, and during the post-game! Be a good teacher; be a good student; and we all become better umpires!