(Reprinted from Strictly Sport, July 1995)
By Sean B. Pasternak
Despite what sarcastic baseball fans the world over may say, blindness is not a prerequisite for becoming an umpire.
In fact, umpires today need to more than just how blow the big call, or how to kick sand back at an arguing coach. Much more.
"We work just as hard as the ball players," says Dan Cameron of the Metro Toronto Umpire Association. "As an umpire, you're in charge of the game."
Cameron was one of many experienced arbitrators who were host to umpiring clinics over the past few months. Such clinics are designed to teach the finer points of the position. His audience, a group of local teens, gathered at Toronto's Northern Secondary School for a series of four-hour classes, in hopes of spending the summer as an ump.
"I've been doing this (umpiring) for five years, and right now this is just about the best summer job I can think of," says 15-year-old Nick Daube.
What sorts of training can one acquire at an umpiring clinic? In the case of Cameron's class, the day began with stretching exercises to loosen up.
"We've got to be in just as good shape as the players if we want to keep up with them," Cameron instructed the group of future Joe Brinkmans and Rich Garcias.
After the warm-ups came a discussion about suitable equipment. Even though they'll be overseeing house league games, umpires for the Metro Toronto Baseball Association are expected to dress at a near-major league level. This includes regulation footwear (hardtoed black cleats and black socks), grey pants, and protection for the shins, chest, groin and head.
"You can't go onto the field with your hat turned around backwards, looking like a slob," says Cameron. "To get the respect from the coaches, you've got to look the part."
Of course, no umpiring uniform would be complete without a plate brush, indicator (to keep track of strikes, balls and outs) and ball bag in tow. Proper use of this equipment was discussed at the clinic, as well as the different types of equipment that are on the market.
Attitude was the next topic of discussion. Part of being in control for an umpire is to also keep your cool and make calls with confidence, especially when players, coaches, and even parents openly dispute a call. According to Metro Toronto Baseball Association rules, it's okay for someone to argue, but insulting the umpire can spell ejection for the offender.
"I've found that a lot of the parents will start arguing with me at the games and not know what they're talking about," Daube says. "It's best to just ignore it, but when a player starts arguing, that's when it might cause problems."
Next on the agenda was the beginning of a thorough look at baseball's intricate rulebook. Included were demonstrations by senior umpires, and drills that concentrated on pivoting and positioning techniques. This was followed by a lengthy question and answer period, where young umps asked the pros about certain scenarios they had seen or encountered firsthand.
Once the umpires had concluded all three clinics, they were given a 30-question exam based on a range of the topics covered. This does not even include on-site evaluations that senior officials such as Daube, Adam O'Byrne and Paul Hodges will conduct throughout the season, to measure how much the rookies have learned!"Because the umpires are in control of such a large number of players (approximately 1000 players across Toronto), we have to make sure everyone's on top of their game," O'Byrne says.
This is an attitude that may make you reconsider the next time you question an umpire's call.
