Volunteer Umpires Little League Baseball, Inc. California District 42 Chula Vista, California
Presenters • Ozzie Castillo – District 42 Chief Umpire - Baseball Contact – ozziecastillo12@yahoo.com (619) 948-5972 cell
District 42 Umpire Staff • Shelley White, Chief Umpire- Softball • Robert Hernandez, Assistant Chief Umpire • Steve Loa, Lead Trainer • Hal Kuisel, Lead Trainer • Dennis Williams, Staff Umpire • Joe Butler, Staff Umpire • Robert Bospflug, Staff Umpire • Richard Pol, Staff Umpire • Juan Garcia, Staff Umpire
Topics of Discussion • Why Use Volunteers • Perceived Obstacles / Excuses • Keys To A Successful Program • Recruiting • Training • Developing • Retaining • Recognizing & Rewarding • Moving From Paid To Volunteer • Resources
Why Use Volunteers • Little League Is A Volunteer Program • Quality & Motivation Of Umpires • Associations Generally Send the Least Qualified Umpires to Little League Games • Paid Umpires Are Generally Financially Motivated • Volunteers Are Generally Motivated By A Sense Of Responsibility / Belonging and Community Leadership • Financial
Perceived Obstacles / Excuses • No One Wants To Umpire • You need to ask Them and Yourselves Why • Fan / Manager Abuse – You Need to Stop It • Lack of Support From the Board/ Recognition from the League • Someone else will do it • I’m not trained • I just came to watch • “We’ve Always Done It This Way” • It’s Too Difficult • Politics & Conflicts Of Interest • If I can’t manage why should I help
Start a Successful Program By Recruiting – How & Where to Get Umpires • Registration / Tryouts – Dress Like An Umpire & Ask For Help • Ask Every Team to provide 1-2 people to Umpire • If You Ask – Follow Up • Youth Umpires – Your Junior & Senior Players • Military Personnel • Managers & Coaches – May Help With Verbal Abuse Also • High Schools / Colleges • Community Service Organizations • Fall Ball & TAD Program
Training Umpires • Mechanics & Rules Training – Strike a Balance Rule Books & Clinics/Camps • Use Visual Aids / Videos Tapes • Feed The Attendees • Provide Incentives To Attend Clinics & Workshops & Make Them Fun • Instruct How to Handle Situations & Conflicts • Raffles / Giveaways • Monthly Meetings
Developing Umpires – Following Up On Training • Refresher Clinic During Season • Monthly Meetings • Pre-Tournament Clinic – 3 & 4 Umpire Mechanics • Mentoring / Partnership • Send Umpires To Regional Clinics • Evaluation – Use LL Standards • Accentuate The Positive • Encourage Post-Game Meeting / Debrief • Be Aware Of Individual Goals • Off Season Camps/Clinics
Retaining – Keep Them Coming Back • It Has To Be Fun • Train Them Adequately • Provide Food / Water At Games • Mentors / Partners / Buddies • One Size Does Not Fit All • Find Out What Motivates Each Volunteer • Meetings With League & District UIC • Support – Board Member At Every Game • Say Thank You ! • Let them Know that they are Appreciated
Recognizing & Rewarding • Postseason Recommendations • Newsletter Article • Recognition Dinner / Breakfast • Awards • Most Improved • Umpire’s Spouse Award • Most Enthusiastic • Rookie Of The Year • Pay For Training • Buy Them Equipment / Uniforms • Pins, Hats, T-Shirts • Sponsor The Umpire Registry
Making The Transition – Paid to Volunteer • Identify Your Obstacles • Sell The Benefit To Your Board • Recognize Volunteers Aren’t Free • Training / Equipment • Rewards • Incentives • Recognize It Won’t Be Easy • Someone Has To Own It & Be Passionate About It • It May Take 2-3 Seasons – Recognize It & Plan For It • Start at Lower Levels and Move Up- Caps to Minors to Majors
Resources • Regional Training • Umpire School • Junior Umpire School • Weekend Clinics • Outreach Clinics • District 42 Umpire Staff • Neighboring Districts • Other Leagues • Umpire Registry
Keys To A Successful Program • Local League & Board Support • District Support • Budget For Umpire Volunteers: • Recruiting • Training / Equipment • Developing • Retaining • Recognizing & Rewarding
Developing Umpires for League and District Tournaments • Umpires are Needed for Training • Every League that participates in ALL-STARS shall provide: • 2 Umpires for each team entry of Tournament play-Minimum • Individuals shall not be the same in each Division • Does not include the League UIC • Two new people every year at the Minor Level
Two Umpires per Level / Division-Minimum
District Umpire Training Program • Provides local Clinics for all League Umpires Baseball & Softball -Nov thru Feb • Provides Class room instruction for All Umpires Baseball & Softball twice a month- Jan thru July • Can provide Individual League Clinics - Upon Request • WR Clinics Rule & Mechanics Week-end Camps – February • WR Week School - January
Questions
