APPEARANCE – 1) Looks good in a uniform. 2) Athletic looking and in good physical shape. 3) Uniform clean and pressed with shoes shined. 4) Good posture. 5) Professional mannerisms. 6) Good body language. 7) Looks confident and not arrogant.
MECHANICS / STYLE / FORM – 1) Gives clear and authoritative signals. 2) Smooth and relaxed style. 3) Projects confidence. 4) Coordinates voice and signals. 5) Does not showboat. 6) Does not change mechanics during the game. 7) Strong projection of mechanic into stands.
USE OF VOICE – 1) Voice is loud enough to be heard. 2) Authoritative and assertive. 3) Does not draw undue attention to himself.
TIMING – 1) Does not anticipate play. 2) Allows everything that can happen, to happen before making DECISION, then makes the call. SEE THE PLAY, DECIDE THE PLAY, CALL THE PLAY.
POSITIONING FOR PLAYS – 1) Establishes 90-degree angle for most plays at 1stbase other than the ones to the right side. On these, he gets the largest angle possible without going into foul territory unless he feels pressure from the 2ndbaseman. 2) Force plays. 3) Steals, Pickoffs, Swipe Tags, Run Downs. 4) Fly balls to the outfield (proper coverage, angle, distance to catch/no catch). 5) Fair/Foul Decisions and Mechanics. 6) Lining up tag-ups on fly balls. 7) Watching runners touching bases (head on a swivel). 8) Positioning for batted and thrown balls out of play. 9) Knowledge of proper positioning for plays.
REACTION TO DEVELOPMENT OF PLAYS – 1) Displays good instinct. 2) Knows where plays are going to happen and gets in proper position before play happens. 3) Able to react to 1stplays. 4) Able to react to next possible play. 5) Establishes proper angle for each play. 6) Able to make adjustments to bad throws, pulled foot, swipe tags, etc. 7) Able to react to movements of partner.
JUDGMENT OF PLAYS – 1) Fair/foul decisions. 2) Catch/no catch decisions. 3) Tags and Touches. 4) Force plays. 5) Pickoffs and steals. 6) Rules infractions.
HUSTLE/MOBILITY/COORDINATION – 1) Moves into proper position when ball is hit. 2) Does not ‘give up’ on routine plays. 3) Gets into a set position to make all calls. 4) Has good agility and coordination. 5) Smooth and fluid movements. 6) Does not over hustle to draw attention. 7) Moves back to proper position quickly after plays.
GENERAL DEMEANOR ON THE BASES – 1) Commanding presence. 2) Projects confidence. 3) Authoritative conveyance of body movements. 4) Strong, confident, in charge on the field.
CREW COMMUNICATION – 1) Uses proper verbal and non-verbal communications. 2) Good eye contact with partner between hitters and during developing plays. 3) Acknowledges situation prior to play.
CREW MECHANICS – 1) Good knowledge of proper mechanics. 2) Rotates in the proper situations. 3) Is alert to adjust if partner misses a coverage.
CHECK SWINGS – 1) Judgment of check swings. 2) Assertive display of decision. 3) Use of proper appeal mechanic. 4) Proper use of voice.
ON-FIELD ATTITUDE – 1) Professional. 2) Focused on the game. 3) Alertness. 4) Game intensity. 5) Body language. 6) Fraternization (too much, unapproachable).
OFF-FIELD ATTITUDE & INTERACTION WITH PARTNER AND EVALUATOR – 1) Eagerness to learn and improve. 2) Willingness to accept constructive criticism. 3) Interaction with partner and evaluator. 4) General appearance. 5) General conduct.
HANDLING SITUATIONS – 1) Calm, professional, firm demeanor. 2) Good verbal communication. 3) Does not get rattled or adjust calls because of comments from the dugout(s). 4) Proper use of warnings (again in fall ball this might not be something we need to do or have to do anyway). 5) Does not demonstrate / excessive use of gestures. 6) Able to defuse situation without have to eject. 7) Does not have a ‘quick trigger’, but knows when to eject (again probably not even possible in the fall ball because most situations will be low key). 7) Able to maintain focus on the game after the situation has taken place.
KNOWLEDGE AND APPLICATION OF THE RULES – 1) Solid knowledge of the rules. 2) Familiar with the ‘actual’ rules and their interpretations. 3) Applies rules with common sense and fair play / not overly technical. 4) Applies the appropriate penalties and awards. 5) Understands the concept of specific rules.
WHAT IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL THIS UMPIRE SHOULD BE UMPIRING?