Houlton

We would like to thank the following 2016 World Series umpires who came to Bangor, we hope you had a great time:

Ken Armstrong (New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada)

Matthew Bingaman (Harrisburg, Pa.)

Nick Boylan (Fort Wayne, Ind.)

Weldon Herring (Brenham, Texas)

Phillip Levesque (Nashua, N.H.)

Jules Martina (Hague, Holland)

Christopher Mathis (Orchard, Wash.)

James Meurer (Naperville, Ill.)

Amy Steinrich (Palm Bay, Fla.)

Brian Sweet (Bellevue, Wash.)

Francis Teofilo-Soerka (Willemstad, Curacao)

David Wellington (Sterling, Va.)

Dan Wilkinson (Albuquerque, N.M.)

Introducing teenagers to the craft of umpiring in Little League® expands the volunteer ranks in your league or district, while creating a fun way for young adults to learn leadership, responsibility, and accountability. Whether a high school athlete, or not, becoming a junior umpire in a local Little League program offers teens a way to grow their self-esteem and gain experience in a fun, educational setting.

Where to Find Them -  Umpire-In-Chiefs (U.I.C.s) know how difficult it can be to recruit volunteer umpires. At the same time, teenagers are looking for opportunities to prove themselves, and in many school districts, are often looking to collect civil service hours to be credited toward graduation and volunteer activities to build their resumés. By reaching out to the athletic directors in your area, or the local high school or even college baseball and softball coaches, U.I.C.s can connect with a new constituency of volunteers that are available, and willing to donate their time. It is important to organize the recruiting and training program through the U.I.C. Your local high school athletic and guidance offices will provide direction and, in many cases, assistance with identifying junior umpire candidates. Once you have assembled a list and secured commitments from the students, then place them into your league’s training program.

How to Train Them -  After each new recruit successfully completes the volunteer application and approval processes, be sure to offer access to upcoming additional educational opportunities. Highlight district and regional training, including the umpire mechanics clinics held each spring at Little League International. Direct them to the Umpire section on Little League University, and share the resources available through the Little League Umpire Registry. With leadership provided through a league’s locally-developed mentoring regimen, experienced Little League umpires can be partnered with their junior counterparts. Together, in real-time situations, they will train and practice throughout the season. Local leagues establish what junior umpires will wear on the field. As an incentive, the local league can provide these umpires-in-training with access to the proper safety equipment and help them procure uniform items. It is encouraged that they dress the part, but by no means is it mandatory or even highly recommended. With comfort comes confidence. The desire is to have these new umpires become acclimated at a steady pace, while having fun. To avoid overwhelming them, place each junior umpire into an environment where they can become comfortable with the game from this new and different perspective. By beginning in the Minor Division, these new umpires can learn the proper mechanics and apply the rules at a manageable speed. At the same time, the players and coaches at this level can be excited about having “real umpires” officiate their games.

Why They Are Important -  Inviting high school baseball and softball players to volunteer, along with their coaches, brings an inherent level of credibility and respect in the eyes of the local league, and helps your league develop an important relationship with your local high school programs. That relationship can pave the way to building your league, especially at the teenage level. Current Little League players and coaches may know, or know of, the high schoolers turned umpires. And the collection of new, young volunteers will likely have ties back to the local league.

In much the same way coaches and players prepare for the season, umpires too have to train and tone their minds and bodies. Reviewing the Little League® rules, sharpening on-field mechanics, committing to improve one’s physical well-being, and making sure your gear is ready, all contribute to umpires being at the top of their game when the season begins.

Review the Rules -  Before you hit the field, hit the books. Review the current Little League Baseball® and Little League Softball® rulebooks, focusing on the new or adjusted rules. Also take the time to read “Make the Right Call,” which is the casebook for Little League Baseball and Softball umpires. Both publications are available through Little League’s online store, and provide insight into all of the rules that you are expected to know and apply.

Master the Mechanics - The Little League University website has many training and education materials designed for umpires, including a robust video library that features field mechanics that umpires will use on a regular basis. Also online is the Little League Umpire page on LittleLeague.org. There you will find the current year’s schedule of umpire training clinics and access to the Umpire Registry. Every Little League umpire is strongly encouraged to attend at least one training season per year, in order to stay up-to-date with the rules, mechanics, and best practices.

Focus on Fitness -  In addition to having the knowledge and education, an umpire must be physically capable of performing the duties on the field. Agility is critical to being in the proper position to see a play as it happens and render an accurate call. During the offseason, flexibility and responsiveness is often diminished, so it is important to put the time in to training your body to move at the speed of your mind. Easy ways to improve personal fitness include, regularly taking brisk walks to increase cardiovascular conditioning; and a full-body stretching routine that will improve muscle response. Both activities will help to prevent injury, and likely make the season more enjoyable.

Get the Gear -  Another key area of preparation is making sure wardrobe and gear are ready. Assess your equipment and the umpire uniform. Make sure your protective gear is in excellent working condition; and that your umpire hats, shirts, pants, belts, and shoes (including laces), and undergarments are clean and ready to go. If you need one, or more, umpire patches for the left sleeve of your shirts, they can be purchased through Little League’s online store. Remember, it’s always good practice to have two of everything in your game bag, just in case. As players and coaches are working hard to get ready for the season, now is the time for you to do the same, so that the start of your umpiring season can be successful.

Watching Little League® games can be as much fun as playing in them. Here are three easy resources to help your enjoy the season from the bleachers.

Know the Pledge -  Before the game, as the players say their pledge, remember that the Little League Parent and Volunteer Pledge expresses a sentiment that is just as impactful to the Little League experience, regardless of age or division.

The Little League Parent and Volunteer Pledge -  I will teach all children to play fair and do their best I will positively support all managers, coaches and players I will respect the decisions of the umpires I will praise a good effort despite the outcome of the game To understand these ideals can help everyone at the games be more appreciative of why Little League has come to be about so much more that hitting, catching and throwing a ball. Before every game at the Little League Baseball® World Series, both the Player’s Pledge and the Parent and Volunteer Pledge are recited, which can be a great tradition to implement at your local league.

Be a Second-Goal Parent® -  Well before the first pitch, there are other great ways to make the everyday things more meaningful. Working with the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), there is a special, free quick-course for Little League parents to help them focus on the importance of being a “Second-Goal Parent”. While Little League Double-Goal Coaches have two goals -- winning, and more importantly, teaching life lessons through baseball and softball, “Second-Goal” Parents are focused on the “second goal” of helping children take life lessons from sports.

Respect Others -  Whether you’re along the fence, or in the stands at game time, coming to the field ready to offer encouragement and praise is what generates positive energy. A tool from Little League’s A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP), the Sport Parent Code of Conduct can help all parents and all Little League spectators enjoy their time on the bleachers this season, as the children enjoy their time on the field. Always keep in mind that how you carry yourself reflects on you, your family, league, and community. Acting responsibly can help people attending the game emulate what makes Little League exciting for the players. Little League has been such an important part of young lives for generations. For you, these three prep steps offer teachable moments, and may make the time spent at your local field more enjoyable now, and for years to come.

Rob Guthrie, Little League® Turf and Groundskeeper, knows a little something about getting Little League fields ready for play. As the individual in charge of the fields at the Little League International Complex in South Williamsport, Pa., he leads a corps of volunteers who prep and preen Howard J. Lamade and Volunteer Stadiums during the Little League Baseball World Series. Here are his seven tips for maintaining your local fields during your Little League season:

1.Increase the mowing frequency for the field, as often as two or three times per week. Mowing more often has two benefits – less of the actual grass blade is removed from the top and grass clippings are reduced, both of which make for a healthier turf bed. If available, a zero-turn mower works best.

2.Use and apply a very simple fertilizer to combat crab grass, which affects the field and can creep into the infield cutout. A slow-relief fertilizer with dimension herbicide is suggested, and you should follow application instructions on the product, suited to proper timing based on the local climate.

3.If irrigation is available, set up a watering schedule that allows for regular, deep watering. This pushes the grass roots down as the roots seek water. In turn, it builds a deep root structure that lasts throughout the season, even as weather gets drier in the late summer months. Also, applying water to the infield skin with regular frequency and before games maintains a tighter surface that reduces dust and prevents the infield from breaking apart.

4.Repair the pitching mound and home plate areas after each use. Using a watering can and hand tamp to fill and repair holes provides for the best and safest playing surface. Frequency of maintenance minimizes damage that can easily accumulate over the course of the season.

5.Be sure to periodically edge the borders where the grass meets the infield skin. This is especially important along the baselines to prevent the grass from encroaching into the dirt areas. The back arc of the infield is another area that should receive regular edging maintenance.

6.Additionally, in the edges where grass meets the infield skin, use a soft-bristle broom to push dirt from the grass back onto the infield to minimize the creation of a severe, and possibly dangerous lip. If higher lips have built up over time, a hose can be used to directionally blast water through those higher lips and knock them down back into the infield skin.

7.Frequently over-seed heavily trafficked areas such as the front of the pitching mound and locations where defenders and umpires regularly stand. Spreading some seed in these small areas and working it into the location with a rake a few times throughout the year builds a better seed bank and limits spots of visible wear.