Today we’re discussing the innovative group Tru Blu Umpires, founded by college level umpires to recruit, train and advocate for umpires in the Nashville area. This is the group that has helped me grow the most as an umpire and I’m profoundly grateful that they are part of my development and that so many of them have become great friends. You can learn more about them by visiting https://www.trubluumpires.com/

Thanks to NFHS umpire rulebook committee member Bob Leader for coming on the show.

Be sure to reach out to him at bleader5@icloud.com to say thanks or give him feedback.

Also check out his interview with Patrick Faerber at Umpire Classroom at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlZQSgRXUMM

Learn how Coach Ross McMurry ran a play where two runners were within 10 feet of 3rd base before the pitch was delivered. Also hear a rules breakdown from the expert Patrick Faerber of UmpireClassroom.com to see if this play should have been illegal.

Thanks to Patrick and Coach McMurry for being on the show.

Find all of Patrick's videos and trainings at https://www.umpireclassroom.com/

For everything related to the Best Umpire Show go to https://theumpireshow.com/

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Umpire Pay scale survey:

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Contact me at TheUmpireShow@gmail.com

1. Work as close to home as possible

2. Work tournaments, but don't kill yourself doing it

3. Be easy to work with

4. Have a great attitude

5. Be a great partner

6. Expand your menu

7. Attend an umpire camp

8. Invest in yourself so you look and feel good

9. Try different tournaments, schools, leagues

10. Don't wait until you're ready

BONUSES:

1. Don't work for too little

1. Join an association

Send feedback to TheUmpireShow@gmail.com

Extra stuff:

10 Ways To Make More Money as an umpire

1.

Work as close to home as possible

2.

Work tournaments, but don't kill yourself doing it

Choose the games that pay more

Choose the assigners that are great communicators

3.

Be easy to work with

Use their scheduling system

Take the games they give you

Take extra games if they need you to

Run games efficiently and professionally

Work for free, sometimes...

4.

Have a great attitude

Be grateful

Communicate well with the on-site supervisor

Express gratitude to your assignors and athletic directors and sometimes...coaches

5.

Be a great partner

Take the plate more if it's 3/2

Communicate well

Encourage

Ask questions

Talk through situations

Work with the same partners as much as you can

6.

Expand your menu

There's a LOT of softball to be done

Work in your local area

7.

Attend an umpire camp

You'll improve

You'll make great connections

8.

Invest in yourself so you look and feel good

Get the right equipment

Get certified

9.

Try different tournaments, schools, leagues

10.

Don't wait until you're ready

BONUS: Don't work for too little.

1. Maximizing Tournament Work (5 minutes):

• Strategies for getting assigned to tournaments with higher pay rates.

• Importance of networking with assigners and other umpires at tournament levels.

• How to handle multiple games in a day while maintaining quality performance.

2. Specializing to Boost Income (6 minutes):

• Benefits of specializing in certain leagues or age groups, such as high school varsity or travel ball.

• Certifications needed to officiate at higher-paying levels (e.g., NFHS or NCAA).

• How specialization builds credibility and demand.

3. Game Management Efficiency (4 minutes):

• Tips to speed up games without compromising fairness or quality.

• How game management skills can lead to more game opportunities.

• Avoiding penalties or protests that could harm your reputation.

4. Diversify Umpiring Roles (6 minutes):

• Exploring roles beyond baseball, like softball, to increase overall earnings.

• Training for related officiating roles (e.g., plate vs. base specialization).

• How to leverage skills across different sports for year-round income.

5. Off-Field Opportunities (7 minutes):

• Hosting umpire clinics or mentoring new umpires for additional pay.

• Writing or blogging about umpiring tips for supplemental income.

• Opportunities for selling umpire gear or partnering with local equipment suppliers.

6. Leveraging Social Media (5 minutes):

• Building a personal brand as an umpire on platforms like Instagram or YouTube.

• Offering paid consultations or reviews of umpire mechanics online.

• Networking through social media to find hidden opportunities.

7. Tackling Burnout for Sustainability (5 minutes):

• Importance of pacing yourself for longevity in the umpiring field.

• Strategies to stay motivated and professional during busy seasons.

• How sustainability in umpiring can lead to consistent earnings over time.

The Progression of Punishment: When to Eject and When to Hold Back

Be sure to check out Patrick Farber's video on ejections - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOMTNKJ4LR4

Ejections should be rare—but when should I actually eject a coach? In this episode of The Best Umpire Show, I break down The Progression of Punishment and share the steps I take before sending a coach packing. Good game management is all about de-escalation, keeping control, and making sure coaches stay in the game when possible.

1. Ignore

2. Acknowledge

3. Warn

4. Restrict

5. Eject

I share a personal story from a 10U travel ball game where a coach turned a minor disagreement into an unnecessary ejection. Looking back, I could have handled it differently, and I want to help you learn from my experience.

I also analyze a viral ejection video gone wrong, where an umpire escalated things instead of walking away. The lesson? Avoid power struggles. Stay calm, set clear expectations, and don’t let emotions take over.

💬 What’s your strategy for handling difficult coaches? Let me know in the comments or send me an email—I’ll feature the best responses in a future episode!

📩 Subscribe for more umpiring tips! ⚾

Send questions and feedback to TheUmpireShow@gmail.com

In this debut episode of The Best Umpire Show, I introduce the mission of the show: to help you become the best umpire you can be. The title isn’t a claim that I’m the best umpire out there—it’s about all of us striving to improve every game.

I also break down the Top 10 Reasons People Become Umpires:

1️⃣ Love for the Sport – If you’re like me, baseball has always been a huge part of your life, and umpiring keeps you connected.

2️⃣ Community Involvement – Umpiring is a great way to give back and stay involved in local baseball.

3️⃣ Physical Activity – This job keeps you moving. Forget the gym—just call a doubleheader!

4️⃣ Side Income – Let’s be real, the extra cash is a nice perk, and it doesn’t require a 9-to-5 commitment.

5️⃣ Camaraderie – The umpire crew is like a second family. Some of my best friendships have come from this job.

6️⃣ Being a Role Model – Whether you realize it or not, young players watch how we carry ourselves.

7️⃣ Career Aspirations – Some start as a hobby and end up working high-level games.

8️⃣ Frustration with the Current State of Umpiring – If you’ve ever complained about bad calls, stepping onto the field is your chance to do better.

9️⃣ Respect for the Game – We love baseball, and being an umpire is about upholding the integrity of the sport.

🔟 Desire to Stay on the Field – I know a lot of former players and coaches who umpire because they just can’t stay away from the game.

To wrap things up, I share some actionable steps if you’re looking to get started:

⚾ Find local leagues that need umpires.

⚾ Start watching games through an umpire’s lens.

⚾ Invest in training and mentorship.

⚾ Volunteer to get experience.

⚾ Join The Best Umpire Show community to connect and grow.

If you’re ready to step behind the plate, let’s get started. This episode is for you!

#umpirelife #baseballumpire #umpires

Send feedback to TheUmpireShow@gmail.com