Mechanics

The seventh thing that my assignor looks for in an umpire is mechanics. In my original lecture to our rookies, I pointed out that they had just spent 50 hours (the length of our rookie instruction) learning rules and mechanics. Sixty percent of the instruction time is spent on mechanics, thirty percent on rules, and ten percent on everything else.

They are slightly confused at that point in the lecture. They have spent most of the time of the last nine weeks learning the things that are at the bottom of the assignor's list of important characteristics of a good umpire. Mechanics are not an end in themselves; they are a means to an end. The end result is supposed to be better calls that lead you to item 4, customer satisfaction.

Continued...