any of those reading this article have umpired for years. For me, this year marks my 25th season of umpiring baseball. In addition I have toiled as an official in hockey, basketball, and softball. During that time, I studied rules, positioning — and thought myself a real student of the game. I thought I really knew how to umpire. Then, I found the internet.

Since my first foray into McGriff’s Message Board in 1996, my knowledge of the game has grown exponentially. In addition to the public boards, I am involved with some private discussion groups. I truly believe that had I been exposed to these areas early in my umpire life, I would have been a much better official. What these resources have done is make me visually umpire hundreds of games.

You name it, it has been discussed.

If you pay attention, you will learn and be prepared for just about anything. Whether it is a rule, ejection, choice of beer, whatever, these resources give us a forum to find out if we are right or wrong — or both. The key is that we continue to learn.

Deja vu

My interference/non-interference "play on" is a perfect example. One of the reasons I got it right is that in my mind, I have already seen that play. I'm prepared for it.

Continued...