MENTORSHIP PROGRAM OVERVIEW

 

MISSION STATEMENT

Bolster the Softball Officials Program and enhance the game of softball, by providing direct support and personal guidance to entry-level umpires during their first years on the diamond.

PURPOSE

The Softball Officials Program is consistently losing young, entry-level umpires in increasing numbers each year.   Structured surveys have not been conducted in the country, however it is clear that young people become disenchanted with the treatment they receive and their position in the game during their first year(s) on the diamond.   These young people are provided basic rule interpretation training and some mechanic work at entry-level clinics, however presently there is no protocol in place to follow up on clinical training.   This training gap exists until the umpire progresses into championship tournaments years down the road, where they are exposed to the evaluation process, and feedback from more experienced umpires.   The problem is, they are dropping out before making that next step.

 

These young people are thrust into game situations, and whether it’s negative feedback they get from coaches, players, and spectators, or simply finding themselves in situations they cannot yet feel confident in handling, our young umpires are losing interest. Consequently, they then do what all young people do when confused and uncomfortable…. they withdraw.

Credibility in any training program requires that the inexperienced be shown the correct way to perform their duties, and then be given the opportunity to perform under the auspices of the experienced, ideally under realistic (game) conditions.   Feedback at this stage is critical, and should be routinely accessible.   Programs developed in this fashion will not only provide a solid foundation for young umpires to build on and feel confident about, but their general skill level and proficiency will increase.

There are also situations where skill development is not necessarily the main issue, and all the young umpire needs is encouragement and support to stay involved.

FEEDBACK

It is important to emphasize that the feedback required here is not to be considered an EVALUATION in any shape or form.   A constructive process of positive reinforcement and general guidance from a MENTOR will provide the entry-level umpire with structure and a foundation on which to build their officiating careers.   Care should be taken to fashion the feedback process over the course of the season, keeping in mind the umpire’s age and capabilities.   The MENTOR will represent a resource for the young umpire, to contact with questions about the game; rules; and problems that may come up over the course of the season.   MENTORS could consider making arrangements for young umpires to attend and observe them work a game as well.

THE PROGRAM

Mentors would be assigned one, two, or perhaps three entry-level umpires for the season.   You will be given latitude to structure your own contact, however the following fundamentals will be agreed to when you sign on:

 Initial telephone call to make contact, and provide telephone number to young umpire for resource purposes.

 Connect young umpire to area assignor if necessary.

 Arrange to attend a game in the very early stages of the young umpire’s season, and begin the process of providing positive reinforcement and guidance (NOT an “evaluation”).

 Attend additional games, and maintain some sort of contact throughout the season, as deemed appropriate by the mentor.

 Follow-up contact at end of season.   Mentor can represent a sounding board for the young umpire, and encourage them to stay involved next year.

 Maintain a mentorship LOG, to be forwarded to the COORDINATOR at season end.

 

ADVANCED PROGRAM

     Umpires with more experience and the potential of progressing into the higher levels of officiating, can also be identified.   Routine feedback from a senior umpire, and some attention paid to game assignments and general progress will ensure officials who have displayed certain skills and desire, will be recognized for advancement.   This type of “mentoring” would be conducted by more experienced umpires, and the feedback involved would reflect higher levels of the game, and the finer points of officiating.

 

   MENTORSHIP LOG

 

MENTOR

 

 

_____________________________________

 

 

ASSIGNED UMPIRES

 

(1) ______________ Ph# ___________

(2) ______________ Ph# ___________

(3) ______________ Ph# ___________

 

 

*Mentorship Coordinator:

 

Peter Kluszczynski/ Level V