Both Sides of the Mask

Many things go through our minds as we are trying to prepare for all our assignments. We have some key elements that we need to be mindful of as we stay focused. We have to be studying film, see what tendencies the team has, distance to the assignment, who your partners are, and how you communicate with your future partners. Every little detail matters as we are preparing for our games. Not to mention, making sure our personal lives are organized before we drive off. 

We need to continue to be honest with one another on the field. Have a voice of reason. Meaning, have an opinion when things are brought to our attention. Communicate in the pre-games, during the games, and after the games with a post-game meeting. Always have your language ready when approached by a coach or gathering together when the crew needs to rule on a play. Lastly, when you are walking into the parking lot, the locker room, walking the field, and even on the field, set the tone. The tone starts when you arrive. The games or series need to start right from the beginning to the end. 

Be encouraging, be thoughtful, be ready, and most importantly...Be Excellent.

Things are heating up. Teams are fighting for conference rankings, possibly being selected for regional host locations, trying to win their conference, or coaches trying to hang on to their jobs.

We have umpires we are working with that we may not be familiar with. We have to be prepared for every little thing that may come our way on the field. Being a leader isn't an automatic title because it says Crew Chief before it. Being a leader is who we are on the field. Are you accountable? Are you receptive? Are you supportive? Can you handle direct or difficult situations? This is what it's all about. Conflict and solutions. 

They pay us well to make hard, tough calls on the field. Are we setting great examples of composure? Take your time, allow the plays to develop, don't try to insert yourself in the plays. It's all part of the gig.

Be excellent. Act like you have been here before. Have a great day!

Wow! Here we are with more rule talk and how to learn them and apply them. This one may surprise you, but conversations are being had on rules every day.

Be excellent. Be kind. Act like you have been there before.

We are halfway through the 2021 season! Can you believe it? The season has been an emotional roller coaster. We are preparing every week for things that we may or may not be able to control. We can handle the delays of weather conditions, daylight, travel restrictions, extra innings, or cancellations. Who would have thought now we would have to be in a mindset for postponements due to this crazy virus? 

It's been a journey, to say the least. But, we're all in this together. Continue to educate, encourage, and be the example. 

Be excellent. Stay healthy. Act like you have been here before. Enjoy the journey!

This season has brought in so many curveballs that when that change up comes in, are you ready for it? Many people don't realize how much change we have to adapt to just for one weekend or even a single game. Crew members may get switched to a different venue, game times can change, weather plays a role from time to time. Some of us are missing family events. It's a grind for us to stay focused on our tasks.  How do you prepare for this?

We are given a manual, but sometimes that guidance gets thrown out the window and we just have to go out there and umpire. Embrace your journey, encourage one another, learn from others, and be a great example on and off the diamond. You never know who's watching. 

Be excellent. Be kind. Act like you have been there before.

On the drive home...I thought I would try and get a Power Chat in. So don't mind the road noise!

-Tony

Both Sides of the Mask wanted to create more content that can be available better than ever. Maybe more episodes? Maybe more interaction? Maybe more interviews? What could we do to fit all our ideas and juggle our personal lives? With family, work, training, and studying for the upcoming season, how do we fit it in? So we created a new way to add more to our listeners. You will be able to get more episodes loaded up weekly.  We will publish full episodes, interviews, and short bytes which we will call Power Chat. Tony or Liz will record a “Power Chat” on our own that will be a bonus episode on topics that we are passionate about or a topic that comes to mind. You will hear more about WIN Reality, conversations we’ve had with past guests, and some things that are hot takes in our umpiring world.

Shhhh...Don't tell Tony I created another Power Chat. I'm creating content off script, but sometimes ideas just can't be ignored. Today I brought up some scenarios that can help us be better leaders on and off the field. Be that example the masses want us to be. Be accountable for your actions and decisions. We all started somewhere and we are all wanting to succeed. Be that leader!!!

Enjoy your weekend and further assignments to come. We all have a purpose with this craft, so why not embrace it? 

Be Excellent. Act like you have been here before. Be a leader.