The Pregame: An Umpire Classroom Podcast

Your assigner remembers how you handle assignments. Are you teaching them that you’re dependable, or that clicking your name means more work?

In this episode of The Pregame, Patrick Faerber takes you behind the scenes of assigning for Youth League Officials to explain how your response time, availability, communication and follow-through affect your opportunities.

An assigner’s number one responsibility is getting every game covered. When three qualified umpires are available, the one who responds quickly and follows through becomes an easier choice. Over time, those choices turn into more games, more experience and more opportunities to move up.

You’re training your assigner with every interaction. What are you teaching them?

📄 READ AND SHARE THE ONE-PAGER

“How You Train the Assigner”

https://canva.link/w38ak6t4yq64uaj

In this episode:

• What assigners see when they open the schedule

• Why updated availability and quick responses matter

• The difference between declining and letting a game automatically turn back

• How your off-field habits shape your reputation

• Why some umpires get the last-minute calls

• How reliability leads to development opportunities

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 Your assigner remembers

01:00 Behind the scenes of assigning

03:00 Every game, every slot, covered

05:00 Availability and assignment decisions

06:00 What your response time teaches me

08:00 Three umpires: Who would you choose?

09:00 The message behind automatic turnbacks

11:00 Your reputation is being tracked

13:00 Who gets the last-minute call?

14:00 More games, more experience, more opportunities

15:00 Who gets the investment?

17:00 What are you teaching your assigner?

🛡️ JOIN NASO

If you’re a sports official, you should be a member of the National Association of Sports Officials. NASO membership provides insurance protection, educational resources, Referee magazine access, member discounts and advocacy for officials.

Join through Umpire Classroom:

https://join.naso.org/NAS/?f=DISCAFF&S=C25PFN

⚾ KEEP LEARNING WITH UMPIRE CLASSROOM

Find on-demand baseball umpire training, courses and more educational content:

https://www.umpireclassroom.com

📩 QUESTIONS OR EPISODE IDEAS?

Email [email protected].

👍 Like this episode, subscribe to Umpire Classroom and share it with your association or a partner who could benefit. Assigners, what makes an umpire someone you can count on? Tell us in the comments.

This episode is for educational purposes. Umpire Classroom is not sponsored or endorsed by MLB, NCAA or NFHS. Any third-party materials remain the property of their respective owners.

#UmpireClassroom #ThePregame #UmpireTraining

The NFHS has announced its 2027 high school baseball rules changes, and in this episode of The Pregame, Patrick Faerber breaks down what umpires need to know before they hit the field.We cover the upcoming double first base requirement, the new 18-by-18-inch first base alternative, future bat certification changes, expanded one-way electronic communication, eye black restrictions, electronic scoring by coaches, and the optional extra-inning tiebreaker rule by state adoption.This episode is designed to help high school baseball umpires understand what is changing, what is not changing yet, and how these updates may impact game management.This episode is supported by the National Association of Sports Officials. NASO provides resources, protection and education for officials across all sports. Join NASO here: https://join.naso.org/NAS/?f=DISCAFF&S=C25PFNFor more umpire training, visit: https://www.umpireclassroom.comTopics Covered:00:00 Introduction00:45 Double first base becomes mandatory in 202701:15 18-by-18-inch first base alternative02:25 Runner’s lane editorial change03:20 USA Baseball and future bat certification07:40 One-way electronic communication to pitcher and catcher10:10 Eye black restrictions11:20 Electronic devices and scoring materials12:35 Optional extra-inning tiebreaker rule13:35 Final thoughts for umpiresAbout Umpire ClassroomUmpire Classroom provides high-quality, on-demand training for baseball umpires at all levels. From new officials just starting out to experienced veterans looking to sharpen their skills, we deliver clear instruction, real-game analysis and practical tips to help you succeed on the field. Learn more and join our community at UmpireClassroom.com.Disclaimer:This video is for educational purposes only and is intended to help umpires better understand baseball rules, mechanics and game management. Always consult your state association, local association and official NFHS materials for final rules interpretations and state-specific adoption.#BaseballUmpire #NFHSBaseball #HighSchoolBaseball #UmpireTraining #UmpireClassroom

In this episode, Patrick interviews Jeff Gosney, the new NCAA Division I Baseball Umpire Coordinator, in a conversation recorded for Referee Magazine.Gosney recently stepped into the role responsible for overseeing NCAA Division I baseball umpiring, including postseason selections and the continued development of umpires across the country. In this interview, he shares his background in professional and college baseball, how he ended up in the position, and what his priorities are as he begins leading the program.The conversation covers several important topics for umpires working college baseball today, including:• How NCAA postseason umpires are selected• The evolving regional and super regional selection process• The role conference coordinators play in evaluations• How TrackMan and pitch tracking data factor into performance discussions• The challenge of transitioning from three-umpire to four-umpire crews• Advice for umpires trying to move from D2 or D3 into Division I baseball• The potential future of pitch tracking and technology in college baseballOne message Gosney emphasizes throughout the discussion is simple: the NCAA is looking for the best umpires available, regardless of their background or path into college baseball.If you’re an umpire working college baseball, aspiring to reach the Division I level, or simply interested in how NCAA officiating is evolving, this interview offers valuable insight directly from the person now leading the program.📚 Join NASO (National Association of Sports Officials)This episode is supported by the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), the leading organization supporting sports officials through education, resources, insurance, and advocacy.Join NASO at a discounted rate using the link below:https://join.naso.org/NAS/?f=DISCAFF&S=C25PFNAbout Umpire ClassroomUmpire Classroom provides high-quality, on-demand training for baseball umpires at all levels. From new officials just starting out to experienced veterans looking to sharpen their skills, we deliver clear instruction, real-game analysis, and practical tips to help you succeed on the field.Learn more and join our community athttps://www.umpireclassroom.comFair Use DisclaimerWe do not own the rights to any game footage used in this video. All clips are used under fair use for educational purposes to improve officiating knowledge and contribute to the baseball and umpire community — a community that is often underappreciated and underserved in training resources.This video and channel are not sponsored or endorsed by Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), or the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

High school baseball gives umpires a steady stream of situations that challenge both our rules knowledge and our game management.

In this episode of The Pregame, I break down three recent high school games I worked over the course of a few days. Each game brought a different set of lessons, from partner communication and positioning to rules interpretations and managing coaches when tensions start to rise.

We walk through several interesting moments that came up during those games, including some subtle rules questions, the importance of clear communication with your partner, and how small situations early in a game can influence how things develop later.

The final game of the stretch eventually resulted in an ejection, which gave me the opportunity to walk through how situations escalate, how warnings and restrictions fit into the process, and what a clear, effective ejection report should look like.

These are the kinds of moments that make umpiring both challenging and rewarding, and they provide great learning opportunities for anyone working high school baseball.

If you want to read along with the report discussed near the end of the episode, you can view a redacted version of the ejection report here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cfqbEvnlDokSbqjUTXVI0GRUNjCnpmvGDWDTT5c0kSw/edit?usp=drive_link

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Working with a partner you’ve never worked with before
• Communication and crew dynamics
• Interesting rules situations that came up during the games
• Managing coaches and keeping a game under control
• How situations escalate toward an ejection
• What makes an effective ejection report

If you're serious about officiating, membership in the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) is one of the best investments you can make. NASO provides education, protection, and advocacy for officials at every level.

Join NASO at a discounted rate here:
https://join.naso.org/NAS/?f=DISCAFF&S=C25PFN

Umpire Classroom provides high-quality, on-demand training for baseball umpires at all levels. From new officials just starting out to experienced veterans looking to sharpen their skills, we deliver clear instruction, real-game analysis, and practical tips to help you succeed on the field. Learn more and join our community at https://www.UmpireClassroom.com

We do not own the rights to the game footage used in this video. All clips are used under fair use for educational purposes to improve officiating knowledge and contribute to the baseball and umpire community — a community that is often under-appreciated and underserved in training resources. This video and channel are not sponsored or endorsed by Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), or the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

In this episode of The Pregame, Patrick Faerber checks in for the first time in March as the baseball season gets underway. With basketball season wrapping up, the focus now shifts fully to baseball and getting ready for another year on the field.

Patrick also shares updates on new educational content coming out through Referee Magazine, including a new series of one-page mechanics resources designed to be practical tools that officials can save and reference throughout the season. Upcoming topics include the National Anthem mechanics and a breakdown of touches, tag-ups, and responsibilities, complete with custom mechanics diagrams.

The episode also previews several articles from the March issue of Referee, including:

• Who’s Got Third? – A discussion of two different mechanics used in a two-umpire system when a play may develop at third base.
• Sharpened by the Game – A conversation about developing professionalism and presence on the field.
• When Can a Runner Help a Teammate? – A rules deep dive that led to a new NCAA interpretation and highlights a gap that may eventually lead to further rule clarification.

Patrick also sits down with Alan Paul, one of Referee Magazine’s newest contributors, to discuss professionalism, preparation, and how officials continue improving through experience.

This podcast is supported by the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO).

NASO membership includes:

• A subscription to Referee Magazine
• Digital access to the magazine through the NASO app
• Educational resources for officials in multiple sports
• Advocacy and support for the officiating profession

Join NASO at a discounted rate using the link below:

👉 https://join.naso.org/NAS/?f=DISCAFF&S=C25PFN

If you have rules questions, situations you'd like discussed, or ideas for future content, feel free to reach out anytime.

📧 [email protected]

About Umpire Classroom
Umpire Classroom provides high-quality, on-demand training for baseball umpires at all levels. From new officials just starting out to experienced veterans looking to sharpen their skills, we deliver clear instruction, real-game analysis, and practical tips to help you succeed on the field. Learn more and join our community at https://www.umpireclassroom.com.

Fair Use Disclaimer
We do not own the rights to the game footage used in our videos. All clips are used under fair use for educational purposes to improve officiating knowledge and contribute to the baseball and umpire community — a community that is often underappreciated and underserved in training resources. This channel and its content are not sponsored or endorsed by Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), or the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

Join NASO (Discounted Membership)Questions or Content Ideas

Welcome back to The Pregame!In this Mailbag Episode , we dig into your emails and break down real-life situations from the field:⚾ Connor – Ejection report and what could make it stronger📋 Gary – Question about 10-batter lineups and DH rules🧤 Brad – Catcher’s obstruction without a swing👀 Mark – Tricky interference plays at the plateThis episode is sponsored by Diamond MMA and Umpire Classroom’s 2026 Preseason Course.👉 Returning umpires deserve better.

Too often, associations run the same rookie-focused training year after year, leaving veterans unchallenged and unmotivated. That’s why we built Umpire Classroom:💻 Online, on-demand training, updated every season🎯 Engaging and practical, built for real-game situations🙌 Free for associations to implement💰 Cheaper than mileage to meetings — and tax-deductibleRespect your members. Modernize your training.🌐 Learn more: https://www.umpireclassroom.com📩 Email Patrick with your questions: [email protected] your own situation, question, or report you want featured on The Pregame?➡️ Send it to [email protected] — your question might make it into the next Mailbag!About Umpire ClassroomUmpire Classroom provides high-quality, on-demand training for baseball umpires at all levels. From new officials just starting out to experienced veterans looking to sharpen their skills, we deliver clear instruction, real-game analysis, and practical tips to help you succeed on the field. Learn more and join our community at https://www.umpireclassroom.comFair Use DisclaimerWe do not own the rights to the game footage used in this video. All clips are used under fair use for educational purposes to improve officiating knowledge and contribute to the baseball and umpire community. This video and channel are not sponsored or endorsed by Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), or the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

In this Pregame episode, Patrick answers your mailbag questions—covering everything from pitcher reentry to handling unruly fans—and shares insights on some of the toughest game management situations umpires face.But more importantly, we’re looking ahead: the 2026 Preseason Course is being built now, and we need organizations who are ready to help us change the way umpire education is done. Traditional meetings aren’t cutting it anymore—umpires deserve training that is modern, flexible, and effective.If your state or association wants to be part of this change, reach out. We can give you access to the 2025 course so you can see how it works before rolling into 2026.📩 Interested? Email [email protected] to get started and help us build the future of umpire education.Thumbnail Courtesy Minda Haas Kuhlmann via Flickr

In this episode of The Pregame, Patrick sits down with Bob Leader, veteran umpire and current official's representative on the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee, to break down what’s being considered for the 2026 season. From delayed dead balls to double first bases, player-to-player communication, malicious contact, and more—this is your inside look at how rules are proposed, debated, and decided.📬 Action Item #1: Bob wants your feedback! If you have thoughts on the proposed rule changes, email him at [email protected] before June 2025—after that, he’s off the committee, so don’t clog his inbox with late opinions!🛡️ Action Item #2: This episode is presented by Diamond MMA—makers of the jock and cup I (Patrick) personally wear behind the plate. It’s hands-down the most comfortable and protective gear I’ve used. Try it for yourself and support Umpire Classroom by shopping through this link: https://www.diamondmma.com/umpireclassroom📢 Want to sponsor a future episode of Umpire Classroom—whether it’s the podcast, weekly rules training, or something else?Email: [email protected] — We’d love your support.

In this episode, Patrick Faerber and Todd discuss one of the wildest second-round playoff series of the GHSA baseball season—and all the lessons it offered for umpires. From check swings to emotional coaches, and even a "shut up" that nearly derailed everything, they break down every key moment and decision from both games.

They explore how to manage volatile coaches without losing control, when to ask for help (and when not to), and why your "relationship bank account" with a coach matters more than you'd think. You’ll also hear tips on dealing with bat flips, unsportsmanlike taunts, and how to de-escalate without compromising your credibility.

Whether you're a new umpire, a playoff veteran, or just love the chess match of officiating under pressure, this episode is packed with takeaways you can use on the field tomorrow.

🧠 Big takeaways:

• Barking back without warnings
• The danger of skipping steps between ignore and eject
• Why “shut up” is a credibility killer
• When to intervene for your partner
• Tactical crew chiefing in high-stakes games

🔗 Mentioned in the episode:

• Umpire Classroom

• GHSA Umpire Development

• The power of postgame locker room reflection

📣 Coaches. Fans. Ejections. Credibility. If you've ever said "this game is getting away from us"—you need to hear this.

The 2025 NFHS Baseball Rules Questionnaire is out — and this episode breaks it all down.

Patrick walks through the most talked-about rule changes, the most controversial survey items, and gives honest feedback on what’s working… and what’s really not. From pace of play concerns and expanded use of tech, to the ongoing dugout drama of bench jockeying and how much eye black is too much — nothing is off-limits in this review.

📊 Have your voice heard! Take the official NFHS Rules Survey before it closes on April 29th, 2025:
👉 https://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/nfhs-sport-questionnaires

Some of the most debated issues covered:

• Should we allow coach-to-pitcher communication devices?

• Is it time for a double first base to fix the runner’s lane mess?

• Do we need less severe penalties than ejections for players dropping an F-bomb?

• Should protective gear be removed at second base… or stay on?

• And why stopwatches might be the secret weapon to fixing slow games.

Plus, Patrick gets real on why enforcing a pitching position rule isn’t hard (and why declaring "set or windup" is a waste of time), and gives you his take on the real reasons behind some of these proposed changes.

⚾ Whether you're an umpire, coach, or just a rules nerd — this is the episode you don’t want to miss. Drop your comments, argue your point, and most importantly — fill out that survey before it’s too late.