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/w38ak6t4yq64uajIn 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⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 Your assigner remembers01:00 Behind the scenes of assigning03:00 Every game, every slot, covered05:00 Availability and assignment decisions06:00 What your response time teaches me08:00 Three umpires: Who would you choose?09:00 The message behind automatic turnbacks11:00 Your reputation is being tracked13:00 Who gets the last-minute call?14:00 More games, more experience, more opportunities15:00 Who gets the investment?17:00 What are you teaching your assigner?🛡️ JOIN NASOIf 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 CLASSROOMFind 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_linkTopics 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 reportIf 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=C25PFNUmpire 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.comWe 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 professionJoin NASO at a discounted rate using the link below:👉 https://join.naso.org/NAS/?f=DISCAFF&S=C25PFNIf you have rules questions, situations you'd like discussed, or ideas for future content, feel free to reach out anytime.📧 [email protected] 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.com.Fair Use DisclaimerWe 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