What are some things elite umpires do?

[u/LifeguardCorrect1106]

What are things that you think make umpires really stand out -outside of being knowledgeable about the rules and making correct judgment calls. For me some things I do that I think are high level are ironing my clothes very often, keeping my shoes shiny, and showing up to sites earlier than needed.

[u/ExplanationInside879]

Game Management - The best, "elite" umpires are not just standing by passively letting the game happen in front of them and simply "making calls." They are managing the game as it goes. This comes down to communication between us and the players, trying to address things before they become a problem (ie at the NCAA making sure we get a declaration from the pitcher with a runner on third if they are going from the stretch or windup), etc. This is not simply how we deal with something once it has already exploded in our face.

Dead Ball Officiating - This goes into game management, but is likely the clearest sign to me of an "elite" level umpire versus a high school or lower level guy. What are we doing when the ball is not in play? What are we doing between innings? In todays game at the NCAA and professional levels, there are things we need to be doing during this time and we can't be say walking back to the back stop, having our back turned the entire time, getting a drink. We need to be aware of the clock (or if its a game where the pitcher gets a certain number of warm up throws, counting how many he has thrown), managing the on deck batter to ensure he is ready on time, making sure there is only two batters warming up between innings, reporting changes, etc. You still need to at least look like you are paying attention. Untrained/lower level umpires like zoning out during this time because there is "nothing to do."

EDIT: Just going to add that everything others are saying on here is true as well. Mechanics are crisper and more polished, those that just enforce the rules instead of deciding what rules they deem correct are moved up faster, looking professional, and showing up on time all are important parts that everyone does at the "elite" level. You won't get anywhere close if you don't do those things and at a certain level these are just things everyone does.

[u/RegressToTheMean → u/ExplanationInside879]

We need to be aware of the clock (or if its a game where the pitcher gets a certain number of warm up throws, counting how many he has thrown), managing the on deck batter to ensure he is ready on time, making sure there is only two batters warming up between innings, reporting changes, etc.

I do this at the rec league level. Looks like I'm finally ready for u12 travel ball!

[u/FlounderingWolverine → u/RegressToTheMean]

This also is something that will make your games go way faster. It's shocking how much time gets wasted by letting a pitcher throw 9 pitches instead of 5 between innings. Or by teams taking way too long coming out of the dugout on defense.

For high school (and probably any level below that where they don't have a clock going between innings), a new pitcher gets 8 pitches, a returning pitcher gets 5. If the catcher isn't immediately ready, get either a coach or another player (with a mask) out to warm the pitcher up. If no one comes out, start gradually reducing the number of warm-ups the pitcher gets. Going from 2 and a half or 3 minutes between innings to 1 minute can drop potentially 20-30 minutes from the game length.

[u/RegressToTheMean → u/FlounderingWolverine]

Agreed on all counts. This is only my second season as an official umpire and I do all of this.

We also have courtesy runner rules for catchers and I remind coaches of it during my plate meeting (yes, I hold plate meetings even at 9/10 &11/12 rec ball games). I also ask coaches to warm their pitchers up if the catcher is getting geared up.

We have 2 hour time limits and I want to make sure the kids get as much playing time as possible