What makes it even worse, our fear of getting hit by a sizzling foul ball can really effect our performance. A flinch, a blink, even a turn of the body can lend great inconsistency to our strike zone.

Then there are those umps that adopt an acrobatic position, down like a catcher, but ready to pounce away from a passed ball. Or they get as low as they can, cutting off their view of the outside corner.

Unfortunately these umpire’s strike zones are just as inconsistent as their stance. They are quite clearly afraid of the ball.

There are several things we can do to try to overcome this fear of the ball. The first, most important and most effective way to help you overcome your fear-

1. Wear equipment in which you can place the utmost faith and confidence. This I cannot stress enough. If you don’t trust your protective equipment, you shouldn’t be behind the plate.

Calling balls and strikes, we are told to “eat the ball”. To be in proper position we must place ourselves in a rather vulnerable spot. Of course, by working the slot (the “daylight” between the batter and the catcher) we can minimize the number of fouls and pitches that hit us. But, still, to be in the right position you need to be rather erect in your stance. I personally use the “box” stance. When the pitcher is in his wind up and commits to pitch, I drop my behind as if I’m sitting in a chair, but the upper part of my body, my torso, is straight up and vulnerable. My chest is open to the oncoming ball. As the pitcher delivers, my eyes stay wide open, my head and my body stay still, and my eyes follow the ball. When the pitch hits the catcher’s mitt, I take a moment, go over the pitch in my head once or twice, and then make my call. I don’t move until I make my call (or I move when the catcher moves, opening the gate on passed balls, that is, pivoting outward to allow him room to get to the passed ball). To put yourself into this proper position requires the utmost confidence in your equipment. Make sure you trust your mask, shin guards and chest protector. Make sure you wear all the proper gear, protective cup, plate shoes, etc. It’s a big investment, but well worth it in the long run.

2. Take a deep breathe and relax - Before every pitch, I take a deep breathe. I remind myself of the on field situation and then relax into position. It helps me to gain confidence if I release my tension.

3. Practice - Practice and more practice. It will help your confidence and concentration. Bust in on a scrimmage game and ump it for free just to work on your game. They’d love to have you and it will go a long way to improving your technique as an official.

4. Come to grips with the reality - I had a chat with myself. I said, “Jim...” (that’s what I call myself), “you are an umpire. As such, when you work the plate you will be hit by the ball. Sometimes it will hurt, sometimes it will not. But if you’re going to be an ump you have to put yourself at risk. Are you willing to be like a rock, still and alert, and just let the ball hit you and what happens happens? Because that’s what it’s going to take.”

Well, I thought about it long and hard. I finally decided that, yes I want to be an umpire and yes I’m willing to take the risk. I know the dangers, but I must do the job properly. And the truth is, I’ve been hit twice that really hurt in over 5000 games. A miracle? No. Confidence.

5. Watch the pros - You don’t even need to go to the ballpark for this (although that is the best place to do it). Watch a Major League game on TV. Or visit a local minor league, AA or any other professional league and watch those umps. Take notes of what they do and how you can adopt their positive mechanics. Watch the plate ump, his stance, how long he stays down, how still he is, the time between the ball hitting the mitt and the call of the pitch, when they verbalize their calls and when they don’t, etc. These may seem like trivial matters, but knowing the proper mechanics, and watching the pros to see these proper mechanics in action, can help you gain confidence and concentration behind the plate.

6. Watch yourself in the mirror. (Just make sure the wife and kids aren’t home for this!) Not only does it make you feel quite silly, but it will improve your mechanics and, as a result, your confidence. Awww, go on - give it a try.

7. Ask a friend to help. Have a buddy take some soft balls - I recommend tennis balls - get into your equipment, and have your friend throw these balls at you. The objective here is to block the balls with your mask and equipment. Start out getting hit from 15 feet away with tennis balls and gradually increase speed and distance. Eventually, you won’t be turning your head, you’ll gain confidence in your equipment and you’ll be a much better “balls and strikes” man.

8. Never work a game while under the influence of an intoxicating substance - What you do on your own time after the game is your business, but it has no place on the field. Your reflexes after even a couple of drinks or prescription or illegal drugs is greatly reduced. Your equilibrium is off and you can easily lose your balance. You are a danger to yourself.

9.Drink liquids - stay cool When the weather is hot make sure you drink a lot of liquids, even if you don't feel thirsty. Dehydration can cause you to lose focus, and the potential is far greater for injury. Plus you avoid those nasty things like sun stroke and heat exhaustion. A healthy ump is a better ump.