Characteristics needed for successful Recreational Umpires

A recreational umpire is a player in a match who acts as an umpire for a period in the match he/she is taking part in. Almost always you will be a member of the batting side.

SUCCESSFUL CHARACTERISTICS

• Concentration skills - ability to switch on and off between deliveries.
• Good man-management skills - calm demeanour in times of conflict.
• Sense of humour - show that you are enjoying the match and prepared to share a joke with the players. Smile!
• Communication skills - deal with any discussion of your decisions in a calm and clear manner.
• Strong resilient character - confident in your ability to deal with criticism.
• Resistant to pressure - not influenced by the loudness of appeals.
• Respectful and Respected - both teams are happy to have you as an umpire.
• Impartial - show the opposition that you will not favour your own side.
• Positive attitude / approach - show the players that you are happy to be performing this important role.
• Punctual - be on the field after an interval at the correct time and before the players.
• Team player - consult with and support your fellow umpire(s).
• Smart (in appearance) - dressed appropriately. Avoid bare feet and shorts.
• Able to apply common sense - If in doubt, consult the law book and/or the local competition playing conditions.
• Consistency (of decisions) - don't follow a bad decision with another bad decision to 'even the score'.
• Passionate about cricket - if you are not, what are you doing there?
• Passionate about the Spirit of Cricket - be prepared to step in if players are not following the code of conduct.
• Courageous - make the right decision, no matter the state of the match.
• Un-obstructive - let the players get on with the match.
• Knowledgeable of Laws of cricket - take the time before the start of each season to re-familiarize yourself with the current laws and playing conditions.
• Understanding of players needs - all the players you are umpiring must be respected, no matter previous interactions you may have had with them.
• Learns from experience - don't repeat past mistakes.
• Uses appropriate language - speak to the players in the same respectful manner that you would expect to be spoken to.

Law Changes from 1 October, 2017

On the 1st of October, 2017 a number of cricket law changes came into effect. These include:

• giving umpires the power to send off players from the field in response to the most serious incidents of player misconduct. 
• restriction on bat dimensions (the thickness of edges and depth of bat) which will be an edge limit of 40mm and bat depth of 67mm (60mm for the depth plus an allowance of 7mm for a possible curve on the face of the bat).
• a batsman will have made his or her ground when a bat bounces after being grounded behind the crease by a running or diving batsman. 
• The Handled the ball Law has been deleted, with its contents merged into Obstructing the field.
• The Lost ball Law has been deleted and is now covered under Dead ball.
• Injuries hoped to be prevented in a new Law which allow mechanisms tethering the bails to the stumps.
• Bowling of deliberate front foot No balls to be treated in same way as deliberate full-tosses.
• The Law regarding running out the non-striker has been altered.
• A new Law of the game, Players’ conduct, is introduced, giving an in-match consequence for poor on-field behaviour.

 Fraser Stewart, MCC's Laws Manager, explained the guiding principles behind all the changes.

He said: ""MCC has left no stone unturned in researching and redrafting the new Laws of Cricket and has done so in order to make the Laws work in a way that makes sense to players, umpires and spectators.

"The Laws are applicable worldwide so they need to be as simple as possible to understand and inclusive to all. The Club hopes to encourage interest in the game at all levels and believes these new Laws are reflective of the present time and easier for cricketers and umpires to interpret."

Teamwork and Support

Throughout these blog entries there are constant references to the umpires “working as a team”. The Laws provide for many instances where the umpires “agree together”. It is essential that this teamwork is carried onto the field and implemented throughout the day’s play.

Regardless of any personal feelings you may have for each other, either misplaced or valid – to earn respect you must maintain teamwork and professionalism.

As umpires we have all experienced it at some stage. The help you thought you were getting never arrived. Your colleague has to be there for you and vice versa – NO EXCUSES. You almost immediately lose respect for an umpire who tries to show up his colleague. You are a team out there and you have to support each other. The support can be subtle and go unnoticed to all but those close to umpiring.

Loyalty towards a colleague must be complete and resolute.

During conflict situations there can be no value in going on the attack as soon as a possible problem arises. Always watch how your partner is handling a problem and be ready to give support whenever needed. If things get out of hand or bubble over for a long time after the incident, you should walk towards the other umpire at the end of an over and say something like “everything OK?” or “should we speak to the Captain?”

Never get caught not paying attention. Even a slight shrug of the shoulders if you are asked for help is a negative sign. Even if you do not agree that the incident requires a caution to the player or Captain, make sure you both attend to the matter. Quite often a Captain or player will not want to carry on with the problem if he is of the impression that both umpires are working together.

Not backing up your partner is the quickest way to lose respect of not only your colleague but the players as well.