Coaching the Athletic Mind Podcast Episode 45 - Beyond the Calls: The Human Side of Umpiring with Craig Dowler
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Coaching the Athletic Mind Podcast Episode 45 - Beyond the Calls: The Human Side of Umpiring with Craig Dowler
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On episode 45 of Coaching the Athletic Mind, host Megan Weaver reports that reframing competition as “competere” (striving together) helped her 14U softball team communicate more, have more drive and win 7-1 in the championship game, and take first in the silver bracket. She then interviews Craig Dowler—adjunct physics professor, longtime teacher, bus driver, modified softball coach, and USA-certified softball umpire who also officiates football—about the mental demands of officiating. Craig explains staying focused through downtime by anticipating plays, handling emotional confrontations by going softer when others go loud, ignoring fan chatter (“no rabbit ears”), and approaching coaches with calm, respectful dialogue. He stresses rules knowledge, positioning, confident body language, selling calls, short-term memory after mistakes, and humility, including reviewing video only after games. He notes, “whatever happens on the field is either taught or tolerated,” and Megan previews a part-two interview on coaching.
Visit www.coachingtheathleticmind.com for a free player consult.
