I was an umpire for a couple of years, following my buddy Ryan's lead. It was a short-lived adventure, but I did learn lessons about selling a call, whether it be safe, out, ball, strike...
When selling the call, your body language and voice should put oomph behind it. Convey confidence. Leave no doubt. Be emphatic. On a close call you may not be sure, but your actions fail if they communicate "maybe."
At the same time, you can't sell EVERY call. After a while, observers will just consider you to be a yeller. You may be tuned out, you may lose credibility.
It's yet another sports metaphor for life. In work or parenting, effectiveness is weak if you're the kind of person constantly making "I'm right" assertions, raising your voice or refusing to consider other points of view. Pick your spots when your core principles are challenged, or those around you have gone too far. Because never selling a call can ultimately be as weak as selling every one.
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