CDP General discussion Latest Topics

2024 Cooperstown updates! (Please read!)

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 16:50:00 +0000

NOTE: This post was edited on March 18th. Please be advised, the information in this post refers to the Cooperstown All-Star Village which is a separate complex from the Cooperstown Dreams Park. (see below)

Greetings brothers,

Last night, I spoke with Todd Sloka at Cooperstown All-Star Village. He is the Umpire Director who is recruiting/scheduling umpires. Josh Harris' ownership group (NJ Devils, PHI 76ers and WSH Commanders) also own Cooperstown All-Star Village. Their website is www.cooperstown.com. Per Todd, the Harris Group have done extensive renovations to the facilities there with the ultimate goal of making this another crown jewel destination for youth baseball in the Cooperstown area. (NOTE: Umpire bunkhouses are scheduled to be renovated NEXT year.)

The big update for umpires is...they are phasing out the "teams bring/sponsor an umpire" part of the business model. For those umpires currently with a team or working to come with a team, they will still honor those commitments. If you are an individual umpire who can make a one week commitment to work one of their tournaments, you can now register directly with CASV! Here is the umpire registration link: https://cooperstownallstarvillage.leagueapps.com/events/3379634-casv-2024-umpire-application?_gl=1*a2td6o*_gcl_au*MTMzMDkwNjQ5NS4xNzA5ODU3MzMw*_ga*MTYyMzE0NjY4My4xNzA5ODU3MzMy*_ga_HBRC0TK47L*MTcwOTkxNTYwNC4yLjEuMTcwOTkxNTc0MS41OC4wLjA. (Just click on the red registration button...) (NOTE: If you are registering as an independent umpire, please enter "Independent Todd Sloka" in the team name data field.)

You'll work a minimum of 3 games per day for $65 per. Games are 12U with a 1 hour and 55 minute time limit. Day 1 is opening day and skills competition which umpires also participate in. Day 2, 3 and 4 is pool play. Day 5 and 6 are playoffs. 3 games X $65 per game = $1,170 for the week. They provide complimentary bunkhouse lodging and 3 cafeteria style meals served daily by Sodexho.

For more information, please contact Todd Sloka directly at either 607-442-9915 or tsloka@casv.com

~Dawg

CDP vs. CASV - other options too?

Sun, 26 Dec 2021 15:03:44 +0000

While doing some research into CDP, I found Cooperstown All Star Village as well. Are these affiliated? Does anyone have any details about differences in umpire experiences? Are there other options besides these two?

I'm interested in doing something like a CDP experience, but only have one week of the summer to do it - I want to make sure I'm making the best choice I can.

Thanks!

How can I research a reasonable fee to charge?

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 20:19:10 +0000

I'm interested in going to Cooperstown, but have to evaluate if I can afford to miss the week of work from my "regular" job. I know we're not supposed to discuss fees publicly on the forum. How can I research a reasonable fee (and whether or not that reasonable fee includes or is in addition to travel costs)? Any information anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated. DMs totally ok.

Thank you!

NEW RULES: Posting in the Cooperstown Dream Park Forum-Feb. 2022

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 18:09:08 +0000

If you're an umpire or a team looking to get hooked up to go to Cooperstown, and you post your availability within this forum, please be advised:

1) ONLY POST within the 'Umpires & Teams Connecting' forum. DO NOT look for an umpire or team within the CDP GENERAL DISCUSSION forum.

2) PLEASE, POST ONE (1) TIME:

There are many of you who have 2,3,4 and MORE posts inquiring about the same week. This is unproductive, and clogs the forum unnecessarily.

If you've posted, and you're not getting any traction, or replies, simply respond to your own post with something like; "still looking" or anything of the like. By responding to your own post, you will place your post back at the top of the forum. That being said, that isn't an open invitation to reply to your post every day either

** IMPORTANT!: Remember, you will make it easier on yourself if you only post once because all of your info and responses will be from within one post. And, it's easier and more simple for people to find YOU if you only have ONE post.

Multiple posts with the same inquiry will be deleted without warning.

Again, please be courteous to everyone, post only once when you are inquiring about finding an umpire or team to go to Cooperstown.

Thanks for your cooperation, and good luck!

New - NO FEE - posting policy 2/24/22

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 17:17:42 +0000

All Cooperstown Dream Park Forum attendees:

The advertising fee formerly associated with locating either a team, or an umpire for CDP tournament weeks has been lifted.

Anyone who wishes to post within the forum to find a team or umpire can now do so without having to pay. All that we ask is that you follow the simple rules of posting within the 'Umpires & Teams Connecting' section pinned on this CDP forum, and the General Discussion forum page.

Linked here:

CDP CANCELS 2020 SEASON

Sat, 21 Mar 2020 02:37:18 +0000

* COVID-19 Update *
In the best interest of our country, state, local community, local partners, coaches, umpires and most importantly, our employees, players and their families, whose health and safety we are obligated to protect, Cooperstown Dreams Park has determined it is necessary to cancel the 2020 season.

All teams will receive a 100% refund or the option of future participation. Cooperstown Dreams Park employees will remain working at reduced hours and payroll, to the extent permitted by the mandates of Governor Cuomo.

In response to calls by many levels of government for help from the private sector, we have notified the New York State Department of Health, Otsego County Emergency Services and Bassett Healthcare that our facilities are available for use, if needed in combating COVID-19 or for caring for those inflicted with the virus. Cooperstown Dreams Park will also establish a local food donation center and food kitchen for those in our community that are in need of basic essentials, as permitted by governmental agencies.

Cooperstown Dreams Park was hoping to avoid this outcome, but it is the only responsible course of action. Like the rest of the nation, we have never experienced anything like this. We know our staff will be resilient and steadfast in its preparation for the 2021 season and that once again the joyous sounds of kids playing the game of baseball at Cooperstown Dreams Park will be heard.

Ride from and to Airport

Tue, 22 May 2018 15:12:08 +0000

Is there anybody that would be willing and be able to pick me up from the Syracuse airport on June 1st at around noon or sometime after that and possibility take me back to the airport on June 8th around 10:30am? Thanks!

R.I.P Curt Bremer

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 02:24:09 +0000

For all of you Cooperstown regulars, just wanted to let you know that Curt Bremer has passed away.

One of a kind and a great guy. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to know him.

http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Curtis-Henry-Bremer-105580778

ASV "Independent" Information

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 19:09:27 +0000

I've been to ASV a few times and every time I've gone I went with a team, same with CDP. One of the guys I work with regularly said that he was going to ASV as an "independent". I'm not sure what that means and what that entails, but he said that since we're not going up with a team, the pay is $35/game through ASV. I've never heard of this and never saw it when I went up as all the guys I stayed with were with a team. I've also never heard of ASV directly paying umpires since that's usually worked out with a team.

Anyone with any info would be a great help because over never gone to Cooperstown this way and to be honest I'm weary of the situation.

Thanks in advance!

1st time going to CDP, need some info

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 21:55:52 +0000

Hi All,

So I decided on a whim to look into CDP for this summer and ended up hooking up with a team for week 13. The info provided in various threads on this site is excellent and I've read through the info provided on the website as well. However, I still have some questions/curiosities...

1. I keep all of my uniforms hanging in my car and my equipment in my trunk since parking lots are the umpire's locker room. Will I be able to continue this practice at CDP or will I need to bring all of my stuff into the bunk?

2. Do most guys bring laptops/is this acceptable? I plan to disconnect from the "real world" as much as possible and focus on the experience, but I may need to send the occasional email for work.

3. Once the tournament portion starts, should I still expect 3 games per day? Will I know my entire schedule in advance?

4. How cold does it get? Do I really need to bring my jackets?

5. What's the average age of umpires at CDP? I'm on the younger side, but don't care either way. I'm just curious.

Thanks in advance guys. Also, any info worth noting that's not covered in my questions would be greatly appreciated!

Info for CDP

Sat, 19 Aug 2017 04:35:33 +0000

Hello,

I was talking to one of my fellow umpires in our association and he mentioned going to Cooperstown to umpire. He also mentioned that he was going with a team that sponsored him. I would like to ask a few questions to you guys that have "been there and done that"

1st- How does one go about getting sponsored by a team and also does the team pay the sponsored umpire?

2nd- Do you have to umpire more than 1 week or just the week that you are with that team?

3rd- I have seen on some of the posts that umpires are certified.... Do you have to be certified to call game, if so how do you get certified?

I'm sure I'll have many more questions but thank you in advance on any info you can give.

Baseball Economics 101

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 19:02:12 +0000

Apologies if this is a tacky question, but what's the going rate for an umpire in Cooperstown? First week in June? We want to be fair but we have no context of a fair price for the umpire (or us). Any insight would be appreciated -- thanks!

Coach Lou

Fri, 08 Jul 2016 17:34:11 +0000

I've never been to CDP, but I can admire an American entrepreneur from afar.

I saw an umpire post on Facebook that Coach Lou passed away last night.

Headed to the airport!

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 14:18:19 +0000

Headed to the airport for cooperstown! Im so excited, first going as a player and now going as a umpire. Cant wait. I hope im not the youngest haha but i probobly will be. Im looking forward to meeting you guys there

Who's where?

Sat, 04 Jun 2016 22:06:03 +0000

Where is everyone this week?

gear needed at park

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:05:27 +0000

what gear besides umpire gear needed to stay at park . i'm new at park. bedding ,towels etc,

Tips for a first timer

Sun, 27 Mar 2016 23:36:36 +0000

I will be going to CDP for the first time during week 4 (June 25-July 1). I originally played there back in 2009 (would never have thought that I would go back as an umpire). I am 19 years old so I am already expecting to be one of the youngest, if not the youngest umpire there. I am being sponsored by a team and I have faxed the umpire resume found on the CDP website already.

I see a couple of posts about people getting their packets? What is that and when can I expect that when I submitted my resume a couple of days ago?

Apart from gear and uniforms, what do I need to bring? I will be flying so this probably changes things.

Speaking of flying, I will be flying into Syracuse on the 24th and leaving later in the evening on the first.

I've seen some posts about politcs and to stay away from it. What kind of politics? Who should be the next POTUS or which teams are good and which aren't?

CDP pants

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 18:04:49 +0000

I received my packet today and it said for pants only medium or heather gray. I only have the charcoal. Is this allowed or do I have to buy heather pants?

Umpire Kit Question

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 17:55:27 +0000

Hey Guys,

This is my first year heading to Cooperstown and want to make sure I'm doing it correctly. I received my packet the other day and I have completed the Umpire Resume. Is that the only thing that I need to "send in" (fax, email, mail etc) to Cooperstown? Obviously, they have my umpire participation form. As part of the umpire kit they had like the camper forms and stuff, I'm assuming we do not need to fill that out?

Thank you,

Carter Caplan

Packet arrived

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 13:17:21 +0000

Packet came in yesterday. It's getting close.

2016 UE Umpires at CDP

Fri, 26 Feb 2016 18:19:29 +0000

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

@Matt Hoey

Week 11

@Matt Hoey

Week 12

Week 13

About working for Cooperstown

Sat, 27 Feb 2016 18:26:07 +0000

I just went to Harry Wendelstedt umpire school and I was just wondering if any team oils like to sponsor me for their umpire this summer. I really want to go and I know it'd be a lot of fun. I have a lot of training too.

Letters have been mailed

Sun, 27 Sep 2015 03:21:55 +0000

My team for 2016 got their letter today. They're happy and so am I. Week 2 confirmed.

UE umpires

Mon, 31 Aug 2015 23:26:52 +0000

It's always nice to put a face to a name/user name

congrats

Thu, 27 Aug 2015 12:51:20 +0000

Congratulations go out to our own Umpirechick1 on being selected for the plate for the championship game for week 12. Don't suck!