NCAAump2

So the batter "took a step back" or "backed out," was he out of the batters box, or just backed up still in the box trying to stay out of the way?

The accommodations are no longer in the "barracks-style" place you are referring to, they have moved it to the Cocoa Beach Suites like you said, which is RIGHT on the beach (okay, 1/2 block away, but I'll take it.) My friend that worked the Northwoods League last year (I talked to him practically everyday while he was there) made $1,500/mo in game fees (doing one game per day everyday for a month averages to $50/game.) They are also given food vouchers that were previously mentioned for breakfast and lunch at local restaurants and their "dinner" is provided for them at the stadiums after each game. Hotels (paid for by host team) are different in every city, but you don't necessarily travel everyday. The "travel pay" someone referred to is normally a gas card from the home team that has to be used at a specific gas station in that city (most likely some kind of advertising partnership deal), which is enough to get the umpires to the next city they go to. A couple teams (Thunder Bay for sure) give them cash instead to use toward gas.

What Johnny said. I thought Mike was referring to a typo in a previous post.

A typo.

First college game of this season was on Sunday, 3/4. 35 degrees at first pitch, which was 10am. Local D-III JV team playing a JUCO team from Milwaukee. Took the dish, rocked the black longsleeve polo with Under Armour and another LS shirt and was pretty warm. Game itself was pretty uneventful, but due to poor fielding went 10 innings (game was supposed to be 1-7inning game)....JUCO team won 12-11. I was pretty comforable back there, considering I hadn't seen pitches since September...felt great to be back on a field, though.

A friend of mine went who went to Wendelstedt's last year went to this camp as well, after which he took a job in the Northwoods League, and he's the one who told me about the camp. (He's going back to O.U.T.S. this year as well, but hoping for a job in the Atlantic League instead.) A lot of the guys attending this camp are ones that went to umpire school this year but didn't make it to PBUC, so they're trying for a job in one of the independent leagues. From what I have been told, the Northwoods League, Atlantic League, Can-Am League and American Association supervisors will be there looking at umpires for this coming summer.

Great job...nothing better than that!

The short duration and cost ($500 for the 9-day clinic which includes 9 nights in a beachfront hotel), along with the quality of instructors that will be there is what me to decide to go. Apparently some of the games we'll be working will be at the Washington Nationals spring training complex, which will be exciting. I'll have my laptop with me down there, so if possible, I'll come on here and post daily reviews/updates, as well as a complete review upon my return to St. Louis.

I'm headed to my first umpire camp, Oceanside Umpire Training Seminar in Cocoa Beach, FL from March 21-30. It's ran by Bob Bainter, newly appointed Umpire Supervisor of the Northwoods League. I don't have the time or money to attend the 5-week course, so this is a pretty decent substitute. It's also a "try-out" for those umpires interested in working the Northwoods League this upcoming summer, so all umpires who attend will get evaluated by MiLB standards and chosen based on their performance. One of the things I liked about the camp is that it's not nearly as structured as the other camps, meaning most of the instruction you receive is on field (during scrimmages or games when you are being watched by the evaluators there). One of the instructors is Greg from the Mid-America Camp in Springfield, MO, as well as two Atlantic League umpires and 2 or 3 NCAA Division I umpires also. Looking forward to getting a nice tan and learning a ton!

I'm giving him first. For one, he made a movement, even if it was to soften the blow. Secondly, the ball was so far inside the box that I can't think of a place the batter could have gone to evade it. Just because he moves (even if to soften the blow) doesn't negate the fact that the batter must attempt to AVOID being hit by the pitch. Moving to soften the blow isn't moving to avoid the pitch. He stays a the plate.

I think it's implied that if you register with the NCAA that you intend on working NCAA games.

From what I've found, $21.95 seems to be the bottom price, unless you register with the NCAA, then you'll get a free copy.

How does everyone feel about Navy LS polos?

Without consulting a rulebook, my instinct tells me the answer is A, but I have a feeling it depends on the number of outs there are. Bases loaded, less than 2 outs, we have IFF situation so BR is out, but since R2 is entitled to 2nd base, I don't see how he could be out. Bases loaded WITH 2 outs, not sure.

I responded. Mila Kunis gets my vote.

Like I said, if I had the money for a plate coat, this would be a non-issue. Pops, I'm in St. Louis, MO, so God only knows what the weather will be like. Will most likely be in the 30s and 40's and cloudy for much of the first half of the spring, although we had a few days in January around 70.

Interested in the opinions here. Looking to get a jacket for the first 1/2 of the spring or so, and wanted to know if you all thought the pullover or long sleeve shirt look better for behind the plate. My college association requires all umpires to AT LEAST have a Honigs K17 black jacket ( so we can all match), so I will be getting that one. Should I get the jacket just for the bases and wear a long sleeve black shirt behind the plate? I don't have the money for a plate coat yet, otherwise I would be all over that. I personally like the way the long sleeve shirts look.

Do you still have this jacket? I'm interested.

I was taught a couple years ago to use the index, middle, and pinky fingers (holding indicator between thumb and ring finger. Reasoning behind that was apparently when I was younger, the way I did it then (index, middle, ring) made it look like my fingers were just bunched together.

Same here. All that comes up is a gray screen.

I'm not one to tell anyone what to do, I just feel that being completely clean-shaven looks more professional. What is the NCAA/MiLB stance on facial hair on umpires?

I think the point of saying "Ball, no swing," "Ball, no he didn't go," or some version of that is to let everyone know that you SAW the attempt, JUDGED it to be a no-swing, and RULED on the action. If they want to appeal, they are entitled to that, but this lets them know you're aware of what's going on.

A friend of mine who went to Wendelstedt's this past year and I were talking about this a few days ago, and the way he explained it to me really made sense. He related it as to someone going into a hardware store and rather than call the employee by his name, just yelling "Hey, Smock!" (or whatever kind of clothing they have on) It got me thinking that although we introduce ourselves by name at the plate meeting, I'm called "Blue" at least 5 times a game. Does anyone here think that "Hey, Blue!" is disrespectful? Personally, I feel as though (especially for HS and above games) that if a coach/manager is going to come out an and talk to me, he should at least call me by my name, when I call him by his. Thoughts?

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you all get the umpire goodies you've been waiting for!

My first college game is March 4th, but I'm fairly certain some teams in our area get underway around the end of February.