James88

I'm probably like a whole bunch of umpires. Due to a big need, I started umpiring in LL when my kids were playing. After a few years of volunteer umpiring in LL, determined I liked it and decided to start doing HS games. I have attended the weekend umpire clinic in Williamsport on 2 occasions. Great clinic, $85.00 for the entire weekend, includes meals and lodging. This was the first formal training I had and they do in fact teach the "hammer" due to the simple fact they don't want you to turn your head from the field of play. That said, they say the turn and point is just fine. They do encourage some creativity on 3rd. strike punch outs. I will add that I was also our local LL president in 2013 and 2014. I had little difficulty getting coaches, concession workers, fundraising help, etc. but I did have constant headaches getting umpires. LL specifically prohibits paying umpires. I realize many leagues do, but if they are a LL chartered league, it's under the table. I only mention that just to encourage folks not to be too critical of LL umpires. I realize the ones on TV should be more accomplished than most LL umpires, but they are volunteer and trying to do their part to make the game a little better. Mistakes will happen, just as they do at every level of umpiring. Just my $0.02 cents.

Thanks noumpere. Clears up another question I had.

Good point on the time of the pitch. Thanks. This site is a great resource.

Scenario: Runner on second breaks on the pitch to steal third. Pitch bounces, rolls up catcher, WAYYYYYY up in the air, and over the backstop. Does the ball become dead when it breaks the imaginary vertical plane above the backstop or when it hits the ground in dead ball territory? The main reason I ask is due to the awarding of the base to the runner breaking for third. He did not reach third before the ball crossed the imaginary plane above the backstop but did before it hit the ground in dead ball territory. Thanks.

Thanks and that makes sense. After posting my question last night I broke out the Jim Evans book I purchased and he validates what you guys said. Again I've learned another specific area of my game that needs improvement. The list is long.

First off this is a great website. I've learned a BUNCH of stuff since I happened upon this forum a few weeks ago. Thanks to everyone. Ordered and received Jim Evans 2-Man Mechanics book on Monday from the advice I read here. Great book that I can tell will really help me out. grayhawk and johnnyg08....I'm a little confused on the advice about trying to never call plays at first from the C position. Keeping in mind I'm a relatively new umpire on the 90' diamond and still hashing a lot of info, but under what circumstances would I be moving toward first from the C position to make a call? In my limited experience, by the time I determine a play is not being made on one of the existing on base runners, I generally only have time to square to first, get set and make a call. I guess there have been some routine plays where I knew quickly the ball was going to first (2 outs, infield back, etc.) but I was wondering if there is something else I'm missing? Thanks in advance.

I recently bought a pair of Champro base pants. They were about $22 dollars and another $7-8 for shipping. I've only worn them about 3 times so I can't comment on how they will hold up over time. What I can say is there is an obvious quality difference between the Smitty pants I have and these. The fabric is thinner, the expandable waste band is not as substantial, and the zipper and zipper handle seem to be of low quality. I've had the Smitty pants for several years and they've held up wonderfully. Obviously the Smitty pants should be better since they cost twice as much, but I suspect at the end of the day they will have a useful life FAR greater than 2x that of the Champro. I'm not disappointed in the Champro pants in the least because the quality is about what I expected, but I won't buy them again. Assuming (I know, maybe a mistake) the combo pants are of the same quality as the base pants I bought, I think your money would be much better spent buying higher quality pants.

Umpirechick1 - thanks for the info. I really do appreciate it. I have to kick it around a little more, but I'll probably end up attending the Southern Umpires Camp. James

ZebraStripes...I saw that. Honestly that's one of the primary reasons I figured it must be a good camp.

Umpirechick1....thanks for the response. I think I've decided the Southern Umpires Camp is the one I'll attend based on the positive reviews I've seen and the driving distance for me. It's about 8 hours. Anything especially good or bad about the camp you could mention? Also, how late did you wait to sign up? I'm generally the type that signs up for stuff way early but if some of the other guys on our Board go they may end up procrastinating. I just want to make sure the class doesn't fill up. Any tidbits you have would be great. Thanks - James

Thanks to all who replied. I'll be sure to check out the Mid American Camp and the links provided at refereeumpireschool.com. James

I was hoping some of you could provide a recommendation for a good umpire camp or clinic. I've done youth games for several years and have just completed my second year doing High School level games. I'm 44 years old and have no desire/delusions of doing anything above the HS level. However, I am somewhat a student of the game and want to be a good umpire. I feel like I'm at a point where I need to get a little more detailed instruction on mechanics, situations, etc., so I can continue improving. All that said, I'm looking for a 3-4 day camp. I live in West Virginia and would obviously prefer to minimize travel distance. I have seen the Southern Umpires camp in Atlanta which on the surface seems pretty good. That's about a 7-8 hour drive for me and is certainly manageable. So if you have any recommendations taking into account quality and length of the camp, driving distance, and cost, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance - James