MidAmUmp

There are 2 schools of thought. One is put your chin at the top of the catcher’s head and maintain the same head height on every pitch. The other is put your eyes at the top of the zone and adjust to the height of each batter - get your eyes under the batter’s elbow. This is what I do. If my eyes move up, the pitch is a ball. My eyes do not strain on a low pitch until about 2 balls below the knee. My Trackman reports reflect that I’m getting those pitches correct.

🚨 Spots Are Filling Up! 🚨 There’s still time to register for the 2025 Mid-American Umpire Clinic, but don’t wait — we sell out at just 48 umpires every year! 📍 September 4–7 📍 Creekside Baseball Complex – Kansas City, MO 🔗 www.midamericanumpireclinic.com This clinic offers hands-on instruction in both the 2-umpire and 3-umpire systems, designed to prepare officials for: • Umpire school • High school postseason • Collegiate advancement Plus, we’ll have college conference coordinators from 4 different conferences in attendance — all looking to add to their staff. ✅ Association discounts available ✅ First responder & military discounts offered ✅ Area football officials can leave early Friday to still work their games Make your move this offseason. #GetInTheGame #KeepGrindin

I’m not opposed to having a stronger/slightly louder ball call on a close pitch. We vary voice on safe/out calls based on closeness/excitement. However, I found when I was really barking out a ball, the pitch was probably a strike. Personally, if the pitch is close, I give the location - “Ball, that’s out” or “Ball, that’s in.” Giving the location answers the question before it gets asked and lets those involved know it was close without having to yell.

Watching the LL games this time of year, every year, it’s clearly evident that head on a swivel, chest to ball, glance at runners is not being taught (or taught very well). U3 standing with his back to the infield with the ball on its way back to the infield is a bad look. U2 did not umpire his partner (if not you, then who?). Rotations and standard mechanics are missed at every level. These guys aren’t perfect and neither are D1 college umpire or MLB umpires. We’re going to miss a rotation every once in a while. But someone has to fill the hole. U3 should have turned with the ball, could have seen U2 on a coffee break, took a step, see the play, take a couple more and fudge it. PU had the entire field in front of him. He could have worked that way. At the end of the day, as an evaluator, you could criticize someone for “that’s not your call” or you could complement that guy for filling the hole and working as a team, then drink the round of beers the 2nd base umpire just bought.

On Sunday, you'll be assigned innings and then leave. There is no class/cage instruction, just game evaluations. We will use Creekside all weekend. Homefield is nice, but not conducive to a clinic environment. Creekside does have a shower after your games...grab a couple pool towels from the hotel . Don't stay an extra day. We will send an email a few weeks before the clinic asking for travel itineraries/special requests. Just let us know your flight time and we will make sure you're done and to the airport in plenty of time. In fact, a few crews actually get all of their games for the weekend finished Saturday night and do not work on Sunday. So we have many ways to get you to the airport for your flight.

Not this f-ing video again…🤦‍♂️

My son played at Homefield and Creekside this weekend and I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at Creekside. The room was very nice. No issues. That said, if the rate the weekend of the clinic is $200+ a night, I’d recommend staying at the Drury Inn or Sonesta Suites (former Courtyard by Marriott) - they are next to each other, near the airport and about 10 minutes to the Creekside complex.

We don’t recommend a hotel because so many decide to do Airbnb’s or other options and it’s becoming more difficult to deal with getting a discounted group rate with hotels. I’ve personally stayed at the hotel at Creekside. I haven’t experienced any issues that you’ve mentioned. The breakfast is your typical HIE breakfast. As far as Sunday goes, book your flight and you’ll tell us when you need to be at the airport. We will make sure you’re done with your games and get to the airport in plenty of time.

This is the one I’d recommend

I’m going 🙋‍♂️

www.cbuaclinics.com

www.midamericanumpireclinic.com Sept 5-8 in Kansas City

https://www.walmart.com/ip/uni-ball-207-Retractable-Fraud-Prevention-Gel-Pens-Medium-Point-0-7-mm-Black-Barrels-Assorted-Ink-Colors-Pack-Of-4/235879625 This pen was created by Uni Ball with the help of Frank Abagnale Jr. (the real guy from the movie Catch Me If You Can) for fraud prevention. The ink is quick drying and I’ve never experienced any issues using them in wet conditions. I also use the Sharpie S-Gel pens. Always in red ink.

I know the guy who runs the Mid-American Umpire Clinic. 🙋‍♂️ I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. Who knows…reaching out and asking some questions about the clinic might have some financial benefit…

There is central review in post season. No one on the field is involved with instant replay. They put on the headsets and communicate with the central replay…I believe it’s located in Pennsylvania. The NCAA reviewed the play and the NCAA confirmed the call on the field.

There’s not really a right or wrong. “On the tag” should be pointed at with your left hand because you signal the out with your right hand. I point at obstruction with my left hand but there’s nothing wrong with using your right hand. Balks probably should be pointed at with your right hand, but again, it doesn’t really matter. Use your left hand to point when you need to immediately use your right hand to make a call.

Check out the Ump-App at www.ump-app.com It is a great app for umpire associations to train new recruits and current members. Get with your association and we will be happy to set up a demo for you. It is definitely the new trend for umpire education. No more trying to find a place to meet, hoping people show up and pay attention while they are there instead of being on their phones. We’re putting the training on their phones! Email me at jasonblackburn@ump-app.com if you would like to set up a demo.

Good topic! Personally, I would mosey in between innings and see how my partner is doing. What's his demeanor? Just start by asking, how's it going? See what he says. That simple question may open him up to, "Am I missing those pitches?" Now you can have that conversation. I try to identify what I'm seeing...tracking or timing...that's why we miss pitches. We aren't seeing the ball into the glove before making our decisions. Head could be too low or too high. Maybe he's not in the slot. Whatever...but try to give him something besides, "Yeah, you're not very good tonight." On the other hand, if he's mf'ing the pitcher, then probably just head on out to the outfield, get out your barrel and makeup and be ready to play rodeo clown. You tried...

I bet he does... It went to replay and the call was confirmed by the NCAA, which included the secretary/rules editor.

Thanks. If it were any other mask, I'd consider chopping it, but I'm not chopping off a Nike.

Thanks. Bear in mind I usually only work 15-20 plates in a year so they don't get a lot of wear and tear on them, but they have held up well.

They look cool. From a safety standpoint, I'd say Team Wendy are better. I don't remember what I paid for them at the time, but I believe the price + shipping has gone up quite a bit since then.

I like my pads. They have held up well for 2 1/2 years.

Maybe he was taking pictures of you taking pictures of him to post on his social media telling his friends not to be “that guy” taking pictures of fellow umpires to try to shame them. Just a thought...

Since several feathers have been ruffled, I want to clarify something...maybe I could have worded my last post better yesterday, but at no point did I make reference to the impact of the virus being blown out of proportion. What I was attempting to state was - I think we should be playing baseball, but that’s out of my hands. What I believe that has been blown out of proportion is umpires complaining about the situation. I thought that was the point I was making. My entire post was about how I do not believe the NCAA owes anyone anything. Again, maybe I could have done a better job in how I worded that. Now that I’ve hopefully cleared that up for everyone, I’m done.