Search the Community

Our annual Umpire Clinic in Tyler TX is being held Jan 26-28, 2018. Marvin Hudson, 2016 World Series Umpire along with Clint Fagan MLB Rover and others will be instructors. Also present DII, NAIA and JUCO assignors. Both 3 man and 2 man options available. Go to www.umpireclinics.com for details or email umpireclinics@gmail.com for any questions.

September 22-24, 2017. Our Kansas City Collegiate Umpires Alliance Leadership is conducting their 2017 Intro to 3-Man Umpire Clinic. Camp POC; Jon Browar, Assigner for MIAA and GLVC, NCAA Division II Conferences and Kansas Jayhawk Junior College Conference. jbrowar16@aol.com, 913-638-5212. I have attended this clinic along with many of my past and current collegiate baseball partners. Members on this board that have attended are ACPAR72, Ironman and I am sure several others. The instructor staff at this clinic are many of the same instructors that work other midwest umpire camps and clinics. All work college baseball and many worked professional baseball. There will be live games to work. In the recent past there have been both collegiate/junior college and high school level games to work. I have personally worked collegiate baseball with at least ten new to college baseball umpires that were assigned games because of their performance at this clinic. Past instructors include; current AAA Umpire Paul Clemons of Topeka, current AA Umpires Tyler Olsen and Grant Conrad. Former AAA and Major League Fill-in Umpire Seth Buckminster, 2017 NCAA Super Regional Umpires Bill McGuire of Omaha and Mark Wagers of Wichita. 2017 NCAA Regional Umpire and former minor league umpire Tim Cordill, Former minor league umpires Mark Hutchison, Carlos Martinez and others on staff in the Big XII, Big 10, Conference USA, Missouri Valley Division I Conferences. Highly recommend you attend if you are interested in learning the 3 man collegiate umpiring system. I am not being paid or otherwise rewarded or remunerated for this endorsement. I know that you will get great instruction, be treated well, meet lifelong colleagues and friends and learn a lot. It WILL make you a better umpire. PDF Flyer attached. 2017 Flyer.pdf

The 6th Annual East Texas Umpire Clinic is coming Jan 27-29. Learn from a 2016 World Series Umpire!!! Marvin Hudson is on our staff and will be here again in 2017. Only $115 right now for Fri-Sun - check out www.umpireclinics.com for all the details. Don't miss an incredible opportunity to learn from incredible instructors at the top of their game to help you better your game. Questions email me - umpireclinics@gmail.com Brian Chinn

I have attached a brochure for the 2016 Mid-American Umpire Clinic, Sept. 8-11 in Springfield, MO. Remember we give discounts to UE Premium Members, Military and Public Service Heroes, and group discounts for 4 or more. Clinic_Brochure_2016.pdf

@Richvee and I just attended the 4th of July clinic hosted by the COG/MAC. The attention on better mechanics and individual evaluations are two of the major reasons I think this group's approach to instruction are top notch. All of the instructors have experience at the Division I level or higher, yet they have the patience and interest to work with umpires of all levels of experience. Without exception, each of the dozen instructors/evaluators took the time to answer any questions and provide suggestions for improvement. Unlike many clinics, the design of this one allows for multiple evaluations of live game work as the clinic is held in coordination with a local tournament with games from 9u through 18u. Each attendee is guaranteed 2 full game evaluations for both their plate and base work. I received a lot of great feedback that will make me better and I know that @Richvee did as well. Of all the things covered in the clinic, the most valuable for me was a new approach to tracking pitches that makes so much sense and makes calling pitches much easier. Since becoming an umpire, I had been taught to track the ball from the pitchers hand to the catcher's glove, but I had never been taught how to use the natural positioning of my eyes to better track the ball. Most umpires face the pitcher and have their face and eyes looking directly at the pitcher as he is on the mound. Umpires set their face angle so that their eyes sit at their natural position while looking at the pitcher and then move their eyes as they track the ball into the strike zone. As the ball approaches the strike zone and we move our eyes down to track it into the glove, we take our eyes out of their natural position as they sit in their sockets. This downward action makes it more difficult to see the entire zone as the ball passes through it. Rather than use this approach, we were introduced to the idea of finding a focal point about 10-15 feet in front of HP. Using this focal point, instructors suggested that umpires move the angle of our head so that our eyes were sitting naturally while looking at that particular point. Their suggestion was a point at the edge of the dirt circle as shown below. As the pitcher goes through his pre-delivery motions, we were instructed to lift our eyes rather than our head. Once the pitch is delivered, track the ball and as the ball approaches the zone, your eyes will be at their natural position allowing for a more relaxed view of the pitch. I could not believe how much of a difference this made. I used it this weekend and I will continue to use this method of tracking pitches. It was a little uncomfortable at the start, but as I continued to use it I became more accustomed to it. I think of it as the Wolverine method as it reminds me of Hugh Jackman's stare in the X-Men movies I would highly recommend this clinic for anyone. The group wants their umpires to get better and they make it a priority. Have a happy and safe 4th!

Last year, instead of calling balls and strikes, I was learning how to drive and shoot a tank. This year, as of a phone call tonight, I have been named the Umpire-in-Chief of our local summer softball organization. With this big honor comes big responsibilities, such as finding, training, assigning, and evaluating our crew. When I left, here is the state of our officials: No training. Two sets of shared equipment left in the concession stands overnight. A t-shirt with the league logo on the front and "UMPIRE" printed on the back, and a suggestion (that was rarely followed) of khaki shorts. Showing up 5 minutes prior to the first pitch. These kind of things. When I showed up in a pair of grey slacks and an umpire hat (I wore the league shirt with the chest protector under it to conform to the league "uniform"), the place thought they got me from the major leagues or something. And while I have had some training, called some Varsity games, and taken to doing my job correctly, I could still use a lot of suggestions prior to taking command of this ragtag group and getting them season ready. And in case you're wondering, Opening Day is May 7th. So, with just over 2 months to properly train umpires for the very first time, I'm asking for your help. I'm not looking to prepare these folks for this season's MLB World Series; I'm looking to get them through a rec league that covers 1st-12th grade. What are the main things you suggest to teach? In your opinion, what are things you cannot do without knowing before stepping on the ballfield? Do you teach any clinics, and what are some of the methods you use? I'm open to any and all suggestions, folks! Part two. Currently, these umpires are organized under the local league, with the UIC being a position on the board. This is beneficial in regards to funding, however, can be limiting to future growth. I have the option to organize these umpires as a separate entity (our area has no umpire association), and build them with their own association identity. This might lose initial funding but could open doors to different opportunities around the area. While this is something that can change after a year or two and isn't initially as important, I'm curious to your opinions on this as well.

The California Classic run by Jim Evans is coming up in early October (6th-11th). Is there anybody who will definitely be attending this week-long clinic? If so, let me know so I can catch up with you while I am there!

It is time again for our clinic in East Texas - Tyler, TX, Jan 23-25. This year we have both a 2 man and 3 man camp. We will have several college assignors represented at the clinic this year and your chance to be seen by them as well. UT Tyler is providing players for our drills and simulated games this year. Instructors - MLB Umpires Marvin Hudson, Lance Barrett, MLB Rover Clint Fagan, Former AAA Umpire Nick Bailey, former MiLB umpire Justin Sassman, Dan Wilson plus others. ONLY $85 for the entire clinic. www.umpireclnics.com for more info or to register.

I belong to an organization that has a clinic coming up. Attendance is "mandatory" for umpires who wish to be assigned in the coming season. The clinic costs three game fees plus we must work multiple games, multiple days, with no pay. Anyone know if there's any law against requiring me to work free just to get consideration for a job I already have?

Headed for another long weekend clinic.

Hello, The Wendelstedt Umpire School is returning to the Southern California area to host the SoCal Umpire Classic in Pomona, CA November 21-23, 2014. It will include classroom, cage instruction, and field work conducted with live play by local high school teams. You will have an opportunity to improve your skills and make connections at this event. Scholarships to the professional umpire course will be provided to top students, and other prizes and give-a-ways will be offered, including MLB tickets to 2015 season games. Come and join us to make yourself the best umpire you can be at the most reasonable costs available. Tuition is $150.00 and includes instruction, clinic t-shirt, clinic manual, lunch on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, and a Certificate of Completion. Cage work will be videotaped and will be made available for your to keep and review. Tuition increases after September 30th, so enroll today. You may do so by going to www.umpireschool.com/socal_clinic.htm. Positions are limited and are filling up quickly! Please let me know if you have any further questions. Sincerely, Hunter Wendelstedt MLB #21

I came here to shed light on a subject that I think more people should know about in our community. I didn't trash no one. I only put facts on the table so you could look for yourself. Someone is selling lies with terrorism. As I said in a thread that has since been deleted, I believe all of the instructors advertised on FCU's clinic brochure are top notch umpires, their character isn't in question. When you buy their clinic, you don't get what they advertised and you paid for. It's also not unclear that your choices are to go along with the scam or refuse any chance of breaking into any college ranks. And since FCU targets high school and little league assignors to help keep the flow of tuition paying students steady, depending on where you are you may even lose those games. I hereby make an appeal to @umpire_in_chief - Judge on this yourself. Majordave has chosen sides and deletes posts that don't break the rules and are only meant to save umpire empire followers hundreds of dollars. They fooled me once.

Since FCU was sold their tryouts have gone from one a year to half a dozen times. The price for trying out has more than doubled, to $300. They don't have more games than they did though. The new owner came from Wendlestedt and brought along the idea of selling a dream. In an email I heard about this year, they said you should attend half a dozen clinics without getting discouraged. If you have been to any of their clinics, you know that FCU falsely advertises the instructors they have on staff, they just flat out lie. Then they really exaggerate what your tuition buys. You don't get any advamced mechanics, you get a very basic 2-man overview from div. II and some div. I cronies of the owner. And you don't get any evaluation, there's one instructor walking around a bunch of fields until a coach argues. The worst part is that all you're really there for is so the FCU owner can put bodies on the field for some AAU tournament. His other job is AAU umpire coordinator. Last year they didn't pay umpires for games even after they paid $300 to be there, so many people complained that this year they are paying $35/game. Personally, the only way I can earn less than that for a game is to volunteer, and if you figure the clinic tuition in I probably make more volunteering. They are preying on umpires, they take $15/umpire/game plus $300/umpire. The new owner was unceremoniously fired by MLB. He also kicked the crap out of a call in a televised NCAA game so bad that the NCAA released a video of how not to umpire.

Is anybody planning on attending the Jim Evans Desert Classic in Tucson, Arizona, October 21-25th? If so, let me know it would be great to catch up with posters on this site while attending the clinic!

A reminder to everyone our upcoming clinic in Tyler, TX January 17-19. Instructors are MLB umpires Marvin Hudson & Alfonso Marquez, AAA Umpires Lance Barrett and Nick Bailey plus others. Cost is only $100. Go to www.umpireclinics.com for more details or to register. If you have any questions email me at tylerumpires@gmail.com

I will be attending the first week of this camp. If anyone else is coming I am looking for a roommate. Florida Advanced Umpire Clinic Get Seen...Get Evaluated...Get Hired! June 14th—30th, 2013 ♦ DisneyESPNZone In conjunction with High School and Collegiate Baseball Coordinators and Assigners, this premiere clinic provides 2-man, 3 - man and 4-man system training. The SEC is utilizing 4- man crews; stay ahead of the game and advance your career by attending Florida Advanced Umpire Clinic! Clinic instructors are MLB umpires, Professional Baseball umpires, NCAA Division-1 umpires, and collegiate assigners! Instructors include: Tony Thompson, Coordinator of Umpires **SEC, ACC, A-Sun, Big South, OVC, Peach Belt, Southern, Sunbelt, Southern States, and Trans South Conferences. John Magnusson and Dennis McComb, FCU Collegiate Assigners Additional Instruction by: Rob Healey, Josh Miller, Brent Rice, Randy Harvey, Olindo Matia, Joe Judkowitz, AJ Lostaglio, Matt Hensel, Manny Salazar, and more! This opportunity simply should not be missed! Space is limited; reserve your roster spot today! Tuition Rates : One Week-long Session...$300 Two Session Value Plan...$450 Contact: Rob Healey Robhealeyaj@gmail.com **This is an approved clinic for conference and non-conference assignment, approval/consideration, and conference consideration.**

..........I was NOT actually ......   I was NOT tracking the ball ALL THE WAY into the mitt with my eyes!  Yeah, yeah, go ahead, ........................I know, I know!   Come to find out, I was tracking it with my eyes right into the front edge of the plate, (where I like to invision seeing an imaginary pane of glass), but I wasn't finishing the tracking into the mitt ...   WOW, ...all it took was an instructor to see that and go over a few things, and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!  It just 'feels' better, and the view is so much better!  Now, I'll only suck 1/2 as bad   It's just a testament to the value of going to a professional clinic!

We are hosting the 2nd East Texas Umpire Clinic in Tyler, TX on January 18-20, 2013. Our instructors are Marvin Hudson, Lance Barksdale, Lance Barrett plus a couple more minor league guys. This is the best clinic for the price you will find. Spaces are limited so check it out. http://umpireclinic.eventbrite.com/ Any questions email me: umpirebrianc@gmail.com

Any of you guys is planning to attend this clinic? Is from November 8-11, 2012.