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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

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.

Anyone who is looking to get a job in minor league baseball should look into attending O.U.T.S. Run by Bob Bainter. The chief instructor is Brent Rice who is also the lead instructor at Wendelstedt. We have had the top returning student 6 years running. We place 27 umpires in the Northwoods league during the summer. That is the premier wood bat College league. Our camp is 10 days in Cocoa Beach, Fla. Registration is now open. You do not need to have attended a school. However, we prefer that you want to. Certainly, will not preclude you from getting a placement. We will have many special guests. Reps from the App league, Northwoods, Atlantic league, Frontier league. More to come. Please visit our website. http://www.oceansideumpiretraining.com/

Anyone who is looking to get a job in minor league baseball should look into attending O.U.T.S. Run by Bob Bainter. The chief instructor is Brent Rice who is also the lead instructor at Wendelstedt. We have had the top returning student 6 years running. We place 27 umpires in the Northwoods league during the summer. That is the premier wood bat College league. Our camp is 10 days in Cocoa Beach, Fla. Registration is now open. You do not need to have attended a school. However, we prefer that you want to. Certainly, will not preclude you from getting a placement. We will have many special guests. Reps from the App league, Northwoods, Atlantic league, Frontier league. More to come. Please visit our website. http://www.oceansideumpiretraining.com/

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!

I noticed Gerry Davis is selling an Umpire Training CD on-line now called "Virtual Umpire Camp". I read the press release issued through MLB. It sounds like a good product to purchase. Has anyone seen (or used) the content yet? If so, is it worth the time and money? Here is a link to the Press Release for the item: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080313&content_id=2424117&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

The NJSAB is proud to announce its Inaugural Preseason Umpire Clinic on February 16, 2014 from 1:00PM-5:00PM in Bridgewater, NJ. This clinic will put an emphasis on the nuances within the two umpire system with “rapid fire†sessions covering: Taking Plays at the Plate, Taking Trouble Plays at First Base, Balks, Administering Halfâ€Swing Appeals, the Plate Meeting, Partner Pregames and Postgames and Handling Situations both on and off the field. Instruction will take place in a large indoor classroom setting with live demonstrations and will be augmented by video clips from recent professional and collegiate games. Honors graduates of Professional Umpiring School, Dan Merzel and Alex Skandalis, will serve as your lead instructors For more information or to register, see the link below and our video (they work now, sorry about the previous posting. http://njsab.com/training/2-man-clinic-registration/

Surfing the net I just found this. http://www.sportsmanagementworldwide.com/courses/baseball-umpire

Anybody planning on attending the 2012 Southern Umpires camp in Atlanta this February? If so, I can save you some money on tuition. I was all set to go to the Southern camp last year and, due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to attend. This year wont work for me either due to scheduling, and, to the fact that I had the opportunity to go to the MLBUC in Compton a couple of weeks ago. I still have a 325.00 deposit posted for the Southern camp that i would be happy to transfer to somebody for 260.00...(20% savings). PM me if interested.