Becoming a College Umpire

[jflores]

I live in Houston, Texas. How does one start to work his way up into the college ranks whether it be division 1,2,3 or JUCO. Does anyone know a contact person or perhaps what camps to attend that are nearby.

[mtnump]

I have looked into it in my area by looking up the different umpire associations and assigners. Some even have a rating system for required experience. The one thing that seems to get you in the door a little easier is one of the schools meaning Wendelstedt or Evans. You have more possibilities than I do just because of the volume of baseball available compared to what I have...

[dumbdumb]

From reading, it seems like most of the people on this board that work or worked College were just like Dan Bellino. Word got out about how good they were, and they were approached to move up. Most did not go to an umpire school at all.

With all that warm weather and being a baseball state, if you are 'hell on wheels', they will be banging down your door and begging you to work all the College Conferences.

[Umpire in Chief]

First you have to connect with the right association. That association my not even assign college games but has the connections.

Second attend clinics where supervisors are. For example our friends at the Mid American Umpire Clinic have Rick Denny there who is an assignor in the mid west.

Next, you have to pay your dues, this might mean not getting any or very few games at first, then getting the best team in the conference vs the worse, and remember there is generally no 10RR.

Finally, kick ass out there and get noticed for your ability. Don't start trying to compare yourself to others who are in the college ranks and think you are better, deserve it more or are even entitled to anything. Those guys generally don't get far at all.

Also be sure to treat every game like an opportunity. Find something to learn about the game, the rules, mechanics, situations or anything else in each game you work.

Best of luck.

[yawetag]

Next, you have to pay your dues, this might mean not getting any or very few games at first, then getting the best team in the conference vs the worse, and remember there is generally no 10RR.

And it's in the middle of the week. In the middle of nowhere. For little or no pay. In February. At the last minute.

I'm not complaining, but telling it like it is.

[txump81]

I live in Houston, Texas. How does one start to work his way up into the college ranks whether it be division 1,2,3 or JUCO. Does anyone know a contact person or perhaps what camps to attend that are nearby.

I would suggest getting in touch with Chuck at Baseball USA. They have a great umpire training program and lots of opportunities to work games. They have a basic and an advanced camp coming up in August and July. They also have a couple of their guys in "The Show" and the minors. At their camps, a lot of the instructors are these pros.

Baseball USA

[MidAmUmp]

I live in Houston, Texas. How does one start to work his way up into the college ranks whether it be division 1,2,3 or JUCO. Does anyone know a contact person or perhaps what camps to attend that are nearby.

Warren mentioned my umpire clinic (Mid-American Umpire Clinic) in his reply. Here is my advice for you, not only as the owner of a clinic but also as an assignor. You need to go to a clinic for 3 reasons. 1) Learn from upper level college umpires how to call the game at the college level. 2) Be seen by assignors. 3) Make connections.

After attending a clinic be willing to work fall scrimmage games at area colleges. That will get your foot in the door and show the assignors you are serious about working up. Additionally, be willing to VOLUNTEER to work as a 3rd man in the spring at the lower college levels (JUCO, NAIA, D-III). Most of the time they run a 2-umpire crew and the crew would welcome the opportunity to have a 3rd man jump out there with them. Along the way, you must be able to work hard and handle the games. Just because you go out there and work them doesn't mean you're going to get college games in the future...you have to do a good job while you are out there.

I am 34 years old, work in 2 D-I conferences, have worked 6 NCAA D-II Regionals, and the NCAA D-II World Series. I'm not trying to toot my own horn. I tell you those things about myself to tell you that I did the things listed above to get where I am today.

I would welcome you at my clinic, but there are very good clinics closer to Houston. Do some research and select the clinic you feel is right for you to help you get where you want to go. That is the first step to becoming a college umpire.

Best of luck!

[sdix00]

What is the best place to find clinics across the country? Is there a central directory that catalogs level, location, price, staff, etc?

[Umpire in Chief]

Pete has a good list at Midwest Ump:

http://midwestump.blogspot.com/p/umpire-schools-camps-and-clinics.html

[Boom]

Hi op Houston is a city I have abit of experience umpiring in at baseball USA rothwood and there is another one I forget.

All are within an hours drive of each other on the northwest side.

 

There is a camp coming up called the pro umpire camp.  If you go to their site you can get the scheduleschedule/directions.  You can watch the umpires work live games at the fields and talk to the instructors as they will be evaluating.  Most are active minor league umpires that are advancing.

 

Mike Carroll will be there and Ron Teague.

Look for the guys with the notepads in black shirts.

These are the people that will be a great contact to know.  The same teaching group are active teaching brand new umpires in the area.

 

Just sit back and watch and when the instructors get done with their post game critique go up and ask em.  They won't bite I promise.  

 

[Minnz]

Personal experience is like many listed above. I am 36 and will be getting my first chance with JUCO baseball.  I have been asked for work for Region 5 in New Mexico and Texas.  Took many years to get there.

Working high school for many years and earned my way to call state finals games. 

The biggest thing I did was work many Fall Ball and scrimmages at Univ. of New Mexico the past few years. Volunteered my time to do it and even found out when the Mtn West and D2 assigners would be in town for visits. That helped me get seen.  Also got me invited to some Rocky Mountain region clinics and Texas as well.

Put the time in, don't care if you get paid every time, and be willing to take constructive criticism from experienced umpires and assigners.

[kstrunk]

I'm a pastor in the northeast, and like the OP, would someday like to pursue the college ranks. The question I have is likely obvious, does my lack of availability on Sunday mornings prohibit or inhibit my aspirations? 

[maven]

13 minutes ago, kstrunk said:

I'm a pastor in the northeast, and like the OP, would someday like to pursue the college ranks. The question I have is likely obvious, does my lack of availability on Sunday mornings prohibit or inhibit my aspirations? 

Depends on the conference: check with your local assigner. How about Tuesdays at 1:30? If you can make those games, you'll have plenty of work, and somebody else can pick up Sunday mornings.

[noumpere]

14 minutes ago, kstrunk said:

I'm a pastor in the northeast, and like the OP, would someday like to pursue the college ranks. The question I have is likely obvious, does my lack of availability on Sunday mornings prohibit or inhibit my aspirations? 

There's a need (generally -- some areas might be different) for umpires on Monday through Saturday as well.  And, if you're open Sunday afternoons, that works.

[kstrunk]

1 minute ago, maven said:

Depends on the conference: check with your local assigner. How about Tuesdays at 1:30? If you can make those games, you'll have plenty of work, and somebody else can pick up Sunday mornings.

Thanks Maven. I have a fair bit of control over my time during the week, and most Saturdays. While the work must get done, I often can decide when, so that is inspiring. Thanks. 

[BT_Blue]

@kstrunk, check out Colligate Officials Group (COG) on facebook. They are all up and down the eastern seaboard and is headed up by NCAA Regional Advisor Darrin Sealy.

[kstrunk]

3 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

@kstrunk, check out Colligate Officials Group (COG) on facebook. They are all up and down the eastern seaboard and is headed up by NCAA Regional Advisor Darrin Sealy.

Thanks! 

[maineump]

Another assignor in the Mid-Atlantic area is Nick Zibelli (cbuao). www.cbuao.com. They do tryouts every fall.

[kstrunk]

Just now, maineump said:

Another assignor in the Mid-Atlantic area is Nick Zibelli (cbuao). www.cbuao.com. They do tryouts every fall.

I was actually on their site, and seriously considering reaching out. Do you know if CBUAO or MAC have minimum experience requirements? A certain number of years at a certain level before they'll consider you? 

[kanedog]

Usually it's 5 years of Varsity experience or pro experience. The best thing is to go to a CBUAO tryout or one of COG 2 man camps in the summer.