<acronym title='Cooperstown Dream Park'>CDP</acronym> 2012

[JaxRolo]

I will be headed to CDP on Week 7 this year.

Anyone else headed up there this year?

I'd be interested in sharing a rent a car if anyone else is coming.

[tjthresh]

CDP?

[BT_Blue]

Cooperstown Dreams Park. Its a large weekly tournament held each year in Cooperstown, NY during the summer. Its actually a whole heck of a lot of fun. Was there the first week of August (what ever week that was) in 2006. Would not mind going back. No pay but lots of fun.

[mjr_2013]

I'm not eligible to be a CDP ump (I'm only 17), but I'm interested in being one at some point, perhaps in the summer break between HS graduation and the beginning of fall term.

How does one go about joining? Is it just volunteers or do you need to be connected with a team? Is it free or do you pay for room/board/meals/etc.?

Thanks!

[yawetag]

I'm not eligible to be a CDP ump (I'm only 17), but I'm interested in being one at some point, perhaps in the summer break between HS graduation and the beginning of fall term.

How does one go about joining? Is it just volunteers or do you need to be connected with a team? Is it free or do you pay for room/board/meals/etc.?

Thanks!

Haven't been there, but I've done some research. To go, you fill out the application and send it in -- no cost. At that point, you have two options: find a team or go on your own. If you find a team, it's customary to receive payment of some kind; most get their travel paid for, while others have been able to get (a lot) more -- I'd try to go for travel costs plus a bit more. If you go on your own, it's free for you (except for the travel costs).

To find a team, you have to look around. I'd suggest going to 2011's weeks and finding a team in your area. Do Google searches to find the team's page (it shouldn't be too hard -- these teams are paying thousands to travel to tournaments; they can afford a website) and email the coach of the team. If they're not looking for an umpire, they may know a team that is.

Teams want to take an umpire because they're supposed to pay a fine if they don't have one. I have heard this fine has not been charged in the past.

[BT_Blue]

I want to say that I remember that there was a charge if you didnt come with a team. That might be for the team and not us but I cant remember. It should say on the CDP site.

The teams dont necessarily need to be in your area either. I remember a guy that was from the midwest that had hooked on with a team from Hawaii (the Hawaiians were the coolest bunch of kids by the way).

[JaxRolo]

I want to say that I remember that there was a charge if you didnt come with a team. That might be for the team and not us but I cant remember. It should say on the <acronym title='Cooperstown Dream Park'>CDP</acronym> site.

The teams dont necessarily need to be in your area either. I remember a guy that was from the midwest that had hooked on with a team from Hawaii (the Hawaiians were the coolest bunch of kids by the way).

I'm in Florida. Last year I went with a team from Texas and this year is a team from Michigan.

There is no charge to umpires. Lodging and meals are provided by CDP.

[mjr_2013]

Thanks! It is definitely something I would look into when I'mold enough

[yawetag]

The teams dont necessarily need to be in your area either. I remember a guy that was from the midwest that had hooked on with a team from Hawaii (the Hawaiians were the coolest bunch of kids by the way).

Certainly. I went local for two reasons: (1) It lessens the emails you send out, as you don't want to look like a spammer trying to find bait; and (2) You might not have to worry about paying for travel if they're purchasing tickets to fly there (you could ride the bus, too, if you want).

[BT_Blue]

one thing I do recommend is either rent a car or meet someone that has one. Cooperstown, though very nice and all, is in the middle of nowhere.

[mstaylor]

Definitely get a car. CDP is a ways out of town.

[BT_Blue]

Definitely get a car. CDP is a ways out of town.

Thats an understatement. CDP ballparks are, what, 20 minutes outside of town?

[mstaylor]

To be honest, I was in Cooperstown but I didn't go all the way out to the park, no games that weekend.

[BT_Blue]

I got lucky when I was there in '06. I happened to be there for induction weekend. Got to see the announcer for the Padres (cant remember his name right now) go in which was cool because I spent a year-plus in SD before going to CDP and all my friends are from San Diego.

[Nate]

If you need a team just call CDP, they'll be happy to get one if a team is looking. It's a good experience, great baseball for the age.. If you end up having a good crew chief and crew you'll have a good week. I've always enjoyed going, this will be my 4th year going back.

[BT_Blue]

I had a really good time while I was there. Got to work the stick for a semifinal game. Good ball besides the fact I got the most hurt I have ever been on a ball field.

[mjr_2013]

I had a really good time while I was there. Got to work the stick for a semifinal game. Good ball besides the fact I got the most hurt I have ever been on a ball field.

You expect to leave us hanging? What happened?

[BT_Blue]

I had a really good time while I was there. Got to work the stick for a semifinal game. Good ball besides the fact I got the most hurt I have ever been on a ball field.

You expect to leave us hanging? What happened?

I normally use the Davis stance when I work the plate. My stance is wider than these kids are tall (for the most part) and I took a foul ball to my arm right at the elbow. Bent my arm with the hit and the arm/elbow didnt heal for almost a month. Hurt like the dickens when it happened.

Check that, second worst time I got hurt on the field. HS two years ago. Working a JV game, my mask wasnt as tight as it should have been and I was sticking my lower jaw out to make contact with the bottom pad. Took a foul ball right off the mask. Blacked out for a second or two. And had to stop the game for almost 7 minutes before I could move my mouth comfortably and talk. I readjusted my mask, finished the game, and it took almost two months to for my jaw to finally feel normal.

Let this be a warning to everyone... make sure your mask fits right.

[mjr_2013]

I had a really good time while I was there. Got to work the stick for a semifinal game. Good ball besides the fact I got the most hurt I have ever been on a ball field.

You expect to leave us hanging? What happened?

I normally use the Davis stance when I work the plate. My stance is wider than these kids are tall (for the most part) and I took a foul ball to my arm right at the elbow. Bent my arm with the hit and the arm/elbow didnt heal for almost a month. Hurt like the dickens when it happened.

Check that, second worst time I got hurt on the field. HS two years ago. Working a JV game, my mask wasnt as tight as it should have been and I was sticking my lower jaw out to make contact with the bottom pad. Took a foul ball right off the mask. Blacked out for a second or two. And had to stop the game for almost 7 minutes before I could move my mouth comfortably and talk. I readjusted my mask, finished the game, and it took almost two months to for my jaw to finally feel normal.

Let this be a warning to everyone... make sure your mask fits right.

That's painful to even read...

[BT_Blue]

I had a really good time while I was there. Got to work the stick for a semifinal game. Good ball besides the fact I got the most hurt I have ever been on a ball field.

You expect to leave us hanging? What happened?

I normally use the Davis stance when I work the plate. My stance is wider than these kids are tall (for the most part) and I took a foul ball to my arm right at the elbow. Bent my arm with the hit and the arm/elbow didnt heal for almost a month. Hurt like the dickens when it happened.

Check that, second worst time I got hurt on the field. HS two years ago. Working a JV game, my mask wasnt as tight as it should have been and I was sticking my lower jaw out to make contact with the bottom pad. Took a foul ball right off the mask. Blacked out for a second or two. And had to stop the game for almost 7 minutes before I could move my mouth comfortably and talk. I readjusted my mask, finished the game, and it took almost two months to for my jaw to finally feel normal.

Let this be a warning to everyone... make sure your mask fits right.

That's painful to even read...

Lets just say it wasnt much fun.

[UmpJeff]

Definitely get a car. CDP is a ways out of town.

Thats an understatement. CDP ballparks are, what, 20 minutes outside of town?

It's about a 10 minute drive from Milford (where CDP is located) to Cooperstown. Highway 28 takes you directly into town.

I'll be there Week 7.

[JaxRolo]

Definitely get a car. CDP is a ways out of town.

Thats an understatement. CDP ballparks are, what, 20 minutes outside of town?

It's about a 10 minute drive from Milford (where CDP is located) to Cooperstown. Highway 28 takes you directly into town.

I'll be there Week 7.

I will also be there Week 7 if you are interested in sharing the coast of a rental car!

[mstaylor]

I just an email looking for an umpire to go to CDP Aug 10-17. Contat me and I can give someone interested the number.