Headed to O.U.T.S. March 21-30.

[NCAAump2]

I'm headed to my first umpire camp, Oceanside Umpire Training Seminar in Cocoa Beach, FL from March 21-30. It's ran by Bob Bainter, newly appointed Umpire Supervisor of the Northwoods League. I don't have the time or money to attend the 5-week course, so this is a pretty decent substitute. It's also a "try-out" for those umpires interested in working the Northwoods League this upcoming summer, so all umpires who attend will get evaluated by MiLB standards and chosen based on their performance. One of the things I liked about the camp is that it's not nearly as structured as the other camps, meaning most of the instruction you receive is on field (during scrimmages or games when you are being watched by the evaluators there). One of the instructors is Greg from the Mid-America Camp in Springfield, MO, as well as two Atlantic League umpires and 2 or 3 NCAA Division I umpires also. Looking forward to getting a nice tan and learning a ton!

[ukce1861]

We're expecting a detailed review upon your return. Good luck and have fun. I've had my eye on this clinic for a couple of years now because it's fairly close and the short duration is nice, so I'll be interested to hear what you think about it.

[NCAAump2]

The short duration and cost ($500 for the 9-day clinic which includes 9 nights in a beachfront hotel), along with the quality of instructors that will be there is what me to decide to go. Apparently some of the games we'll be working will be at the Washington Nationals spring training complex, which will be exciting. I'll have my laptop with me down there, so if possible, I'll come on here and post daily reviews/updates, as well as a complete review upon my return to St. Louis.

[sdix00]

I am in the exact same boat as ukce.

Please post as much as you can about the camp. I too have been eyeing this camp.

A Florida trip is already in the works so this would be a bonus.

[johnnyg08]

I am in the exact same boat as ukce.

Please post as much as you can about the camp. I too have been eyeing this camp.

Almost all of the Northwoods League ball is played in my backdoor. Honestly, I'm annoyed that I would have to fly to Florida for 9 days to work baseball my backyard this coming summer. It seems redundant that a person with relevant experience and training would have to attend yet another school for a couple of months on the road. I've been called to fill in for Northwoods umpires before as well as other guys in our group.

That being said, good for you for being able to go down there for it. No doubt, you will have a great experience.

To be honest, it sounds like a two week paid vacation in Florida for the NW league supervisors.

That is my opinion, I'm not disparaging those of you who are going...go for it, if you don't know anything about the NW league, it is very good baseball. The only rule I have is that if you get in and we've been talking on here, make you we meet up at a NW game or two.

[JaxRolo]

I also have looked at this camp. Unfortunately it's right in the middle of our HS season. I only live 1 1/2 hours away from there.

[NCAAump2]

A friend of mine went who went to Wendelstedt's last year went to this camp as well, after which he took a job in the Northwoods League, and he's the one who told me about the camp. (He's going back to O.U.T.S. this year as well, but hoping for a job in the Atlantic League instead.) A lot of the guys attending this camp are ones that went to umpire school this year but didn't make it to PBUC, so they're trying for a job in one of the independent leagues. From what I have been told, the Northwoods League, Atlantic League, Can-Am League and American Association supervisors will be there looking at umpires for this coming summer.

[mstaylor]

What is the Atlantics league?

[NCAAump2]

What is the Atlantics league?

A typo.

[johnnyg08]

What is the Atlantics league?

All of these leagues are basically college wood bat summer leagues. Northwoods League are division 1 freshmen and sophmores from around the country unless they get drafted. cape cod league is another good league...there are many others.

[NCAAump2]

What Johnny said. I thought Mike was referring to a typo in a previous post.

[mstaylor]

I wasn't referring to any typo. I was just wondering what the Atlantic league was.

[BT_Blue]

I too have been receiving emails from Bob for almost two years (as well as Facebook posts and such). I have been wondering about this school as well as BBUC in Sacramento, CA (which is WAY closer to me than Florida). I look forward to your reviews.

[Haid D' Salaami]

If this clinic is still in Cocoa Beach, it is anything but on the beach, I stayed there last year for 2 nights, and it is a good clinic, but the room Accommodations are a barracks style place..and last year the supervisor for the AA league and Can am league did not go there cause they have a proumpire clinic/ tryouts in Lousiana for independent ball. You will learn a bunch, and get to umpire...

edit.. i looked up the addy, they did move the location... so now it will be a nicer place than in the past. :wave:

[dumbdumb]

I wasn't referring to any typo. I was just wondering what the Atlantic league was.

You asketh, you receiveth.

http://www.atlanticleague.com/atl-about.php

[mstaylor]

Not that I would be chasing that idea but I have a couple of guys that may. What kind of money do they get for leagues like this?

[dumbdumb]

Not that I would be chasing that idea but I have a couple of guys that may. What kind of money do they get for leagues like this?

You know I would let you know if I had ever googled and found out, however, you will have to leave it to others on this board to help out that information, pay, travel per diem, schedule.

Good luck with others weighing in on this.

[mstaylor]

More of a curiosity for me. I would just pass the info along to the guys that may be interested. The closest parks to us are at least two to three hours away.

[Haid D' Salaami]

I will email a few guys who worked int he league last year.. you do drive alot, work everyday, stay in hotels.. and get some travel money ( the driver only ) ....all of the clubs give you a food voucher, instead of per diem to eat with.

[johnnyg08]

Northwoods League you'll earn approximately $3400 and driving from Iowa to Thunder Bay Canada.

Just check out the websites, for the geography.

[NCAAump2]

If this clinic is still in Cocoa Beach, it is anything but on the beach, I stayed there last year for 2 nights, and it is a good clinic, but the room Accommodations are a barracks style place..and last year the supervisor for the AA league and Can am league did not go there cause they have a proumpire clinic/ tryouts in Lousiana for independent ball. You will learn a bunch, and get to umpire...

edit.. i looked up the addy, they did move the location... so now it will be a nicer place than in the past.

The accommodations are no longer in the "barracks-style" place you are referring to, they have moved it to the Cocoa Beach Suites like you said, which is RIGHT on the beach (okay, 1/2 block away, but I'll take it.)

My friend that worked the Northwoods League last year (I talked to him practically everyday while he was there) made $1,500/mo in game fees (doing one game per day everyday for a month averages to $50/game.) They are also given food vouchers that were previously mentioned for breakfast and lunch at local restaurants and their "dinner" is provided for them at the stadiums after each game. Hotels (paid for by host team) are different in every city, but you don't necessarily travel everyday. The "travel pay" someone referred to is normally a gas card from the home team that has to be used at a specific gas station in that city (most likely some kind of advertising partnership deal), which is enough to get the umpires to the next city they go to. A couple teams (Thunder Bay for sure) give them cash instead to use toward gas.

[johnnyg08]

If this clinic is still in Cocoa Beach, it is anything but on the beach, I stayed there last year for 2 nights, and it is a good clinic, but the room Accommodations are a barracks style place..and last year the supervisor for the AA league and Can am league did not go there cause they have a proumpire clinic/ tryouts in Lousiana for independent ball. You will learn a bunch, and get to umpire...

edit.. i looked up the addy, they did move the location... so now it will be a nicer place than in the past.

The accommodations are no longer in the "barracks-style" place you are referring to, they have moved it to the Cocoa Beach Suites like you said, which is RIGHT on the beach (okay, 1/2 block away, but I'll take it.)

My friend that worked the Northwoods League last year (I talked to him practically everyday while he was there) made $1,500/mo in game fees (doing one game per day everyday for a month averages to $50/game.) They are also given food vouchers that were previously mentioned for breakfast and lunch at local restaurants and their "dinner" is provided for them at the stadiums after each game. Hotels (paid for by host team) are different in every city, but you don't necessarily travel everyday. The "travel pay" someone referred to is normally a gas card from the home team that has to be used at a specific gas station in that city (most likely some kind of advertising partnership deal), which is enough to get the umpires to the next city they go to. A couple teams (Thunder Bay for sure) give them cash instead to use toward gas.

Yep, it's a lot of good baseball, for not a lot of pay. But if I was young and single, it would be fun.

[NCAAump2]

He said he enjoyed it. Similar to the players, it's a way for guys who don't make PBUC to experience the way minor league baseball would be (away from home, driving a lot, calling a game everyday) for the umpires as well, so I think it was a good experience for him.

[johnnyg08]

It's pretty intense it's like 56 games in 60 days or something crazy like that.

[ukce1861]

I think doing something like that would be a blast. I'd love to do nothing but baseball for two months...