Breaking into NAIA collegiate level

[detailshp]

I was wondering if anyone might have some suggestions on how to break into the NAIA college level for umpiring. I have done select travel ball, traveling mens leagues, and various HS and Youth leagues, and wanted to take the next step. My job would probably keep from working NCAA games, and I thought this would be a good way to move up to the next level. There are a few local colleges around here who are NAIA, and I even got the email of a regional UIC, but after two emails, I am beginning to wonder if I am doing something wrong?

[kcfan102]

Where do you live?

[detailshp]

Where do you live?

Elkhart, IN

Near South Bend, IN

[Majordave]

In most places collegiate umpiring is almost exclusively who you know. The guys who work college have to want to work with you. Thus, find out who works the games in the area where you live and who the assigner(s) is/are. Some associations have camps and tryouts if you will in the fall. Go to college games and try to talk with the umpires AFTER the games. I was lucky enough to work high school in a group with several guys who also did college and they approached me to come try out.

In Indiana and throughout the Midwest states there is an organization called CBUA. (Collegiate Baseball Umpires Alliance) Rich Fetcheit from Michigan runs it. There is a fee of around $80 to join but for that you get a hat (first year guys) a shirt/mock neck usually with logo and the NCAA rules book and Collegiate CCA Mechanics manual. And Insurance. Great deal even if you never work a game. But being in the club gets you the right to talk with the members and local assigners. There is a website: http://www.vspn.com/cbua/ Browse that a while and make contact as you wish.

Anyone on here from Northern Indiana that can help our guy out with local contacts and local advice?

Good luck.

[zm1283]

In most places collegiate umpiring is almost exclusively who you know. The guys who work college have to want to work with you. Thus, find out who works the games in the area where you live and who the assigner(s) is/are. Some associations have camps and tryouts if you will in the fall. Go to college games and try to talk with the umpires AFTER the games. I was lucky enough to work high school in a group with several guys who also did college and they approached me to come try out.

In Indiana and throughout the Midwest states there is an organization called CBUA. (Collegiate Baseball Umpires Alliance) Rich Fetcheit from Michigan runs it. There is a fee of around $80 to join but for that you get a hat (first year guys) a shirt/mock neck usually with logo and the NCAA rules book and Collegiate CCA Mechanics manual. And Insurance. Great deal even if you never work a game. But being in the club gets you the right to talk with the members and local assigners. There is a website: http://www.vspn.com/cbua/ Browse that a while and make contact as you wish.

Anyone on here from Northern Indiana that can help our guy out with local contacts and local advice?

Good luck.

It is $125 now but it pays for most of what you mentioned plus your NCAA registration which is $100 by itself.

[detailshp]

In most places collegiate umpiring is almost exclusively who you know. The guys who work college have to want to work with you. Thus, find out who works the games in the area where you live and who the assigner(s) is/are. Some associations have camps and tryouts if you will in the fall. Go to college games and try to talk with the umpires AFTER the games. I was lucky enough to work high school in a group with several guys who also did college and they approached me to come try out.

In Indiana and throughout the Midwest states there is an organization called CBUA. (Collegiate Baseball Umpires Alliance) Rich Fetcheit from Michigan runs it. There is a fee of around $80 to join but for that you get a hat (first year guys) a shirt/mock neck usually with logo and the NCAA rules book and Collegiate CCA Mechanics manual. And Insurance. Great deal even if you never work a game. But being in the club gets you the right to talk with the members and local assigners. There is a website: http://www.vspn.com/cbua/ Browse that a while and make contact as you wish.

Anyone on here from Northern Indiana that can help our guy out with local contacts and local advice?

Good luck.

Thanks for the info! I will check out the CBUA. Most of the HS umpires I worked with the last two years are HS guys who do multiple sports at that level and have no interest in moving up. Not a bad thing, just not what I am looking for.

Thanks again.

[zm1283]

Thanks for the info! I will check out the CBUA. Most of the HS umpires I worked with the last two years are HS guys who do multiple sports at that level and have no interest in moving up. Not a bad thing, just not what I am looking for.

Thanks again.

There are camps/clinics you can go to as well that will get you seen by different CBUA assignors and conference supervisors. There are two in Springfield, MO every September. It's a pretty good drive for you but might be something you want to do.

[detailshp]

There are camps/clinics you can go to as well that will get you seen by different CBUA assignors and conference supervisors. There are two in Springfield, MO every September. It's a pretty good drive for you but might be something you want to do.

Springfield is pretty far for me. Chicago, Detroit, Indy are possibilities. Anyone have any insight on camps/clinics in that area?

[JaxRolo]

Is there something similar to CBUA for the Southeast region?

[tjthresh]

There are camps/clinics you can go to as well that will get you seen by different CBUA assignors and conference supervisors. There are two in Springfield, MO every September. It's a pretty good drive for you but might be something you want to do.

Springfield is pretty far for me. Chicago, Detroit, Indy are possibilities. Anyone have any insight on camps/clinics in that area?

Rich Fetchiet is one of the camp directors at the Doane Umpire Camp in Grand Rapids.

[UmpPhil]

There are camps/clinics you can go to as well that will get you seen by different CBUA assignors and conference supervisors. There are two in Springfield, MO every September. It's a pretty good drive for you but might be something you want to do.

Springfield is pretty far for me. Chicago, Detroit, Indy are possibilities. Anyone have any insight on camps/clinics in that area?

Rich Fetchiet is one of the camp directors at the Doane Umpire Camp in Grand Rapids.

Wow, really great stuff guys. This is what I love about Umpires, we are a fraternity and almost all of us are in the interest of helping one another succeed. I just found this site yesterday and I know that it will be a great resource for me and all that I want to accomplish in my career.

[catsbackr]

Kudos to you for wanting to move up.

However, be aware that college ball, even at the NAIA level is a whole different ballgame, so to speak.

Your game management development is crucial. How you handle coaches, situations, players, etc. and any weaknesses will be magnified. College coaches jobs are directly tied to their success or failure on the field.

Good luck.