NCAA umpires or NCAA Wannabe's

[Majordave]

The 2009 NCAA umpires clinics registration is now open. See eofficials.com NCAA link on bottom left.

(of the eofficials website home page, not this page)

Registration is free. Training is good. Lots of video last year. Networking opportunities, vendors with discounts on gear, baseball in the winter. I recommend it even if you do not yet work NCAA but desire to do so in the future. Unless you are attending a hands on clinic somewhere on the weekend it is near your area you should attend one of these.

Edited November 12, 2008 by Majordave
More clarity in location of NCAA link.

[MCLEOD36]

I just attended a weekend camp in Miami, the mechanics taught were critical for any level of ball. While our focus was on the three man system, which I have rarely done, the hands on was great and highly recommended. Start with the videos, then find a camp.

[mstaylor]

You can never go to too many clinics. I have attended many taught by MiLB and MLB umpires plus a couple for college and I still try to go whenever I can. One thing our umpire group stresses is that if you aren't improving you are declining, no one stays still.

It goes along with my Dad's teaching that when you learn all there is about your trade or craft, then quit.

[LMSANS]

I plan on being at the clinic in Philadelphia.

I need it.

[Umpire in Chief]

Do you really think this would be a good event to attend if you are not an NCAA umpire? Would this be seen as pretentious? Even for somebody like me who is not even at the ranks of doing D-III or JuCo games?

[LMSANS]

When I was not accepted into the college ranks last month, I was told in no uncertain terms that I needed to attend NCAA and pro clinics. My HS clinics were fine if that is where I wanted to stay but I needed to learn the rules and mechanics in the clinics.

I found reading the books just doesn't cut it with mechanics. Especially with the signals that are used for college ball. Working summer college ball, a couple of guys tried to show me the signals, but I didn't work enough with them to get them down. That probably hurt me on my recent exam.

And as far as I can tell, the clinic itself is free. I successfully registered without giving a credit card or any other bill related activity. There will be a hotel charge, but I can live with that.

[Majordave]

and the training is excellent. Videos of CWS and other tournament situations with senior NCAA umpires discussing the calls, the positioning, the rules. A lot of situation management type video and discussions. This is what separates the good from the good enough to work D-1. For all of these coaches, head and assistants, it is their livelihood. They do baseball FULL-TIME. They are passionate about winning to a fault. We, on the other hand, are part-time arbiters of a game we love but do not work at with every ounce of our ability EVERY DAY of our lives. I know some NCAA coaches from when I coached Legion and sent my players to their camps and workouts and visits, etc. My son was in the mix for a while but wound up playing football instead of baseball in college. If you attend one of these clinics you will have a significant appreciation for the effort and dedication these higher level fellows have. I want to be there so bad it hurts.

The Atlanta Clinic agenda is posted online now. Conference umpires meetings only on Friday evening. Saturday Morning rules update session all am and breakout sessions on rules, situations, etc. in pm (three different sessions) Final matters and local association meetings on Sunday morning. Sunday is optional unless you will be eligible to work post season, Attendance at all sessions is mandatory for those.

There is not a mechanics session, per se, but you do learn via the videos, and q and a during breakouts. There are no demos, no stand and deliver. It is a gentlemen's meeting. Most of those attending dress to impress. Ties and jackets/suits. Sunday is slightly more casual for most with turtlenecks and jackets or sweaters.

There is probably more I can say but I recommend it if you want to work at that level. It will make you a better umpire. Last year was my first in college ball. I was told I would only work NAIA and maybe some DIII and work my way up. I got several NAIA games, two of them were conference weekend and several NAIA vs NCAA matchups in early season. Then I got a DII series in mid season. So, you never know. My mentor tells me that getting in to college ball is initially a show of your ABILITY. Then, moving up depends upon, in large part, your AVAILABILITY.

Wishing you well in whatever you decide to do. I will be in Atlanta and possibly also in Chicago due to my association working both southern and mid-western conferences. It is all tax deductible as umpire training expense. If you have the means.

[MCLEOD36]

Warren.

I looked at it like this, as did others above, I didnt mind being thrown into the wolves at the camp I recently attended and told myself, just get better. It is like your site and these forumns, I like reading many of them and especially the situations and mechanics because it gets me very focused very fast before my time on the field. It was very refreshing at the camp to see MLB umps (fresh off world series) fine tuning my plate work and then giving me SH*#(take, the mushroom) because of my metal counter and said does that thing have a gps. Yes, I asked a lot of silly questions at times or looked dopey on the bases and dish, but very quickly the guys/girl (one) came up to me and went damn you did improve and it was a pleasure having you with us. As MS said above, if you arent learning something new quit. Just my two cents.

[Majordave]

Listed below is a copy, verbatim, of a memo I received from my college assigner from Tony Thompson, Umpire Coordinator for all major conferences in the Southeastern United States inviting all current non-conference collegiate umpires to the Atlanta clinic. I think that all prospective collegiate umpires should also be invited so I urge all who can afford the time and expense should make plans and attend. There is an alternate hotel as well if you are too late for the Marriott or want to save about $60 to $70 bucks on a room for two nights.

Hope to see some of you there.

Dave

TO: All Collegiate Baseball Umpires

FROM: Tony Thompson

DATE: December 8, 2008

SUBJECT: College Baseball Umpires Super Clinic,, Atlanta, Georgia

The agenda and information for the clinic to be held Saturday-Sunday, January 17-18, 2009, in Atlanta, GA is below:

The NCAA adopted the Southeastern Regions Super Clinic format (for all NCAA clinics) that has been in place since 1999. In previous clinics we had over 600 umpires from the various Southeastern states. We encourage attendance by any non-conference umpire. The NCAA and all Southeast geographical conferences are committed to the overall umpire improvement program and the development of a consistent training program for all college umpires. (Any level).

The inclusion of umpires from regional assigning agencies who will be working non-conference games (required to be approved by the Conference coordinator of umpires, DI only) is a vital process and step in the development program and we encourage attendance for both days of the clinic.

If you are an assignor for a local or regional collegiate umpiring association, please forward this information to your members. This clinic will be an excellent educational event for any college umpire and help to identify and train umpires at the Division I, II, III level in the Southeast.

Prior to the clinic all umpires need to register on the NCAA website or you may register in person the opening day of the clinic. An agenda and listing of meeting topics and schedule are attached. If you or your assignor for non-conference or any collegiate games has any questions, please contact Coordinator of Baseball Umpires, Tony Thompson by E-mail at, scollump@aol.com.

Best wishes for a peaceful and fulfilling holiday season and we look forward to seeing you in Atlanta.

/s/

Tony Thompson

Conference Hotel: Atlanta Marriott Marquis

265 Peachtree Center Avenue

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

404-521-0000

NCAA Room Rate - $139.00 + Tax (15%)

Valet Parking: $26.00 nightly, Vans and SUV’s: $32.00 nightly

Cut Off Date – December 19, 2008

Alternate Hotel: Sheraton Atlanta Hotel – Downtown

(3 blocks South of the Marriott Marquis)

165 Courtland Street, Atlanta, GA 30303

404-659-6500

Room Rate: King or Double: $105.00 + tax (15%)

Contact Person: Christine Thompson

Parking: Valet $24.00 nightly, Self Park $18.00

Refer to Reservations Group Name: Southern Umpires Group

Reservation web site link:

http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/umpires

Cut Off Date – December 30, 2008

[Umpire in Chief]

I wouldn't be able to do it for 2009, but I'll try for 2010. Most of the college level guys in our association go to Philadelphia.

[BrianC14]

Major:

Since I have a desire to join the college ranks, I looked into attending one of these clinics.

Before I went ahead and registered, though, (I'd have to travel some distance by flying... think $$$) I thought it wise to check with some of my high school colleagues who are also NCAA umpires.

The results (4 calls) were unanimous: These clinics are intended for NCAA umpires; a great deal of the meetings are conference-specific, and if you are not a member umpire of that particular conference, then it's likely that you won't be admitted to the conference meetings.

Now, a couple of them told me that the Breakout sessions are good, and that I be able to attend those, but there's no real "field clinic" type environment at these meetings - there's nothing like what a plate or field mechanics clinic would be doing (actual field mechanics work, or plate work in a cage), it's more of a chalk-talk sort of thing, where they discuss various changes to rules, mechanics, etc. Then there's usually some coverage of situations.

Anyway, I was advised not to attend, (that advice saved me over $500 for flight & hotel) but instead to contact our local Director of Umpires (which I did) and he was helpful about how to get started in college work... this of course may vary based on where one lives, but in my area the method is to start working some off-season games (JC, summer college leagues) and hope (or perhaps arrange) for the Director to see you work. After that the Director will consider you for games. Again, that's how things proceed where I live - another area may have a different procedure.

Edited December 18, 2008 by BrianC14

[Majordave]

Warren: You are correct the east coast guys work for Nick Zibelli and the clinic for that region is in Philly this year.

You are sort of like me in the respect that you live on the edge of two regions. I understand you work mostly in VA and most of those guys work for Nick. The North Carolina schools (most of them are in the Southeast and those guys work for Tony Thompson.

My local college association, Southeast Independent Umpires Association (SIUA) is headquartered in Louisville. We work the non-conference games for most D-1 schools in KY(All but Western Kentucky and Murray State) and I think we work all of the D-2's in conjunction with the CBUA (the midwest region where Rich Fetchiet is the coordinator). I am also a member of the CBUA so I can work the D-2 and D-3 games assigned by that group (at least I am eligible this year-I have yet to get my schedule at this point). We also work a number of other D-3 schools and NAIA schools in Kentucky other than the Mid-South Conference (an independent NAIA group consisting of mostly guys I work Central Kentucky High School games with makes up that organization).

Brian: Your facts are similar to mine in regard to how it works for entry. I went to a college camp in fall 2007 at Austin Peay University in Clarksville, TN called the Music City Umpires Camp. The camp was reviewed by me on this website. Before the camp I had been introduced to one of our board members, a former Professional Umpire now working conference games in the SEC and ACC-he got his first Super-Regional assignment this year, Jay Asher. Jay sent me the camp info and I went. After the camp, Jay and some other guys in SIUA invited me to work some college scrimmages at NAIA, D-3 and finally D-1 level. I guess I did okay and was invited to join SIUA. The first year, 2008, I was only assigned some NAIA non-conference games at first (most of which got cancelled due to weather). Then I picked up part of a D-2 conference series at Kentucky State that had been rescheduled due to weather (I was available-they started play at 9:00 AM on a Tuesday-remember I teach and we were on spring break). I finally got assigned an NAIA conference double header late in the season. Total of about 20 games assigned originally and I worked ten or twelve of them.

I asked if I could attend the 2008 Atlanta NCAA clinic and was told it would not hurt me but it would not be required until I was a conference umpire. As Tony Thompson said in his letter, it is encouraged for umpire development. I know stand and deliver/on-the-field training is usually the best but the training I got from this clinic was OUTSTANDING. (without having to stand). I am a visual and aural learner primarily and it worked for me. They had videos, powerpoints and lots of discussions and QandA with many of the umpires actually depicted in the videos. They miked the 2007 CWS umpires and recorded them for training purposes. We heard the arguments and calls, of note was one between Dave Buck and The old man Rice Coach (I forgot his name) about a balk call from first and another balk call argument between Arizona State's coach and Buck again.

I learned alot about how these guys think and handle situations. That is what gets you to that level once you are a good balls and strikes man and can consistently demonstrate good judgment, timing and positioning -the way you handle situations and people.

So, yes it is expensive. No, it will not guarantee that you get any college games. In my case not too many games last year and no guarantee for this year but at least the powers-that-be know I am serious. I met almost all of the board members of my local association, I renewed my acquaintances with current conference umpires in the SEC/ACC/Atlantic Sun/OVC/Big South, etc. conferences at the Atlanta Conference last year. I met some other guys that I have now seen work on TV during the NCAA tourney last year. The guy I want to work for, Tony Thompson, has seen my face a few times (he was at the Austin Peay Camp in 2007, the Middle Tennessee State camp in 2008 and I went to his International Umpires camp this fall.) You cannot say that I am not trying. I drive so it doesn't cost me that much. I don't get to go to the Conference meetings but I still hang around in the hall and lobby and meet people. Last year during Breakfast I had a conversation with Dave Yeast about the training I received the day before. I told him the video situations helped me tremendously. Last year they sold a DVD/CD of the conference videos and powerpoints. I bought it and shared some of it with my high school association to train newer umpires in situations. We can always get better, in my opinion. I learn more from teaching someone else a new skill.

In summary, it helped me in many ways both tangible and intangible in my quest to make it to my goal-An NCAA D-1 Conference Umpire in the SEC and ACC. (I have also decided that I would not mind being a Big-East or Big 10 umpire either but I have not yet worked anything in Rich Fetcheit's arena. Hoping to work some D-2 Great Lakes Valley Conference and D-3 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference this year.)

I know it is a regional thing but I cannot help but believe that anyone who can afford it would benefit in some way. If you have not yet associated with a college umpiring group then it is probably best to wait. I am merely trying to help.

[BrianC14]

Major,

I appreciate the feedback - hopefully I didn't come across as correcting what you'd earlier said, that wasn't my intent at all.

100% agreement on attending the clinics being helpful, though. As was pointed out to me, once an umpire has already begun to work college games (just like in your situation) then the clinics will become beneficial.

Another thing pointed out to me was that attendance at these clinics are never "required" (wink, wink) but if conference umpire doesn't attend, then he can expect to receive fewer games. So I've been told, anyway.

Bottom line is that the 'wannabe' college umpire should look to get the door open first, and then get himself to one of these clinics.

Thanks again for the reply and the background information - all very helpful to hear from someone who's been there and done that. Best of luck to you in your future assignments! :GL:

[UmpJM]

Brian,

It has been suggested to me by some of the "Big Dogs" in my association, who actually work NCAA D1 games, that attending these conferences is actually a part of the process of "getting the door open".

I'm planning to attend the Chicago session, but it's close enough to where I live that I don't have to fly or get a hotel. Given the state of the economy (not to mention my "portfolio", such as it is) I am completely sympathetic to the financial concerns you raise.

JM

[BrianC14]

Brian,

It has been suggested to me by some of the "Big Dogs" in my association, who actually work NCAA D1 games, that attending these conferences is actually a part of the process of "getting the door open".

I'm planning to attend the Chicago session, but it's close enough to where I live that I don't have to fly or get a hotel. Given the state of the economy (not to mention my "portfolio", such as it is) I am completely sympathetic to the financial concerns you raise.

JM

You know, it has occurred to me that I may be talking to the wrong guys here locally....

I've got a few D1 contacts who work a clinic here in my area (but they all live in other areas of the country) - - I might just get in touch with a couple of them to get their input.

I doubt that I'd try to attend one for this January, but I might just give it another go for 2010 - and hopefully by then I'll have worked some college - level games (there's a summer collegiate league here that I hope to get assigned to) and that will certainly help in the resumé department.

What I'd like to avoid (later on) is hearing, "Gee, if you had attended one of the NCAA clinics prior to this, we'd know more about you by now....maybe you should think about going next year." :GL:

[LMSANS]

You know, it has occurred to me that I may be talking to the wrong guys here locally....

I've got a few D1 contacts who work a clinic here in my area (but they all live in other areas of the country) - - I might just get in touch with a couple of them to get their input.

I doubt that I'd try to attend one for this January, but I might just give it another go for 2010 - and hopefully by then I'll have worked some college - level games (there's a summer collegiate league here that I hope to get assigned to) and that will certainly help in the resumé department.

What I'd like to avoid (later on) is hearing, "Gee, if you had attended one of the NCAA clinics prior to this, we'd know more about you by now....maybe you should think about going next year."

That's what I heard after not being accepted. And being told I had potential, but needed more clinic time.

[Majordave]

sounds like the Army. Get one story or piece of advice one place and then a different bit of advice or story from another.

Sounds like Brian is getting a little bit of less than complete advice, too but it may be the region he works in.

Brian, you aren't asking guys you might be competing with for jobs are you? Some people are very territorial when it comes to assignments.

I am an umpire junkie- gear, meetings, internet fourms, DVD's, camps, rule books, training materials. I have a problem, I guess. I cannot get enough.

Anyway, hope you can afford to go to a clinic THIS year and then they won't be able to tell you that next fall if you try again.

[BrianC14]

sounds like the Army. Get one story or piece of advice one place and then a different bit of advice or story from another.

And the Navy.

Sounds like Brian is getting a little bit of less than complete advice, too but it may be the region he works in.

Brian, you aren't asking guys you might be competing with for jobs are you? Some people are very territorial when it comes to assignments.

You nailed it. That's why I'll approach some of the other guys.

I am an umpire junkie- gear, meetings, internet fourms, DVD's, camps, rule books, training materials. I have a problem, I guess. I cannot get enough.

Anyway, hope you can afford to go to a clinic THIS year and then they won't be able to tell you that next fall if you try again.

It's probably too close at this point (San Diego) but I may take a peek at the Chicago one.... I might figure a way to include the wife & daughter along, since she has family there. We'll see... like you, I'm a junkie... my last game was nearly 2 months ago, and I'm ready to get going again.

Thanks,

[Majordave]

I took the whole family last year (it was my wife's birthday that weekend). They went shopping while I got my umpire schwerve on. We went to dinner that evening as a family and the place we chose had a lot of less than athletic looking guys with umpire looking logos on their shirts but I did not recognize any of them from the NCAA clinic that day. Later I oveheard them getting louder and displaying PDM (Public Display of Mechanics) and then heard them tell the waitress that they were NCAA softball umpires staying at the Hilton (next door to the Marriott where we baseball umpires were). What a bunch of slobs

Anyway, I am going to Chicago for a CBUA association meeting on Sunday morning so I might not go up until SaturDAY and save a night of hotel.

[BrianC14]

Major,

I just completed one of my alternative telephone calls.

Boy, were you ever right! The response I got from the guy I called (area director) was 180 out from the "worker bees" at that level.

You provided some sage advice, thanks very much. I'm going to look again at attending either SD or Chicago.

Best,