Little League Umpire Registry for 2013

[Dannytheman]

The Little League Umpire Registry for 2013 is now available for renewals or new members. How many members do we have here?

http://www.littleleague.org/umpires/UmpRegistry.htm

Whether you are new to Little League umpiring or a long time veteran, the Umpire Registry is here to help you become a better volunteer umpire. The following is what you will receive with your membership:

• A copy Little League Baseball and Softball Rule Books in print and available for download
  
• A copy of The Umpire in Little League
  
• A copy of Little League's The Right Call
  
• An official Little League Registry Identification Card
  
• A Little League Umpire Registry Certificate
  
• An Umpire Patch
  
• An Official Little League Bat Ring
  
• A Subscription to The Umpire Registry Online Newsletter, Fair Ball
  
• A listing in the Little League Registry of Umpires
  
• Passcode to the Little League Umpire Registry Members Only website to access training materials and member only content.
  

[Jocko]

Not I :TD:

[mstaylor]

I will probably join again. I was a member for years but haven't for the last couple.

[Dannytheman]

I've been sending ideas for articles to them all year, have not even received a return kiss my ass response.

I sure would like to help them keep up enthusiasm.

[mjr_2013]

When I have a couple extra bucks I'll join the registry... This will be my 2nd year joining.

[Dannytheman]

When I have a couple extra bucks I'll join the registry... This will be my 2nd year joining.

I'd love to know what you think. Share some ideas on making it better!

[T-Rav]

I think this is honestly a joke, I have never joined and will never join. I have volunteered as a LL umpire for 5 years and I some of LL's policies flat out ridiculous, this would be one of them. If they want better umpires then they shouldn't charge the volunteers for having access to materials that will help an umpire improve. LL gets plenty of money from their lucrative tv deals and seem to not place an emphasis on improving their volunteer umpires, which providing free access to these materials would do. *I have been to the LL SE Regional School and LL SE Umpire Camps*

I can and will certainly find $25 on something more beneficial to my umpiring career, like putting that money to insurance.

[JaxRolo]

I agree it's not nice to make volunteers pay!

[Dannytheman]

OK, I can understand how some of you feel. I don't think of 25 dollars as to much for what I get out of it. 2 bucks a month, 50 cents a week. When I was working games for cash I was making 45 to 55 a game. I also supply my own gear, my own uniform and my own transportation to and from. So you are OK with buying pants, shirts and hats that run over 100 dollars, Add shoes for another 100, but 25 a year to get direct LL info is not bad.

Do you expect them to pay for your uniforms, too?

[T-Rav]

OK, I can understand how some of you feel. I don't think of 25 dollars as to much for what I get out of it. 2 bucks a month, 50 cents a week. When I was working games for cash I was making 45 to 55 a game. I also supply my own gear, my own uniform and my own transportation to and from. So you are OK with buying pants, shirts and hats that run over 100 dollars, Add shoes for another 100, but 25 a year to get direct LL info is not bad.

Do you expect them to pay for your uniforms, too?

All I am saying is charging $25 a year for access is shutting the door to most LL volunteer whom would benefit greatly from such a resource.

All of the leagues I have worked at that use volunteer umpires, at the very least have provided umpire shirts.

[mstaylor]

Many leagues pay the cost of the Registry. All youth organizations I know of have a registration fee for their group. BR, Pony, LL and I assume Dixie have them. LL is the only one that has actual schools set up to train their umpires. He asked who was planning on joining and how to make the Registry better. He didn't ask for everybody to shots at LL. I have been involved with LL as an umpire since 1975. LL sends enough rulebooks out to give umpires rulebooks, most leagues do not do this. The only ones I got were when I went to them and asked. By joining the Registry I get my copies without a hassle, I get access to the RIM. I don't see the why this is horrible.

I

[Dannytheman]

OK, I can understand how some of you feel. I don't think of 25 dollars as to much for what I get out of it. 2 bucks a month, 50 cents a week. When I was working games for cash I was making 45 to 55 a game. I also supply my own gear, my own uniform and my own transportation to and from. So you are OK with buying pants, shirts and hats that run over 100 dollars, Add shoes for another 100, but 25 a year to get direct LL info is not bad.

Do you expect them to pay for your uniforms, too?

All I am saying is charging $25 a year for access is shutting the door to most LL volunteer whom would benefit greatly from such a resource.

All of the leagues I have worked at that use volunteer umpires, at the very least have provided umpire shirts.

My home league gives Shirts and a LL Umpire combo hat to all "certified" Umpires. (I am the certifier) IF they attend a weekend clinic they get more. Williamsport is only 3 hours away and the league will reimburse them the 85 dollars and offers 2 times a year to attend. When I worked for Tri County umpires, I paid 100 dollars a year to the assignor, and had to attend EVERY year his classes,

I think it is important for me to be a member of the Registry as UIC of our league, and to offer it as an option to the many volunteers who might want to learn more. Seriously, we are talking 25 dollars a year, is that really a gating problem? RIM? E Mail rule book? I will get my rule book earlier than every one else to boot.

Now thanks for the negative, anyone have anything I can send to make it better? Other than mentioning I know some cheapskates on this board? :meditation:

[clawdad]

I am the UIC for our local LL, and joined the registry for the first time this year. I didn't have an issue paying the $25. I like having the rules available electronically. I guess i sort of consider it a donation to our local league, in a way.

That said, maybe they could give registry members a discount on LL schools/clinics. (I think they should also include registry membership with enrollment in a clinic/school.) BTW, I will be attending the March 16/17 clinic at LLHQ.

They could raise the registry price a little and offer a shirt and/or combo hat. Maybe a discount/gift certificate for Ump-Attire or Honigs. Even an indicator would be nice. I don't think it would break the bank, and may get a bit more participation.

Just my .02

[Dannytheman]

I am the UIC for our local LL, and joined the registry for the first time this year. I didn't have an issue paying the $25. I like having the rules available electronically. I guess i sort of consider it a donation to our local league, in a way.

That said, maybe they could give registry members a discount on LL schools/clinics. (I think they should also include registry membership with enrollment in a clinic/school.) BTW, I will be attending the March 16/17 clinic at LLHQ.

They could raise the registry price a little and offer a shirt and/or combo hat. Maybe a discount/gift certificate for Ump-Attire or Honigs. Even an indicator would be nice. I don't think it would break the bank, and may get a bit more participation.

Just my .02

Thank you, this was great feedback and excellent list of ideas, which I emphasized above. I will communicate those ideas best I can if you don't mind. I will mention that it was submitted.

My League does pay the 85 dollars for the clinics to people who want to. I am not sure if I will be attending in March but I am hoping to have some folks there. They would probably pay my yearly Registry payment, too. I have never asked, and like you, I consider it my way of giving back.

You will like the clinic in Williamsport, the food is great. Show up Friday night and get to talk baseball late into the evening with like minded individuals.

[clawdad]

Danny-

Feel free to pass it along. Anything that could increase participation would be great. Our league isn't rich by any means, but they would probably pay for the Clinic/Registry if I asked. I would rather they take that money and invest in new/better equipment for the umpires, players, field maintenance, etc.

Our district does have a 1 day clinic, which our local league pays for. It is usually held the Saturday prior to opening day. First part of the day is rules, appearance, and game management. Then mechanics on the field. Last year was tough to get on the field because of rain almost every weekend. It gave our new volunteers at least a little knowledge base so they would not be completely overwhelmed during games. Two of the new umpires rode with me, and were surprised at some of the rule myths they had believed were true all these years. They said they are looking forward to this year so they can get on the field to learn more.

With the registration fee we get lunch, a rulebook, LL patch, and a flex fit combo hat with our district name embroidered on it. Not a bad deal for a really low cost ( I think it was like $10 per person).

[MattInVa]

Do they give you access to the updated RIM when you join the registry?

Does it add any explanation on the new exception at VI-(d)?

[BT_Blue]

This will be my first year in a very long time umpiring LL. I decided I wanted to so that I could get involved with my local league so when my wife and I finally have kids, this will be the league they play for. (Also they control 50% of the only all turf field on this side of the Columbia River). I was wondering how much do they charge for the regional schools? Always have heard great things about them and think it would be really cool to go.

[basejester]

This will be my first year in a very long time umpiring LL. I decided I wanted to so that I could get involved with my local league so when my wife and I finally have kids, this will be the league they play for. (Also they control 50% of the only all turf field on this side of the Columbia River). I was wondering how much do they charge for the regional schools? Always have heard great things about them and think it would be really cool to go.

Central Region's 5-day umpire school is $199 including food, which seems like a steal. I'm hoping to attend this year

http://www.eteamz.com/llbcentral/files/2013UmpireSchoolBrochure.pdf

[BT_Blue]

What about the western region?

[NFUA_44]

BT;

PM kylejt, he has quite a good contact list of folks at the WR HQ.  Semper is another one in that area who I believe could provide you with detailed info about WR.

 

We are fortunate in the Southern Region to have a great staff and some awesome training including the school, and I believe if you do some digging you will find that the Western Region is often considered LL's crown jewel.  I believe most of their regional area's have a solid reputation and great training programs.

[BT_Blue]

Thanks. I was thinking more along the lines of the NW region. They have a clinic every year in Corvallis, OR I think. That would be much closer to me then San Bernadino.

[JonnyCat]

Western Region offers one week school sessions in San Bernardino, CA. The information taught is right out of the Jim Evans Academy. Jim donates all of the materials. The cost is about $300.00 which includes room and 3 meals a day. You stay for the week in the dorms, but some opt for a hotel room off site. I can tell you for the training received and the cost, this is one of the best schools you can attend. It is basically 5 weeks of pro school condensed into one week. There are usually around 60 students and you get plenty of cage work, camp games, drills, and classroom work. The days are long, but you learn a lot! Check it out at http://www.eteamz.com/llbwest/

I've been to this one and the Wendelstedt 2 week school in Florida, and both offer almost the same instruction.

 

BT, they have info about the Outreach Clinic in Corvalis as well. I think that is just a one day clinic, though.

[BT_Blue]

I was just looking at that site earlier today. Looks and sound like fun. Put this on my list of things to do along with the full week long BBUC clinic in Sacramento, going back to CDP at some point, oh... and attending a full month long pro school. SWMBO is going to kill me. LOL

[JonnyCat]

The BBUC clinic sounds interesting. Might have to put that one on my list. I'm in So Cal, so Sacramento is not that far away. I'm too old and ugly for the 5 week pro-school, that's why I only did the 2 week. LOL!

[BT_Blue]

I attended the weekend BBUC clinic in Redding last September and found it to be quite informative and entertaining. I too am to old (read also out of shape) to attend a pro school... but that doesn't mean I do not want to go.