First Clinic

[Jeff C.]

First of all, if this is in the wrong area, I apologize. I didn't know where else to place this thread. Now, on 2/27/09 I'm attending my first clinic in Livonia, Mi. I'm nervous, excited and just about anything else you could say to describe it. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should or should not say or do? I can give a review of the clinic when I'm finished. Thanks guys.

[BT_Blue]

Best recommendation would to be to keep your mouth shut and your ears and eyes open. Soak in everything they are going to tell you. Give it a try. If you like how it feels, then incorporate that into your game. If not then maybe they have some suggestions.

Also if you do have a question. Keep it short and for gods sakes please do not include "war stories" in it unless it is needed to support the question.

Most of all, to repeat what I said earlier. Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut. Take in what they tell you and use it. Also a lot of times, they will tell you what your evaluators, conference, league, etc. want from their umpires and that will help you move up the ranks quicker.

[mstaylor]

Pay attention, try to do what they ask, even if you don't think it works for you. Don't be the smartass trying to trip up the instructor, I had that yesterday, one camper that wanted to argue every thing I said.

[BT_Blue]

Ive never been an instructor but I have been at clinics where people have done that and it really takes away from the learning process.

[mstaylor]

There's always one and most guys will figure out quick who it is. They will gang up up and make him look bad whever possible. It was funny because our lead cage instructors just came back from Evans' 5 week, so he was really intuned to the dead ball thing. We had several burials on dead ball calls. Our lead field instructor is a Harry grad.

[Jeff C.]

Thanks BT and Michael. The part about keeping one's mouth shut and eyes and ears open is one I will definitely follow. I have been in other classes before where someone with more "experience" is arguing with the instructor and it makes me uncomfortable at best. I will definitely be trying the tips and advice I'm given.

[mstaylor]

Don't be afraid to ask questions for clarifications sake, just don't try to show up the instructor. Also, stay away from third world what ifs.

[UmpJM]

Stockbridge,

I concur with mstaylor. It's OK to ask a question if you don't understand something that's being covered.

You just want to stay away from questions intended to "stump the instructor", show-off what you know, or the dreaded "what ifs" that really have nothing to do with the topic being covered.

Hustle, be on time to each session, and avoid "side conversations" while the instructors are speaking.

In between sessions, meet people. Oh, and have fun!

JM

[mstaylor]

Stockbridge,

I concur with mstaylor. It's OK to ask a question if you don't understand something that's being covered.

You just want to stay away from questions intended to "stump the instructor", show-off what you know, or the dreaded "what ifs" that really have nothing to do with the topic being covered.

Hustle, be on time to each session, and avoid "side conversations" while the instructors are speaking.

In between sessions, meet people. Oh, and have fun!

JM

Excellent advice. Clinics are a great way to make new friends and to network. Having fun is a must.

[Jeff C.]

THANKS TO ALL. It's all great advice. I plan on having fun and I will ask questions if I need clarification.

[PeteBooth]

First of all, if this is in the wrong area, I apologize. I didn't know where else to place this thread. Now, on 2/27/09 I'm attending my first clinic in Livonia, Mi. I'm nervous, excited and just about anything else you could say to describe it. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should or should not say or do? I can give a review of the clinic when I'm finished. Thanks guys.

We just had an all day Clinic this past Saturday by the umpires who instruct at the Jim Evans Flemington New Jersey facility. (Mandatory meeting from our association)

It's only one day but you learn a lot. In our association we also get a discount if we should attend the 3 day Course at Flemington or the 5 week PRO Umpire cource.

You received great advice but I will caution you on a few things.

1. REAL World - They teach how the 2 person mechanic SHOULD be done and is GREAT advice, however, you now have to go back to your association.

In your typical HS Umpire association you have those that truly want to learn and then you have those that are out for the money etc.

If you try and IMPOSE the methods you learned at Umpire camp it could be detrimental to your umpiring career in that particular association.

I am NOT saying do not try these methods but be careful. If you can get a few of you who are attending class EVENTUALLY as the OLD GUARD moves out you can start to instill these teachings and make your association better.

2. When you take the Rules test, BE CAREFUL of the ANSWERS.

Example: This past Saturday we took the rules test and found at least 2-4 answers that are different for HS (FED) rules then for OBR or College. This is ESPECIALLY true when they go over OBS. HS and PRO is COMPLETELY different. The PRO terminology for OBS is in the act of fielding. That language is no longer prevalent in amateur baseball which includes NCAA. Now if you do not have ACTUAL possession of the ball and hinder the runner it's OBS not necsssarily true for OBR if you judge the fielder to be in the act of fielding.

FPSR - Non Existent in OBR

The instructors teach the PRO interpretation so be careful. In talking with the instructors afterwards, they realize there are many many amateur umpires that attend their mini clinics and umpire at the HS level and they are working on the rules part.

All in All I strongly recommend it no matter how good you think you are. I learn something new every time I go. The problem as previously mentioned is getting our ENTIRE association to follow it so it becomes "second nature" but as they say Rome was not built in a day.

Pete Booth

Edited February 23, 2009 by PeteBooth