Mid-American Umpire Clinic Brochure

[Stk004]

Barely visible in the back corner haha. 

[GT25Ump]

Keep a look out for Korey Behr.  He's our association president and a newcomer to the Mid-American Clinic.  We're hoping that he can take in a ton of information and pass along his knowledge to our group.       

[MidAmUmp]

11 minutes ago, GT25Ump said:

Keep a look out for Korey Behr.  He's our association president and a newcomer to the Mid-American Clinic.  We're hoping that he can take in a ton of information and pass along his knowledge to our group.       

He fell asleep about an hour ago. But on a positive note, his check cleared the bank. 

[StrikeToWin]

I found me.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[kylehutson]

I had a conflict, but dangit I will be there next year.

[StrikeToWin]

It was an awesome clinic.  Truly enjoyed myself and learned that I don't know jack about umpiring.

[chadozee]

This is such a solid event.  I absolutely loved my experience and am so thankful to Jason and all the staff for the personal touch they give.  For those of you who weren't able to go, here's 3 "little" takeaways from my weekend that I thought my be helpful.  (I can't give away the big stuff....you've got to pay your money and show up for that...lol!)

1. Best Quote for Umpires aspiring to move up regardless of level.

           "When someone is trying to help make you better, just shut up and listen"  -  Jon Browar, MIAA Assigner

2. Best tip I had never heard at any camp before.

           "As a base umpire, while the infield is throwing the ball around before the first inning, go through the motions of getting in position to make a call at first.  That way    you are ready to go if there's a bang bang play on the first pitch of the game"  -  Rick Hammers, GLVC & MIAA Umpire

3. Best takeaway of the weekend.

             Just being reminded that umpiring really is a "brotherhood".  

If you missed it this year...don't let that happen next year!!

[JSam21]

The plan is to be there next year... change of jobs got me to where I had no time off.

[Stk004]

I learned that I have a lot to learn and practice in 2 man mechanics. 

[MidAmUmp]

17 minutes ago, Stk004 said:

I learned that I have a lot to learn and practice in 2 man mechanics. 

I learned that you did a good job this weekend and have a very bright future in umpiring. Thanks for skipping school!!!

[Stk004]

8 minutes ago, MidAmUmp said:

I learned that you did a good job this weekend and have a very bright future in umpiring. Thanks for skipping school!!!

You don't have to ask me twice 

[Ballgame]

3 hours ago, Stk004 said:

I learned that I have a lot to learn and practice in 2 man mechanics. 

I learned the same thing.  Such a great camp with top notch instructors. @MidAmUmp knocked it out of the park again!

[MObetterBlue]

From the opening video with Hunter Wendelstedt welcoming us to the clinic to the high level of excellence demonstrated by the instructors both in the classroom sessions and on field drills, this clinic far exceeded my expectations.  My brain still hurts from all the great information that was shared - but it's a good hurt.  Also a great opportunity to meet many other umpires who share our passion for umpiring.  The whole experience was more than worth the time and money invested.

[GreyhoundAggie]

Whenever I am asked about clinics to attend, I always recommend Jason's camp first. The quality of the clinic for the price and the great group of instructors and friends you meet is second to none. I have been able to meet many D1, D2, and former pro umpires and gain a great network of brothers in blue.

So glad all of you had great experiences as well.

[GT25Ump]

Just got my rundown from the local guy that attended. Sounded like he picked up alot of items, and that's great!    If a person has to come up with things that they'd like to have at the clinic, they would be the following:

RULES

Handling Situations

Don't get me wrong, the clinic provided a boatload of knowledge when it comes to 2-man rotations and assignments and responsibilities and such....and they took care of guys that were trying to move up into the college level.....but if I'm going to spend upwards of $500 and take at least two days off of work, I would hope that there could be more covered than just 2-man mechanics and and rotations and how I properly signal a strike or out.  Not saying that rules and/or handling situations (especially for all of those that are just getting into college ball) are a massive oversight...but I would hope that future attendees could get more for their money and time....in my opinion....there's so much more to umpiring than that!  And from what I understand, there was ample time to go over those sorts of things.  Just my .05 cents!

 

[JSam21]

9 hours ago, GT25Ump said:

Just got my rundown from the local guy that attended. Sounded like he picked up alot of items, and that's great!    If a person has to come up with things that they'd like to have at the clinic, they would be the following:

RULES

Handling Situations

Don't get me wrong, the clinic provided a boatload of knowledge when it comes to 2-man rotations and assignments and responsibilities and such....and they took care of guys that were trying to move up into the college level.....but if I'm going to spend upwards of $500 and take at least two days off of work, I would hope that there could be more covered than just 2-man mechanics and and rotations and how I properly signal a strike or out.  Not saying that rules and/or handling situations (especially for all of those that are just getting into college ball) are a massive oversight...but I would hope that future attendees could get more for their money and time....in my opinion....there's so much more to umpiring than that!  And from what I understand, there was ample time to go over those sorts of things.  Just my .05 cents!

 

How do you teach someone to handle situations, when different Associations, leagues, conferences, etc want them handled differently? I understand what you are saying, but in practice it isn't something that you can teach with a broad brush.

[JaxRolo]

10 hours ago, GT25Ump said:

Just got my rundown from the local guy that attended. Sounded like he picked up alot of items, and that's great!    If a person has to come up with things that they'd like to have at the clinic, they would be the following:

RULES

Handling Situations

Don't get me wrong, the clinic provided a boatload of knowledge when it comes to 2-man rotations and assignments and responsibilities and such....and they took care of guys that were trying to move up into the college level.....but if I'm going to spend upwards of $500 and take at least two days off of work, I would hope that there could be more covered than just 2-man mechanics and and rotations and how I properly signal a strike or out.  Not saying that rules and/or handling situations (especially for all of those that are just getting into college ball) are a massive oversight...but I would hope that future attendees could get more for their money and time....in my opinion....there's so much more to umpiring than that!  And from what I understand, there was ample time to go over those sorts of things.  Just my .05 cents!

 

In my humble opinion mechanics comes first. To much information for a weekend class can be confusing.

Here in Florida we have a 3 day class on handling situations.

It may seem that there is ample time but there is not in a weekend camp.

[GreyhoundAggie]

They covered some handling situations when I attended the last couple of years. I believe that if you have proper mechanics and have a better knowledge of where you need to be on the field for a call and making a better call, you will have less situations to handle, since many times they stem from poor positioning, bad mechanics, etc.

And it is difficult to cover rules since you have guys from LL all the way to college ball and there is a lot of different variations to the rules. The best way to learn the rules is pick up the rulebook and start asking questions. I know I wanted that clinic to improve my platework and my field positioning.

 

Not biting back against your post, everyone has different things they want out of a clinic and no clinic is perfect for everyone. Just offering my experience.

[MidAmUmp]

23 hours ago, GT25Ump said:

Just got my rundown from the local guy that attended. Sounded like he picked up alot of items, and that's great!    If a person has to come up with things that they'd like to have at the clinic, they would be the following:

RULES

Handling Situations

Don't get me wrong, the clinic provided a boatload of knowledge when it comes to 2-man rotations and assignments and responsibilities and such....and they took care of guys that were trying to move up into the college level.....but if I'm going to spend upwards of $500 and take at least two days off of work, I would hope that there could be more covered than just 2-man mechanics and and rotations and how I properly signal a strike or out.  Not saying that rules and/or handling situations (especially for all of those that are just getting into college ball) are a massive oversight...but I would hope that future attendees could get more for their money and time....in my opinion....there's so much more to umpiring than that!  And from what I understand, there was ample time to go over those sorts of things.  Just my .05 cents!

 

Sorry your local guy didn't get his money's worth. I could say more, but I won't. 

[Ballgame]

23 hours ago, GT25Ump said:

Just got my rundown from the local guy that attended. Sounded like he picked up alot of items, and that's great!    If a person has to come up with things that they'd like to have at the clinic, they would be the following:

RULES

Handling Situations

Don't get me wrong, the clinic provided a boatload of knowledge when it comes to 2-man rotations and assignments and responsibilities and such....and they took care of guys that were trying to move up into the college level.....but if I'm going to spend upwards of $500 and take at least two days off of work, I would hope that there could be more covered than just 2-man mechanics and and rotations and how I properly signal a strike or out.  Not saying that rules and/or handling situations (especially for all of those that are just getting into college ball) are a massive oversight...but I would hope that future attendees could get more for their money and time....in my opinion....there's so much more to umpiring than that!  And from what I understand, there was ample time to go over those sorts of things.  Just my .05 cents!

 

IMHO I will tell you that what a person takes away from a clinic is directly proportional to what they put in to it.  I do not know who your guy is, but I do know that I took a ton away.  In that setting you have to activley seek information.  There was no shortage of experts teaching at the clinic.  A guy could get as much or as little information as he wanted.

[Stk004]

27 minutes ago, Ballgame said:

IMHO I will tell you that what a person takes away from a clinic is directly proportional to what they put in to it.  I do not know who your guy is, but I do know that I took a ton away.  In that setting you have to activley seek information.  There was no shortage of experts teaching at the clinic.  A guy could get as much or as little information as he wanted.

I agree. Game management was covered, and I felt that the emphasis on 2-man mechanics was exceptional. Rules can honestly be studied on your own, and if you had a question about a rule any member of Jason's staff was more than happy to answer it, including Jason himself. 

[chadozee]

As far as I'm concerned it would be a far greater waste of my "MONEY" to spend class time working through rules that I am already given an entire book of each year.  Not to mention the "Case Book" that I have for supplemental instruction.  When I go to a camp/clinic, I need input on things that I can't do on my own.  That being said, there were several rules that were covered during the 2-man mechanics discussion.  

And to add to Stk004's comment, not only would Jason and his staff be willing to answer any question you had during the weekend, they are STILL willing to answer questions.  If I had a situation come up in my Double Header today and I wanted to ask someone about it, I know I could contact those guys and they'd be right there to help me out.  And by me, I don't mean just me...I mean anyone who wants to get better. 

And to add to ballgame's comment...it is often up to the person attending the clinic to engage to get better.  During games on Saturday for instance there was an assigner/evaluator sitting with a group of about 7 of us watching the umpires on the field.  We started asking questions and the information that was given to us was invaluable.  You get out what you put in.

[Stk004]

1 hour ago, chadozee said:

As far as I'm concerned it would be a far greater waste of my "MONEY" to spend class time working through rules that I am already given an entire book of each year.  Not to mention the "Case Book" that I have for supplemental instruction.  When I go to a camp/clinic, I need input on things that I can't do on my own.  That being said, there were several rules that were covered during the 2-man mechanics discussion.  

And to add to Stk004's comment, not only would Jason and his staff be willing to answer any question you had during the weekend, they are STILL willing to answer questions.  If I had a situation come up in my Double Header today and I wanted to ask someone about it, I know I could contact those guys and they'd be right there to help me out.  And by me, I don't mean just me...I mean anyone who wants to get better. 

And to add to ballgame's comment...it is often up to the person attending the clinic to engage to get better.  During games on Saturday for instance there was an assigner/evaluator sitting with a group of about 7 of us watching the umpires on the field.  We started asking questions and the information that was given to us was invaluable.  You get out what you put in.

I had later assignments sunday, so I spent the earlier parts of the day up in the pressbox with the evaluators as well. 

[StrikeToWin]

I felt like sitting there talking with the evaluators was very educational, almost as much or more as the actual game experience we received.  Just having someone give you feedback on your live games was invaluable and doesn't happen at our level very often.  Definitely worth the time and money invested in the weekend.