Hello From California!

[umpirecordova]

Hello fellow umpires,

My name is Erick Cordova and I am from Elk Grove, CA and I have been umpiring for the past four years. I mostly do the local Cal Ripken leauge in my area but I have also done many USSSA tournments. I had the honor of working some of the Northern California Cal Ripken state tournaments last year at the 10 and 12 year old division, Also I worked in the Fall Desert Classic tournment in Las Vegas last November after working less than a year with in the two-man system. I am currently 18 and I will be attending the Jim Evans Academy next January for the professional camp and If anyone has attended or is attend the camp soon and have any advice I would greatly appreciate to hear any of it. I plan to be on here alot with questions, situations, and equipment reviews. Thank you for your time.

Erick Cordova

EGUA #13

[mstaylor]

When you go to school always be early. Nothing makes a worse impression that being late. Don't be afraid to ask questions but don't be a smart aleck or a pest. You will need your ow equipment and you can learn more about that here. Be in shape when you go, it is similar to boot camp but in a different way. There are long hard days filled with rules classes and drills. When you done you go back to the room and drill by yourself.

It is a good time because you are learning but it is very pysically taxing.

[umpirecordova]

Thank you Michael,

Did you go yourself and if you did what year did you go? Also are there any big DON'Ts that you should try to avoid at all costs?

[mstaylor]

I have not but I have attended many clinics that were taught by grads from both schools and some instructors that were also current instructors at the schools. We have three grads from pro school including one from Evans this past year. I have been either a student or an instructor at clinics where guys have spent their time questioning what was being taught, trying to show up an instructor or playing what-ifs. To me, you go to a school or clinic to learn, not show off about how much you know.

[umpirecordova]

Alright thank you very much

very informative

[daled]

Welcome aboard. I wish that I had attended one of those academies when I was 18 or 19 years old. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[jim knight]

I have been... you may hate this advise but the best thing you can do is STOP umpiring... yes STOP. Do not learn the bad habits by working in any system that is not taught at the School. You will have very little chance of learning the system if you think you already know parts of it.... hang up your stuff and work on getting ready for the school. Work out, run, lift and by all means do not umpire any level of baseball.

Do not take any umpire advise from anyone that is not on the staff at the school.

If you really want to do well listen and learn but only to the instructors while you are at school.... DO NOT UMPIRE before you go.

Good luck.

[Umpire in Chief]

I have been... you may hate this advise but the best thing you can do is STOP umpiring... yes STOP. Do not learn the bad habits by working in any system that is not taught at the School. You will have very little chance of learning the system if you think you already know parts of it.... hang up your stuff and work on getting ready for the school. Work out, run, lift and by all means do not umpire any level of baseball.

Do not take any umpire advise from anyone that is not on the staff at the school.

If you really want to do well listen and learn but only to the instructors while you are at school.... DO NOT UMPIRE before you go.

Good luck.

I've heard similar advice too...

[umpirecordova]

I have been... you may hate this advise but the best thing you can do is STOP umpiring... yes STOP. Do not learn the bad habits by working in any system that is not taught at the School. You will have very little chance of learning the system if you think you already know parts of it.... hang up your stuff and work on getting ready for the school. Work out, run, lift and by all means do not umpire any level of baseball.

Do not take any umpire advise from anyone that is not on the staff at the school.

If you really want to do well listen and learn but only to the instructors while you are at school.... DO NOT UMPIRE before you go.

Good luck.

Thank you for the advice and I too have heard this also. I know someone who went through it twice and he told me to do the same thing I think it worked for him becuase he is currently and umpire for the California leauge and I talk to him reagularly so i thank you for the adive and I think I will hang it up intill the camp.

But I wonder if you recommend any books or videos that are good for watching such as Jim Evans books and videos. Also should I be reading my rulebook or should I just wait till the camp and learn what they teach us there? Thank you for all your advice

[jim knight]

Erick... not a bad idea to be a little farmilier with the rule book but NOT the rules... be careful that you dont think you understand any of the rules. You will be taught how to approach the rule book at camp.

Again.... the best advise I can give you is DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYONE.

Even at camp pay no attention to anyone but the instructors.

Work out / be in shape / if you really want to do well.... listen to no one and do not umpire.

Sounds nuts but it will help. If you are selected, work hard every time you are on the field... no exceptions / good luck.

oh yea.... Id advise you to stay away from these web sites... nuts uh?

[umpirecordova]

Thank you Jim,

I will take you up on that advice because im looking to do very well there so i guess im going hang it up and just clear my slate until i get there. and I guess ill start working out and getting in shape.

Crazy to think that this is the only part of baseball where practice IS NOT a good thing.

[LMSANS]

Thank you Jim,

I will take you up on that advice because im looking to do very well there so i guess im going hang it up and just clear my slate until i get there. and I guess ill start working out and getting in shape.

Crazy to think that this is the only part of baseball where practice IS NOT a good thing.

Practice is a good thing...as long as you are practicing right.

[umpirecordova]

True, but intill I can learn the right way i don't know what to do.

[mstaylor]

Jim's advice is like going to boot camp. They will teach you how to shoot a rifle but their way. You may be a crack shot at hunting but your methods may be completely different. I know guys from both schools and even though you will be doing the same mechanics when you come out, how you get there is very different.

[umpirecordova]

Well I cant wait to get out there and learn how to do it their way

[umpstu]

Went through school in 1996. Had one year under my belt and had even umpired at the college level. Have your mind like a blank slate and listen to everything your instructors tell you, especially Jim Evans. I have had the priveledge of speaking with him on a few occasions and he is a very good man. Good luck to you.