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The Umpire's Call |  |
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Greetings Fellow Umpires and Coaches! Welcome to year two of The Umpire's Call, a monthly (January - May) eNewsletter for amateur baseball umpires, coaches, and those interested in becoming baseball umpires. For those who are receiving The Umpire's Call for the first time - welcome! To our veteran readers - welcome back! The Umpire's Call is a light look at all levels of baseball umpiring, youth league through college, placing emphasis on recruitment of new umpires, early preparation for the upcoming season, and education and training for all.
Our Mission:
Only a year ago I sat quite nervously (scared) at the keyboard wondering if my idea of a newsletter for amateur and aspiring baseball umpires would be good enough to share, and how would my umpiring colleagues would accept it. My questions were answered quite quickly as the response to The Umpire's Call was unexpectedly gratifying. I received literally hundreds of emails from old friends, old enemies, new readers, and more importantly new umpires who appreciated the organized and useful information. Our readership is approaching 5,000 email addresses from not only from the U.S., but from Europe and Australia as well. I have had many offers to post commercial and marketing information in the newsletter, but I prefer to keep it simple and focused, and best of all - free!
As a baseball coach spring practice was a welcome change - winter was leaving and more daylight was on the way. Still weeks of indoor work loomed ahead, and practices turned to drudgery only after a few weeks. One item that motivated players was competition involving knowledge of the rules and administration of the game. Nothing too deep, yet maybe we could manufacture a run, take an extra base, cause a balk, impress an umpire, or even win a game by being just a little better prepared than our competition. I encourage college and high school coaches to call upon umpires in your area to meet with and speak to your teams about baseball and the game. Umpires I encourage you to make yourselves available to local schools and programs for such a presentation. Topics could include rule changes, equipment, strike zones, base running, pick-offs, sliding, balks, interference, obstruction, infield fly rule, batting out of order, developing a game relationship with umpires - the list is never - ending, but if you do run out of topics, give me a call! What a great way to get to know the players (and they you), promote sportsmanship, cooperation, and prepare for the upcoming season.
Registering with your state high school athletic association is your first step. Links to state high school associations in all 50 states and DC are available at the link below. Take time to learn and review qualifications and costs to become an umpire in your state. All ages and abilities are welcome and some states license umpires who are still in high school and reduce the registration fees as well!
Official Baseball Rules (OBR) - used by members of the American and National League of Professional Baseball Clubs and Minor League Baseball. Rules are available online and copies of OBR rulebook may be purchased from Amazon.com National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Baseball Rules used by NCAA member schools in all divisions. Rules, 2005 rule changes, editorial changes, points of emphasis, and 2005 baseball umpire rules test are available online and rulebooks may be purchased from the NCAA baseball website. National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Baseball Rules (NAIA) - used by NAIA member schools and are OBR with modifications and are available online. National Federation of State High School Associations Baseball Rules (NFHS) - commonly called "The Federation Rules" are used by U.S. high schools. 2005 rule changes, editorial changes, and points of emphasis are available online and rulebooks may be purchased form the NFHS website.
Two sites with five separate educational items loaded with information
CCA (Collegiate Commissioners Assn.) Baseball
Umpires Manual 2005
The Official Mechanics Manual for College Baseball
Rules of Baseball.com
The Umpires Call would like to acknowledge umpires attending professional umpire schools in Florida during January and February. Please email names, hometowns, and school attended of those you know who are trying to get a job in professional baseball, or looking to greatly improve their skills.
Does your umpire association or local youth baseball
league experience any of the following problems? Designed for young umpires as well as veterans,Youth Baseball Umpire Clinics, a division of USJT, is in its 5th year of educating baseball umpires with a comprehensive "HANDS ON" format. NOT "sit and listen, take notes, watch a video" instruction - YBUC participants come dressed for activity and take an active part in learning pre-game responsibilities, consistent umpiring techniques, on field positioning, and proper game administration.
As always, your feedback, announcements,
suggestions, and
questions are
welcome, even the dissenters get a shot! I do want
to hear form you. If you have digital pictures or clip
art, I'd love to publish them. Scott |
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