Its over!!

Well it a case of been there done that! Yes I have finished the 5 week Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring.

The five weeks of hard work was celebrated by all last night at the graduation dinner. Many students brought along family and friends to celebrate their achievements. Special guest for the evening was Joe West (MLB Umpire) and Jim's daughter Lindsay.

The celebrations may have been last night, but the real tension for many was this morning when evaluation were undertaken, and those told that are being given the opportunity to go to Coco Beach for the PBUC evaluation process and the chance at a professional career.

I am not aware of all the people that have been given this opportunity, but have heard of about 10 so far. A big congratulations to all, especially my Spanish speaking friends - Ramon, Robert and Carlos!

To those that have not made it, many of you are young and believe they have what it takes, ensure that you take the lessons learned during the past 5 weeks, go and get some experience and give it another shot. But also remember that so long as you can look yourself in the mirror and know that you have done your best, this is all that matters.

For me I was please with my evaluation, I did well with theory tests, I built on my field work over the duration of the course - which is what my expectations where before I came here. It was never going to be about getting a job in Professional baseball for me, but to make myself a better umpire and obtain the information I need to be able to assist to promote and train umpires at home.

One comment on my evaluation was that I need to be less tolerant with irate managers and toss people a little quicker. I explained that it is totally different at home, bad behaviour by players and managers is just not tolerated in Oz, but at the same time it is about respect on the field and building repor with our managers.

By the way I am pleased to say that my cage group got the award for Test scores - well done team - Dustin, Matt, David and Norm!

Sorry I forgot to post this one, now in LA on my way home. Will do some summary posts over the next week.

My thoughts are with all my fellow Victorians as they battle with horrific bushfire's across the state, which has claimed the lives of so many Innocent people.

Bottom of the ninth!!!

Well it Friday 6th of February and I cannot believe that this fantastic experience is almost over. The theory is over, the drills are over, and the last camp game has been run. Tomorrow is a late start and an early finish, but we go out with a big bang at the Graduation dinner tomorrow night.

But the tension will still be in the air with most being very disappointed on Sunday morning when they are informed that they did not make the cut for PBUC and the chance to become a Pro Umpire. For some they will go off and work in independent leagues, high school or college ball, then some will return next year to go through it all again to give it another go.

With 100 students you are always going to get a wide variety of people, there is people here from 10+ countries, from people that have done independent and semi pro ball, to those that have never umpired a game and everything in between. There was a very embrassed Fiona in the class this morning when Edwin from Puerto Rico, pleasded with me to go home with him in front of the whole class!! But I can tell you that the apart from the language and cultural differences, the personalities and backgrounds of these people also varied.

Yesterday was 3 camp games...fortunate or not I was not scheduled. But it is still good to be able to sit on the side lines and watch the plays and run through what you think you would have done on each play. Today we listened to each of the foreign students on the umpiring experience, what they do for jobs etc. Yes I was asked to getup and talk about my experiences. we then headed outside for a camp game - which was to be the final. After lunch we did a bit of work on plate meetings, we had previously written up line up card - mine with names like - Crocodile hunter, Shark Bite and Kola Bear. It was then time to work on our non academy out/safe and third strike calls. This was all a bit of fun - you will have to wait til I get back to see if I have come up with something. But we were reminded that when doing the third strike call that we still need to know where the ball is!

Then it was an early call for the day - 3pm & the good news that we did not need to be at the ground til 10am tomorrow. Jim said to us, that maybe some of us needed to spend the afternoon cleaning up our rooms in readiness for departure - believe me some of the guys do need a couple hours for this activity!!

Stay tuned for an entry on the final day, graduation and my summary/s of the past five weeks...

Oh and by the way

More camp games - more ejections

Well in the final week and the camp games have stepped up a peg or two. I am reasonably happy with my progress, they seem to be picking on the little things, like not quite being in the cutout for the play or half a step of my angle.

Yesterdays games - yes two, was an alternative for one, but someone was not well, the earlier one went well, got my time plays Right on, even had a glove and ball thrown at first baseman for an out (which was challenged - and i talked it through with an unhappy manager). Got praise even on my eval for some of my positions and hustle to get to plays.

The second game was a slight challenge - my partner was one of the Japanese guys, who speaks very little English, but they all seem to know the main baseball terms. Well it started out ok, until we had a catchers interference, and i was blocked from his call by other players etc....I then tried to communicate with him about what happened at second base - well we worked it out in the end that is all that matters.

Today's game was as a result of other umpires assisting with some filming, but was working with Matt from my cage group. Plays went well - except for the ejection of JP for arguing pitches - but jumped in quicker today and it was not mentioned in the eval.

But some of the memorial parts of the days where certainly the instructor antics...two have dropped their pants - indicating they were being screwed by the umpire.......we had a sit in today - instructor refused to leave the ground after they teed it up with the ground staff to turn the sprinklers on and see what the umpires did! We have also had an all in, chair thrown on the field and much much more.

One of this afternoons games, we had some high school kids there to do the fielding and make the plays - a few of them could play and throw the ball from centre to home, so made for a little different umpiring that us umpires running and making plays.

Today's challenge was the weather, about 10c if we were lucky! But the wind chill factor was high, yes we froze. Tonight's prediction is minus 3 overnight with a high of about 10 tomorrow with high wind chill factors - this is one aspect I am certainly not going to miss when I get home.

Preparations for the graduation has begun, today we had to organise our tables. Some of the students have family and friends coming along, so let them sort their tables out first and I will just tack onto a seat that is available. Well this sounded like a good idea at the time, now I am sitting on a table with 7 Spanish speaking students and other of the other umpires and his wife. They are very funny guys from Puerto Rico, with one of them telling me all the time he is taking me home, another that impersonates the instructors, so while I may not be able to understand a word they say, could be entertaining.

Well time to hit the sack, ready for another day of adventure...

Ejections

Well day one of the final week, and we were out on the diamonds by 9am due to threatening weather and forecast of rain late morning. Game one I was scheduled to work with Jack in the top of the 5th and top of the 6th.

Since I had not had any ejections to date, i was sort of expecting it. And it started straight away, the sniper fire about balls & strikes from the dugout. Then Quinn questioned a pitch, Craig comes out and is talking to his batter and make a comment about using a nine iron - I ignored, but he then kept going on the balls and strikes, so he was gone.

I run though a few more plays, then a first and third, 1 out, line up the catch in left field, more into position for the time play and there is an out at second, after a quick check of how many where out I call the run not scoring. Sarg then is upon me, right in my face telling me that i was not in position and that i should get help etc. I informed him that i was in position and that my partner would not be able to help with this one. With a little more yelling of disapproval in my face, to finally tell me I was Horseshit - he was done. Just seemed strange, firstly because he has not been acting as the manager of teams and secondly, men of his age don't argue like that!

The evaluation of my game - mostly positive, biggest issue - not throwing them soon enough!! What can one say - I'm a nice person and tolerant, need to be a little tougher, probably not what my son would say.

After lunch I was scheduled for another game, but the rain bet us to it, it was back in the classroom. After a quick review of some common issues (mainly people not doing ejections quick enough), we were spoken to by Kevin Winn from the American Association - Independent Leagues. Kevin spoke of their need also for umpires and the fact that another league was commencing this year and would also be looking for umpires. I am sure a number for guys will be working in these leagues this year.

Then after watching a couple of inspirational videos it was the end of the day. Just 5 days to graduation. As Jim would say, the light is turning on and starting to shine.

Whilst I start to look forward to getting home, to my family and friends, and back to normal life, I will also miss all these wonderful people I have met. Although one of the guys from Puerto Rico has told me he wants to take me home... He still has a week to convince me :-).

Theory over - one week to go!

Well just one week to go...We have finished all theory aspects, which was topped off with the final test - 200 question and just 2 hours to complete. The results..., well I can say that I am happy with my result, just over 90%. Class average was 86%,and of course my cage group (K) topped the class again - well done team. This gave us the highest average score in 7 of the 14 tests undertaken.

So what else happened this week? We had weather from the 80f down to the 30f. It is just weird how the mornings can be so cold and then by mid afternoon it is not so bad. This week we did however have a day of complete rain - which meant no field work. I can tell you it was not fun spending the day in the class room, might have been a little better had this happened early on in the course, but we did manage to get cage work in as this is indoors.

So what did we do....well they conducted interviews with everyone, the purpose to understand the individuals a little more, understand their aspirations, their thoughts on how the school has gone, suggestions on improvements etc...I have to say that mine may have been a little different from the guys going for professional jobs. It was made clear that this was the time to uncover any past run ins with police or the like, as background checks was part of the process to get a pro job. Whilst this was all happening we were also entertained by some MLB footage of umpire bloopers, ejections and close calls etc. But after lunch it we were handed a review sheet - no multi choice this time, 50 questions - was not really sure of the purpose, but I think it would be something that could be referred to as part of the process for selection for PBUC.

But once this review sheet was finished, we were able to leave - early finish - wow it is only 2pm on a Friday. Well considering we were to sit the final test the next day...common sense prevailed and I studied (with a little nanna nap in between).

Saturday after we had all sat our test, it was time for class photo. We all went over to the Gateway high school across the road and in the stands of the schools football/running track. It would have been nice to tell is no undershirts before we got there, so unlike me I was very polite and managed to remove my undershirt in front of 120 guys without removing my t-shirt! I am sure you will not even see my arms in the photo anyway..

Saturday afternoon it was back into camp games, and of course I was in the top of the first and top of the second, working with Pat McCabe Jr and doing the plate first. Despite the initial nerves, it went ok. The last play of my plate was
R1 R2, 2 outs - told me they were setting up a time play - remember to get the tag up at 3rd, as the ball is hit, I hear the instructor say let the ball drop - the right fielder catches it and stuffs up the play...just when I am thinking about the timing of the call for run or no run etc....!!! So in the end today's eval was ok, couple of little things to make me look a little sharper, but was told if I can handle the situations in these games, I will be fine in a real game.

Ted Barrett - current MLB umpire has joined us for a few days, he was even out on the fields as an instructor. He and the instructors setup some plays to really test some of these guys and push their buttons to see how they handle situations. At time i think i get just as much out of sitting on the side watching these plays, as I would if i was on the field, we discuss the play amongst the students and how each of us would handle situations.

We have also been visited by Bruce Webber a New York time journalist, that attended the school, and spent some time with minor and major league umpires to get and insight. He read some extracts out of his new book "As They See 'Em: A Fan's Travels in the Land of Umpires" - from what we heard it sounds like a very interesting read of umpiring life, from an outsides perspective.

Well just 6 days of the academy to go, this time next week I have to be thinking about backing the bags to come home. But that is 6 days away, we have more camp games to umpire and more muscle memory to build and probably a few more things to learn. And then of course there is the graduation next Saturday...

It is now Sunday 9am, and I have hired a car, so it is off to Orlando today to do a little sight seeing and shopping. But it is also Superbowl day, so will be back here to try and understand this game and cheer on Ben Graham.

Camp Games - only one more test!!

Hope everyone enjoyed their day off for Australia Day!! No I didn't have a day off! Studied suspended, protested and forfeited games!! Had a test on that today, the 13th of 14 - just the big one to go! Believe it is 100 questions and that will be next week. I can officially report that my cage group "K Zone" has the highest average score for our tests.

Mind you on Australia Day we did went through the procedure for standing for the national anthem - yes an for real we did this to Star Spangled banner!

This week we have been joined by Larry Barnett - ex MLB umpire. Larry is working with the instructors in the cages, and providing some insight in the classroom. Obviously a man with alot of experience.

Camp games are in full swing and so are the ejections. The funniest sight today...two of the Japanese guys where umpiring the game and one of the instructors had obviously got some Japanese words from Japanese instructors, and from what I could work out, the instructor told the umpire he was stupid, he was promptly ejected in Japanese with great force, he lost balance and fell off the chair backward!! Obviously totally embarrassed, he walked away from the field to return a few minutes later. This one was a bit of you had to be there, but believe me considering the separation between the instructors and the student umpires - this was hilarious.

They have gone over what should and shouldn't be tolerated as far as questioning pitches - so they have also introduced today sniper fire in the cages, and we are expected to eject them - and yes I ejected someone today!!. Also within our cage work it is all judgement work now, and they are evaluating our zones - but minimal feedback which is interesting (maybe I am doing ok?) but we are expected to watch our videos each night and review our cage work.

I have previously mentioned that there is a few guys here filming a doco on the Academy, not sure if i mentioned that I have done a 10 minute interview about my background and why i am here, they have also filmed several of us in the class room, in the cages and on the field. Today we watched them film some position plays for teaching purposes. The DVD will be able to be purchased - we had better get a discount!!

A little extra service tonight, Rick the groundsman wife is a hairdresser, so she has come to the Hotel and is cutting hair tonight for just $10. So I yes, i had it cut, but did ask her to put away the clipper before she started mine!

To finish off tonight a couple of Jimisoms for you!!!
An umpires worst enemy - surprise
Understand - Wokaroo
If you only have a hammer in your toolbox - everything will look like a nail!
Preparation meets Opportunity = Luck

3 weeks down

I write this as I sit in the Florida sun, beside the pool on our 3rd day off, which means we have completed 3 weeks of the 5 week program. But this week has certainly not been a normal week in Florida, they declared a state of emergency when the temperatures dropped below zero for 3 nights in a row. The local crops have been hit hard, but I can tell you that I too felt the cold, especially as I look at the temperatures back home in to 30's or as they would express it here high 80 f. I was just grateful that we did not need to be on the grounds til the afternoon when the temperature had warmed up a little to the mid 50 F.

Also off the field, it was a big week in the US, with Monday being MLK (Martin Luther King)day and Tuesday being the big day for Obama. With everything going on here I almost forgot it is Australia Day back home.

I have been keenly watching the results of the youth nationals and the Claxton Shield despite the majority of games being held when I am sleeping. Great to see the Victorian kids do so well, pity that the Aces didn't manage to make it all the way.

Oh and there is the baseball umpiring academy, the reason why we are all here. We have covered nearly all the book the book now, with just section 4 remaining. We commenced Camp games on Wednesday and I have done 3 so far, first one not too bad considering we were just the second group up. Thursdays well let just not talk about it....the balk call with no one on base, not scoring a run with just 2 outs!! Just a bad day....Fridays not so bad, maybe it is finally coming together. Cage work has also stepped up a little with judgement calling, and yesterday we commenced mapping our calls to enable us to review them on when we attend the video review room. The theory section and tests are going well, managed to get 100% on the awarding of bases exam this week, and my cage group have been doing very well with overall results of the test, topping the class on all except one this week. We have now completed 11 of the 14 tests.

This week also saw the departure of our French student - having to return home for family and work purposes. Alexis was given a good send off, given the privilege of running some of the instructors through concentration drill. It was also very amusing to see Alexis (all of 5ft 2) tossing Lance Barrett (6ft 10) during a camp game.

Saturday we also had Laz Diaz - MLB umpire drop in for the day to say hello.

As we all know our American friends are very patriotic, with us studying section 4 - starting and ending a game, we have covered what the requirements whilst the national anthem is being played. We also watched a video about WWII and the sacrifices that where made for the country and the flag.

My focus for the next two weeks will certainly to work on the little things, ensure I get the right angles, bust out of the box so i get that extra step closer, ensure that i read the play and get to the right position, work on the drop step to get to the point of the plate. Sounds alot, but i am sure that i will be able to iron some of these out with the 5 or so Camp games i will be doing this week. We also have Larry Barnett (ex MLB umpire), and just met Trent from England who is also here for the next couple of weeks.

Michael one of the guys here from Puerto Rico, who speaks very little English has been impersonating the instructors, it is so funny...the instructors got wind of it and confronted him during stretching matrix on Saturday - had to be there, but it was funny. They just need to wait until graduation night - he had more up his sleeve.

Well time to do some homework now......Section 4, Oh and my position report. No test tomorrow (Jim doesn't give tests on Mondays!)

Oh and Happy Australia Day to all those in Oz.
(Photo is Alexis (France) and me with great hat hair!)

Half way - Now it all changes, and Priorities!

Well, finished day 14, near enough to half way! We have now finished all the drill work on the field and commence Camp Games tomorrow. We still have a bit more theory work to cover - section 8 and batting out of order and a couple of other things assume, as we have 6 more tests to go.

Interesting situation this afternoon! We were all dragged of the fields and told to head straight back to the classroom, where an immediate roll call was undertaken. It was clear that a number (about 10 or so) had decided to disappear either at lunch time or afternoon break. Only one person had notified that they were not going to be there. Jim gave is his opinion of this type of behaviour, as well as the dedication and sacrifices that this job requires. But, as I sat back and listened to Jim, I asked myself, what are these people doing, what are they thinking! So many people would give their right arms in Australia for such an opportunity. Surely they made a concise decisions and a commitment(to someone, and hopefully themselves) to attend this course, some obviously to try and make a career out of what most of us deem as a hobby. It is a tough process to get into this line of work, and just as tough to stay in it. Yes the course is hard work (physically and mentally), but did they come into this with there eyes closed, did their families force them to be there (I doubt it) - it is just 5 weeks and the memories to last a lifetime. Obviously some have no interest in or just will never be capable of making the professional level, but come on they will/should have goals for the amateur ball, don't bail now!. Maybe some people need to think about this quote: Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them. But do not let them master you. or "A champion is someone who gets up, even when he can't."

I will now get off my soap box!!

Tomorrows test - appeal plays. By the way my cage group (K Zone) has been doing very well with the test, and have in fact got the best team scores on several occasions and been in the top couple for some too. And we only have 1 point against us for concentration drill and even scored a couple of points in the angle and distance comp. Have to be happy with that!

Now an explanation of Camp Games - for those from BUAV - a little different from what we have done in Ballarat. There is a roster for the students to be umpires, you are a plate umpire for the top of an inning, then a base umpire for the bottom of the next (2 sets of umpires). Other students are runners and players. There is a table of instructors with their red pens ready to markup all the things you do wrong. A brief rundown of the good and bad after your turn. These evaluations continue for the next couple of weeks and form a large portion of the overall evaluation and ultimate selection of those that will be chosen to attend the PBUC evaluations. I am sure they will start out with the simple plays and no manager questions and get a hell of a lot harder.

We have also had quiz time in the class room - and our Cage Groups turn today. Why was I asked the question about the poem "The man in the glass"!! Good thing was the other cage group didn't know the answer either. But we got 2 other right.

Well, getting late - time for sleep. Hope you are enjoying my dripple..! :-)

Two weeks down

Cant believe we have been at this for two weeks, this week has flown! Well we have now finished running through all plays for the 2 umpire system. We are also in Section 7 of the book and should be finished that this week. We have also completed 7 of the 14 exams.

This week has included check swing calls, batters and catchers interference, oh and lots of pivot drills. But we also started the Angle and Distance comp..a few people have scored a point - but the are the exception. We also covered awarding of bases, time of pitch, time of the throw, detached equipment - they all run through your head, must ensure we take our time and think before we award.
We were also introduced to Jim wheel, which selects a player to take the class for a particular review of work or the like - No number 54's please!!

Yesterday we were entertained by the instructors and Jim with the act of an ejection - for which we had to write up the report for. Great quote from Jim - "why don't you turn the plate over you might find some directions".

This week will see the introduction of camp games - we were given the run down of procedure. Basically you are teamed up (two umpire system), fielding side, you umpire real situations, while the red short evaluate. This will now continue for the next 3 weeks.

By the way had a little incident myself on Friday, was running after being a base umpire to be a plate umpire and was hit with a wild throw by a fellow student, in the back of the right hand. Yes I swore and yes it hurt, but medic Chris was quickly on the scene to check it and make sure nothing was broken, which confirmed it was ok, but it quickly blew up, plenty of Ice Friday. With it still swallow, and not able to make a fist (funny strike/out calls) I took the field on Saturday, but as the day got warmer and I kept using it, it quickly blew up more - so unfortunately I had to spend the rest of the afternoon with an ice pack. But lucky the night air was able to continue the ice treatment (yes it was very cold) and i can report today that whilst it is bruised and still a little sore to touch I can now make a fist and don't look like i have a man hand, as someone put it!

Why was I out in the cold last night......well for the past 3 nights they were suppose to be launching a Spy Satellite from KSC, it was scheduled for 7:33, well at 9pm it was still supposed to be happening, and eventually at 9:47 it was launched. I can now say I saw it, was it great - NO, it was a light moving in the sky that got brighter as the boosters went off. Tick - done one thing on my list of 100 things to do before I die.

A run down of a typical day

I think I have done more pivot drills in the past week and half and called more calls and strikes through drills and cage work than I would in a season, but that is just a small portion of the day.

This is a run down of a typical day in the first couple of weeks at the Academy:

6:00am - Alarm goes off
6:15am - Get up, shower etc
6:30am - Go to breakfast
7:00am - Return from breakfast and get ready for the day
7:30am - Head to the grounds (have hooked up with 4 others to get a lift each day from one of the guys with a car (Darren)
8:00am - Class commences - during morning class, we would hand in the position report and any homework. Questions about homework or the test we are about to take are dealt with. We would then undertake the test for that day. Then it is time to got through the plays and positions etc.
10:00am (Approx) - Break time - 10 to 15 minutes
10:15am - get the results of our tests (got to stop second guessing myself - but doing ok)
10:30 or so - Go through the position report from yesterday and get new one for tonight.
10:40 or so - Jim turn to go over the section of the rule book that we are studying - which will be the next test (14 in total - we have done 5 so far)
12:00 noon or so (if Jim has not gone over) - Lunch
1pm - Out on the field, but the routine is:
Instructors go over the positions plays we discussed in the morning session.
It is then RIGHT FIELD - Stretching matrix, Jimmy Wings and Jimmy Jacks. Followed by calling balls and strikes, then safes and outs.
Then it is off the the fields - 100 of us spread over three fields. During these session we run through situation plays - mostly those that have been discussed in the morning, but we can do free for all too.
3pm or so - Left field to do cone Pivot drill, then pivot drills on the field.
3:20 or so - break for about 15
3:35 or so - more drills on the fields.
But during the course of the afternoon you can be called to the cages to undertake cage work (explain that later) - have done 2 cages in one day a couple of times.
5pm or so - all on field 2 for position and angle challenge
5:15 or so - RIGHT FIELD - call balls and strikes, then it is time for Concentration drill.
5:30 or so - we are dismissed
6:00 - to 7:30 - dinner. Each group is allocated a time to attend.
Some time after dinner - Position report and any worksheets, plus study for tests.
Then if there is any time left relax and bed.

Cage Work - we are all put in a group of 5 (some now 4 or 3) and give a letter - mine K - or now known as K Zone!. We must leave the field together, get our protective gear on, enter the cage together. Each umpire will be a batter, a feeder of the balls, a catcher and a umpire in turn. When you are the umpire the drill is (keeping in mind that this is being taped) - Your name, the date, your cage group name, call one more pitch, brush the plate, chest to pitcher, head into place, right side. On the rubber, call play, set - call strike 1, 2 then 3 then time. Call 4 balls and time, repeat this on the left side. Instructor is watching you during this time to ensure all the key points are covered - A to B, Head Height, Voice, Tracking etc.

So we are in week 2 of 5, and I am sure you get the drift from the above this is no holiday! I am sure that as we move on, it will not get any easier, and keep in mind that many of these guys futures depend on the work that they are doing here.

On another note a big hello and get well to Dick Nelson (Sarg), he has decided to do a Macca and get a couple of stints in his heart in the middle of instructing at umpire training. We all wish him a fast recovery and hope to see him back out on the ground real soon.

Week one summary

Well one week over, 4 more to go...was it what I expected, yes, alot of hard work both physically and mentally. We have lost 4 students this week, not sure of the reason, but assume just not what they were prepared for. Some had had to sit on the sides a couple of days with injuries, there is also a number that are walking around sore and tired.

It is Sunday, our only day off for the week and many have opted to sleep in or take it easy for the day, weather is good, so a snooze beside the pool is a good option. Some have hired cars for the weekend (just $35 - special deal), so they can enjoy this very big tourist area, other are off shopping. Last night we were treated to a pool party - keg of Bud Light, soft drinks, hamburgers and sausages etc, it was a good social occasion.

So what have I learnt in week one? Well where do I start, whilst when I came here I understood and knew alot of the basics, there has been alot of learning's in the foot work, so ensure that you get the most out of your movements around the field and ensuring that you have the right angle on a play. And then there is the things that we do a little different - infield fly mechanic - on none out, fist in front of the body and then fingers together (almost like a salute) to the peak of the hat, and for one out - index finger in front and then to the peak of the cap, just one of the little things that you have to remember to do when carrying out the drills. One of the good things is the chance to do things over again, to build what they term as muscle memory.

One thing I have to do is listen hard, whilst the instructors speak English, the accent can be very deceiving at times, so you don't quite understand what you are being told. So if I find this difficult, imagine what it is like for those that their second or third language is English!

We have done 6 cage sessions this week, these have been very good, with all being taped and comments from the instructors recorded. Areas to work on for me - head height consistency, ensuring that I am in the slot, and displaying my balls and strikes at the same time. We are encouraged to practice in our rooms of a night. One of the very first things we did this week was removal of our masks without the cap coming off, if this happens now on the field it is frowned upon. "Hand to Mask" not Mask to hand as you drop you head.

We have undertaken 3 tests so far, so just 11 to go, but position reports and worksheets are also handed out most days to re-enforce the learning's in the class room. There is alot of effaces of the requirements of professional umpiring - keeping in mind that many of them attending are looking to be selected to go to the PBUC camp in March for jobs in minor league and hopefully beyond. Some of the things that need to be taught for this will never be used in amateur ball, for example dealing with the media, but they are still good to understand how the system works.

There are 68 major league umpires and 250 in the minor league system, considering many of these will have a full career out of this, hence the employee turnover rate is very low, but because it is very competitive, screw up and you are out.

So the rest of today is, do my worksheets, and position report, readup on section 3, do some more reading on Obstruction and Interference so I really understand it and propably a nanna nap down at the pool.

Stay tuned!

4 Days down

Two days of week one to go, and it has been a full week already! 20 Hours of theory and 16 hours on the field, running drills, doing pivot turns, calling balls and strikes, and then we have also done 3 sessions in the cages. Then there has been two tests and 4 work sheets (homework).

We have covered plays with no runners on, Runner on 1st and 2nd. Jim and Dick have just released a new book on the two umpire system, it is very detailed and has good diagrams on plays, with the Plate and Umpire responsibility explained, as well as much much more. Have a look on the Jim Evans website - worth the purchase if you are serious about umpiring and probably a good teaching aid too.

A couple of changed things (compared to what I have been shown), run down 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd, where the PU takes one end of the rundown, it is now taught "Ive got this half" and the PU is responsible for half of the run down not just the end. The other is at PU should be 10 to 12' from home plate, where as previous it was 5 to 6'.

As well as that we have covered the rule book - Section 9, 1 and commenced 2 in the book. The Australian rules book is so much easier to read (even Jim agreed it is well layed out and has a good index). You would think that there is much to cover in these sections, but i can assure you there is, and we are doing this in details and in conjunction with the interpretations within the PBUC manual.

Yesterday (Wednesday) we commenced work in the cages. The procedure is very strict, always move with your entire group, includes leaving field work, entering and exiting the cage. Also the process within the cage - a rotation in a particular way, and undertake your turn at plate umpire in a particular way. Failure to follow these processes, will mean you group is out of the cages! We have each been provided with a VHS video tape so we can review our cage work and the comments from the instructors of a night in a room that has been setup at the motel, with instructors available for explanations/assistance.

Tests have been ok so far with good results, in fact our Cage group was 3rd top group - from 15, have to be happy with that. And we have not lost points on the concentration drill yet - just have to keep it up to be in the running for a prize on graduation night

Tonight I have manage to get the washing done, watched my video, but still to do the only homework for the night - a position report to do - Runner on one, no one out, batter hit ball to RF, R1 advances to 3rd, called safe, BR advances safely to 2nd.... 1st to third for PU...I am sure the umpires reading this can sort out the rest, and I had better go and write mine up.

Hope you are enjoying this blog. Feel free to comment or ask questions.

Induction & Day one

Well its underway. 99 students in total, from all parts of the world - Canada, Netherlands, France, Czech Republic, Japan and of course all parts of the US, but just me for Oz. Just two females Siobhan from Canada and myself. About 25 instructors, plus Sarg and Jim. Oh and a film crew - more about that later.

Induction included what to expect, to structure of the day (theory in the morning, drills and practice in the afternoon - unless affected by rain). There was 4 hours of scene setting - the stages of learning - the 7 laws - Professional Principles - basic mechanics etc. Something we did get told was that there is 14 exams, the first being on Wednesday

Monday - day one started as will every day about 6, breakfast at 6:30, in the class room no later than 8. Being day one we were all placed in our classroom seats - Alpha order (me - room 3 at the very end), we were then numbered off, this is our student number, which must appear on all paper work (#54). Then came the cage group (K), my buddies are Norm (Canada), Matt and Dustin (US) and David (Czech), both Norm and Dustin have been through this previously. Oh then allocated a Group (Red, White and Blue) - I am White - this will be used for field work (and dinner times).

With all the formalities out of the way it was time to do some real work. Sarg took the stage for a run through of Plate and Base umpire responsibilities with no runners on, including trouble balls, Pause Read React, priorities and much much more.
After a quick break, Jim took over and gave an in site into Pro umpiring and what to expect.

After lunch it was off to the field and put all we had learnt into practice, the process was very familiar (I must have been absorbing something at those weekends in Ballarat). At times even felling very adequate, removal of the mask, how to hold it and my indicator, but at other time reminding myself that this is stuff that Mark/Howe and Macca etc have told be before - get you head into this. Anyway didn't do too bad for the day, and of course we finished off with the good old concentration drill...again I felt lucky to have done this one before!

So after the first full day of school, despite it being about 30 degrees C, I felt ok, feet a little sore, but ok. And looking forward to tomorrow and the other 30 odd days. But need to do a few drills in the room tonight, so I had better get off the computer.

Oh, just before I sign out, yes that film crew. Here to do a documentary on the school etc... took a few shots/footage of my Aussie Flag pencil case last night! Not sure what that was about... But they have referred to me as the Ozzie Chick!

Stay tuned - Till next time!

Universal Studios and more

Yes I did it, I braved the holiday mania here in Orlando and went to Universal Studios for the day. I had a great day, long expensive, but great. Obviously it would have been good to purchase the express card for the day, but how can one justify $200 AUS for a theme park day! Loved the single rider option at a couple of the rides, that saved a lot of time, but I pulled the pin at standing in line for a ride for more than 60 minutes...there was plenty more to see. Did have dinner at Bubba's Gump Shrimp restaurant - surprise surprise most of the menu was shrimp (pawns).

Well today it appears that the cold/sore throat I had before I left Oz is back, so straight down to Walmart for some drugs and the agenda until JEAPU starts is rest and make sure I am 100%. This will give me time to start some umpiring reading.

With just 2 days until the start all the umpires will start arriving, these post will turn to more of the umpiring aspects of the trip. They have one of the motel rooms setup as a shop of umpiring gear, so hears hoping I am able to get my new chest plate, and maybe some shoes that are small enough.

To all my fellow umpires from Oz that are involved in the National Youth Championships and Claxton Shield over the next couple of weeks, good luck and enjoy!