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!