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!
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