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.