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!