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.