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Originally posted by WestMichBlue
"However, but that is not the staff's fault."
Not a criticism of the NUS, Mike. They are excellent instructors. It is a statement of failed expectations.
From the ASA website on umpire schools: "The ASA annually hosts local, state and national umpire clinics which literally blanket the nation and bring the best instruction available in the sport to every region.
Does this not suggest a hierarchy of training?
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Yes, it does, but I suspect not all areas run things the same way we do in Delaware. We are fortunate enough that Tom Mason, one of the pioneers in ASA rules and training, is a fellow association member, former partner and a Delawarean. What he did nationally, he did locally and we strive to stay at that level every year. There are umpires who attend to learn and those who attend because they are required. We only charge $15 for first timers and $10 for anyone else who choses to attend. We usually have approx. a 3-1 student/instructor ratio.
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ASA again: The purpose of the ASA National Umpire School is to develop each student's individual talents and skills as an umpire. With a ratio of at least one clinician per 25 students, each participant will receive hands-on personal instruction throughout the school. As noted, we had nearly 50 per clinician.
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For some assigned to Bernie, that could be a blessing. However, it is way too many.
As I watched others, I could see that 75% to 80% of the attendees needed this school. But as you noted, Mike they probably should have received this training at the local level.
Not to get parochial, but the few umpires from Michigan that I talked with had the same feelings of disappointment that I had.
WMB
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Most umpires from my area feel the same, but they soak up what they can. Over the past 15 yesrs, only one Delaware umpire has returned with less than a good to excellant rating, and to be honest, he shouldn't have been sent. The bad part is, this umpire insists everyone else was wrong, he was correct and to hell with them if they don't like it. The actual problem was that this guy refused to adjust over the 30 years he has been umpiring and was still hanging with the mechanics from the '70s.
I'd like to think that the areas which promote training at the local level produce the better umpires.