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"IMO the method of imparting rules knowledge to the new umpire is very inefficent and less than engaging."
Maybe you should qualify your statement by adding, "in my area". How many thousands of umpire associations must there be? I'm sure that some go beyond this basic form of instruction, while others might offer even less.
I've run into this very thing and seen it go both ways. For example, my local ASA association seems to follow what you are describing. The rule classes are not much more than a dry reading from a book, as if the new umpire will memorize it front-to-back by rote.
You can go beyond this on your own, by attending national clinics, reading any additional material you can get your hands on, asking lots of questions to experienced umpires and even by participating in discussion boards, like this one.
We don't even have to take the ASA test to become certified, but the instructor encouraged us to take it on our own and he would grade it and discuss any questions we had. So, it can be used as a learning tool, but somewhere along the line someone is going to have to supply the answers so you can see what areas you need to work on.
By contrast, my local baseball umpire association is much more geared toward training and education. Before gaining my certification (FED baseball), there was a mandatory 8 week rules class. After that, passing the 100 question FED baseball test was also mandatory.
The guys that taught the beginners class were both educators- one a middle school history teacher, the other a college chemistry professor.
They guy teaching our mandatory second year class is pursuing his masters degree in education, and makes the material easy to learn. Having instructors that know how to teach can make any subject fun and interesting!
Our membership has many umpires doing college ball, several former minor league pros and even a major league umpire- Tim Timmons- who resides in the central Ohio area and is a frequent guest lecturer.
Last week we had our annual mechanics clinic. This is very well run, with many experienced instructors. Drills are run on a local field, with high school players running bases and batting. Classroom instruction is given throughout the day. Home plate mechanics are video taped and critiqued, then you have a chance to go back in the cage and be taped again. And, you get to keep your tape for personal review.
Even within the same city, you can have a night-and-day difference in umpire education. If you feel that your local association isn't teaching you well, take it upon yourself to pursue every other educational resourse you can find.
[Edited by BretMan on Mar 16th, 2005 at 11:04 AM]
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