[Andy]

In the Phoenix area, we have put a mentoring program in place.

When we sign up a new umpire, s/he is assigned to a mentor, an experienced umpire that has agreed to be part of the program. We have a coordinator for the program to make sure that our mentors are teaching things correctly and not adding their own interpretations and mechanics. The mentee is assigned games (usually lower level tournament or rec league games) exclusively with their mentor for a period of time. If the mentee has any questions about rules or mechanics from a game they worked or observed, they are to contact their mentor. When the mentor feels that the mentee is ready - could be a week or two, could be a month or two, they are "released" to be assigned games in the same way as the rest of the group.

Our mentor coordinator has also requested that our association members donate any old or used equipment they have to help defer the start up costs for new umpires.

We also offer a two-day school each year, usually in September for new and returning umpires.

Darrell can provide more details if I have missed anything.