Quote:
Originally posted by cmcallm
Vote me with Alan G. I would NOT offer the option until (or unless) it was brought to MY attention by the offensive coach.
When I went to Wendelstedt's school (1985), we were instructed specifically to enforce the interference and NOT MENTION the option - that had to be initiated by the offensive coach. Of course, that was years ago...
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cmcallm,
Pro schools are a terrific opportunity for umpires, there's no doubt about that. Jim Evans' Academy and Harry and Hunter's school are the best money can buy. The rewards from such high level learning will last an umpire a lifetime.
But there are some things that an amateur umpire needs to remember about those schools to keep it all in perspective. The jobs of those schools are to prepare a student for the professional world of umpiring. Their focus is on getting as many of their students as they can professional assignments. It certainly isn't a bad thing. I would be disappointed to learn that they were teaching their students anything but the best professional-level policies.
But in the amateur world, some of what Jim, Harry, and Hunter instruct simply does not apply. Most does apply, but some things don't. I think this option business is one example of where professional policies don't apply in the amateur world.
For an amateur umpire to gain a well-rounded education in officiating baseball, it is important not only to attend a pro school, but also to attend a camp run by the top amateur instructors in the land. That will give a student the tools he needs to realize how different the game of baseball is at the amateur level.
So I don't doubt the accuracy of the information that you learned from Harry's school back in '85. But they were readying you for a career in professional baseball, and not preparing you to deal with coaches whose knowledge of the rules of the game is novice at best.
My vote goes to bringing the coaches together and explaining to them what's going on.
P.S. Thank you for posting your name. It was not necessary. Your web page provided enough proof, at least to me, that you were indeed a real person. Ranger was playing games with us. He was not genuine. Everyone should check out
http://www.4umpires.com/ and offer cmcallm suggestions on making his page even better.