[tcannizzo]

Back in 89-94 I was on the board of a local rec association.
Although it wasn't my idea, each year all of the coaches were required to attend a coaches meeting held by then-UIC for Metro Atlanta, Charlie Myers.

Charlie conducted an umpire clinic, and administered the current umpire test to all the coaches. At the end of the session, each coach received a green card.

Later, a particular basketball official offered a program called "PETS" Parents Educated in The Sport. A 90-minute clinic explaining rules and rulings with a "hand-book" as a takeaway.

Both of these were invaluable in providing parents, players and coaches with a much better understanding of what is going on during a game; end result much smoother for all involved including the officials.

I know many, including myself, who offer rules clinics for teams and leagues. Perhaps more resources like this should be made available through a commercial venture.

Of course, there is the flip side. A whole mob of people who can say "I used to umpire"