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In our league we try to start them from 13-14. I think it is very dependant on the individual. I have seen some 13 year olds that are more mature and have a better understanding of the game than some 16 year olds. Currently I have (3) 14 year olds, (2) 15 year olds. For how it works, I have 2 young ladies that I would put up against any young blue. And I have a few that still need work. My experience is that it is a lot of work to develop the young (inexperienced) umpires, and as I have said you get about 2 out of 5 that you are ok with putting a blue shirt on for a long term thing. IMO it is an investment into the future, again a big investment, and you are going to hear it from coaches and fans but if you work with them on positioning and get them to read the book they can develop into a very good umpires.
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