Except that same / many local youth leagues pay more to an umpire who is "patched." And, since the process takes some time, he'll want to start now so he's ready when the youth leagues start and he's available (generally after the HS season).

I also think (but verify this with the IHSA), that you can start the process now, but have it not become effective until June, rather than having it become effective now and expiring in June. That might not matter much to the youth league -- some require you to be "patched" at the beginning of the season, but don't care if you don't renew it. You should check this with the Elmwood Park Park district (or whoever runs the local baseball program).

Re: IHSA Test
 

Finally broke down and started my test! LOL. Trying to get out of basketball mode and into baseball mode. It's a very slow process! :D

Lots of "looking up stuff"
 

It may be different for you tjones but when I took my IHSA baseball test it seemed like I had to look up almost every single question. Seems like they are really trying to "trip up" people with the wording of the questions the last two years.

I don't know if you do baseball AND softball like I do but I definitely noticed a couple of questions on the baseball test that if I had not of looked them up I would have gotten them wrong becuase of thinking sotball and not baseball. A lot of the guys around here (Harrisburg) are REALLY getting away from baseball and only going with softball. I know it is a QUICKER game but my heart will always be with BASEBALL!! Even if I work a 2-3 hr baseball game if there is a lot of good plays and good action it doesn't really seem to me to take that long.

Good luck and let me know how you did. Thanks

Question #58
 

Hmmm, I believe this one was on last year's test.

Better go false on #58/The ball is NOT immediately dead it should be a delayed dead ball. Lots of trick questions this year/Don't you think?

I got false too. But I was thinking this question was on last year's test too....maybe not?

Hey guys, here are my two cents on this matter. Spend the $35 and get your license. Join a local association, and start working local games as soon as the high school season ends. Most associations around will keep you working until late July and will want you to be licensed. Believe it or not, my estimate is that 20% of IHSA baseball umpires do not even work high school games. When I contact them for a high school assignment I hear more often that not they just wanted to get certified to do local games.

Now as far as the Federation test goes...I think it gets easier every year. After spending about 15 hours on the NCAA test, I started the FEd test and had 28 questions done in 10 minutes...all correct. Yea, they have wordy questions, but most all of them are verbatim out of the book and easy to find. Anything less than a 95 on this is a disappointment, imho.

Re: Lots of
 

Strike3UROUT,

FINALLY!!! I'm done with my exam. I was off and on today whenever I had time to finish it up. Anyways, they were tricky again this year!!! Got a 100. Now it's time for the rules interp, the one I'm going to is on Thursday in Olney.

email me Ted, I can help you out.
 

Mr. Smith

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