Upcoming Clinic Invitation

[SAump]

Originally Posted by Dave Hensley

I wouldn't have thought sniffing the instructors' jocks would be required to understand what they're talking about when they describe their plate mechanics instruction as "teaching the box system." I'm pretty sure I'm correct that that terminology does NOT describe the plate mechanics taught at either professional school.

Sorry if my questions put a damper on your efforts to make some referral fees or something.

You can work any angle you prefer. These young guns will answer all your questions and leave you feeling good. I laugh when the instructors "hammer" the ole scissors stance. I am pretty sure the real Gerry Davis won't be there to give you that discount either. I also know there will be some TASO and MSBL guys standing 15 feet back. The more, the merrier. YOU can join em and find out where they are going after school.

Disclaimer: Please be sure to have plenty of good calories in your system before Sat morning. Alcohol is not being endorsed. I always feel bad for those who get sick trying to work it out on a hangover. Money spent in SA stays in SA.

[SAump]

Have you ever desired to work ONE night of PRO ball in front of a large crowd as a fill-in for a Texas League official who may have fallen ill for the night? This is a chance to open that door. You will also need bona-fide HS/college credentials and a recommendation from clinic staff.

Have you ever wanted to work pre-season TX league or college intersquad games or small local college pre-seasson non-conference games or college summer ball? This is a chance to walk through that door. You will also need HS credentials and a recommendation from clinic staff.

Have you ever thought of attending an umpire school on mechanics as an inherrent value? You will learn the latest mechanics for BU and PU taught by the very best, brightest and motivated students in the game. That is something a night away from the LL or TASO brotherhood can promise you. Leave those other affiliations at the doorstep and enter with an open mind.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by SAump

You can work any angle you prefer. 1) These young guns will answer all your questions and leave you feeling good. 2) I laugh when the instructors "hammer" the ole scissors stance. 3) I am pretty sure the real Gerry Davis won't be there to give you that discount either. I also know there will be some TASO and MSBL guys standing 15 feet back.

1) Many participants were returning for the 2nd or 3rd time within the past 2-3 years, nearly half. One participant from Corpus Christi is now calling some TASO college ball after attending the clinic two years in a row. He commented how his assignor and coaches noticed him and how he surprised older TASO veterans. Ssssshhhh. The majority of participants felt it was well worth it, again.

2) One gentleman present was allowed to work the scissors stance throughout camp. There were about a 1/2 dozen youngsters, the youngest being 12. None were bald. One member in my group of 7 was bald. I believe he was a peace officer. Two umpires were planning to attend the Jim Evans 5-week school in the near future. One, as soon, as he graduates with a degree in criminal justice.

3) The group was much smaller than past years, almost 1/2. The Gerry Davis rep wasn't there either. The Honig's rep gladly stepped in to meet our needs. He practically brought a truckload of uniforms, equipment, shoes, and many other things. The TASO officials who were present stood up there with the rest of us. I guess the other local TASO and MSBL guys already know everything there is to know. Perhaps, the local TASO group also scheduled a mandatory meeting for this same weekend.

[SAump]

Here is a term familiar to all baseball umpires: a trainwreck. I would like to introduce a new term I have learned for the same concept: tangle untangle. Sure was used alot this weekend when discussing interference and obstruction calls. I liked it.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by SAump

Here is a term familiar to all baseball umpires: a trainwreck. I would like to introduce a new term I have learned for the same concept: tangle untangle. Sure was used alot this weekend when discussing interference and obstruction calls. I liked it.

I do not disparage your instructors. They sound very competent. However, I assume you haven't been to a quality clinic in a very long time, because nothing you've presented here so far is new.

But in no way do I mean to damper your enthusiasm. You remind me of my kids when they were young and assumed that they were the first to discover everything they discovered.

If you are learning to be a better umpire, I salute you.