School question

[Richard_Siegel]

Originally Posted by HokieUmp

So my question is: are there guys like me there? ... I mean, guys that know they're not heading for Yankee Stadium without a ticket, who want get better at the level they're at, and may aspire to college/summer league ball at some point

Thanks!

Yes, there will be guys like you. But I have one point of advice. The 5-week pro school teaches folks how to become PROFESSIONAL umpires, to work in a PROFESSIONAL games, played by PROFESSIONAL players, using PROFESSIONAL rules. Although, the instructors might mention some of the differences in rules and mechanics between prod and FED, or NCAA at weekend clinics you might have attended around the country, they have no time or interest in doing that at the "big-school."

I suggest that you forget whatever you know about umpiring and immerse yourself in the mechanics and rules that they will teach you there. Never bring up or ask about any difference between prod and FED, or NCAA while you are there. The instructors won't know about them, nor will they care.

Once, you get home, you can get those differences striaghtened out on your own.