I was just wondering...

[Tim C]

" . . . how did this guy get into your association without knowing one of the most basic rules of baseball?"

Again this shows regional differences. When someone joins the Portland Baseball Umpires Association it is OUR JOB to train them. We have many people that join at Rookie status that have done nothing more than watched baseball on TV.

The PBUA has been documented as the oldest official high school baseball association on the West Coast and we recruit all types of people (yes, even Little League Umpires) to join our group.

Our first and second year umpires are "licensed" for only freshman and JV games. Working a varsity "patched" game takes the passing of rules, mechanic and game management training.

BTW, we do not use the terms "license" or "patched" in this area of the country.

Tim Christensen

1st Vice President -- Rules
Portland (OR) Baseball Umpires Association