MLB umpire camp?

[umpjayfire]

I was considering attending the MLB umpire camp...Does anyone have an opinion on the worthiness of this camp?.....Why do they not have any current pro guys on the field staff?....thanks for your input

MLB Umpire Camps | MLB.com: MLBUC

[Tim C]

Here are the facts with no emotion or other details:

Both the Unions for MLB and MiLB selected to not participate in "Camp Compton" this year.

The decision was made by the Boards of both unions for their own reasons.

Regards,

[Kevin Finnerty]

And fine unions they are and have always been.

Baseball first!

[SanDiegoSteve]

There are still a boatload of big name former MLB umpires there, from Palermo to Springstead to Froemming just to name a few. It sounds like a pretty decent one-week camp.

[umpjayfire]

Definitely, from a schmoozing stand point, it would be cool to meet the legends like Froemming, Springstead and Palermo. But, do you all think that from a standpoint of 2-man umpiring, which is what I do in HS, it is worth it...really...do you think Froemming could add valuable input toward 2man umpiring?...He hasn't done it in a million years and physically he couldn't do it.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by umpjayfire

Definitely, from a schmoozing stand point, it would be cool to meet the legends like Froemming, Springstead and Palermo. But, do you all think that from a standpoint of 2-man umpiring, which is what I do in HS, it is worth it...really...do you think Froemming could add valuable input toward 2man umpiring?...He hasn't done it in a million years and physically he couldn't do it.

Neither can Palermo, obviously, or even Marty Springstead, but they are not the field instructors anyway. However, I think all of these former MLB umpires would be invaluable in the classroom setting and would have a lot of knowledge and experience to pass on.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by umpjayfire

Definitely, from a schmoozing stand point, it would be cool to meet the legends like Froemming, Springstead and Palermo. But, do you all think that from a standpoint of 2-man umpiring, which is what I do in HS, it is worth it...really...do you think Froemming could add valuable input toward 2man umpiring?...He hasn't done it in a million years and physically he couldn't do it.

The legends describe the mechanics and the minor league and college guys demonstrate. It's pretty cool.

Palermo's worth it all by himself.

[Umpmazza]

Originally Posted by umpjayfire

Definitely, from a schmoozing stand point, it would be cool to meet the legends like Froemming, Springstead and Palermo. But, do you all think that from a standpoint of 2-man umpiring, which is what I do in HS, it is worth it...really...do you think Froemming could add valuable input toward 2man umpiring?...He hasn't done it in a million years and physically he couldn't do it.

I dont ever think you can put a price on training and education.

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

And fine unions they are and have always been.

Baseball first!

You are correct. They are fine unions who believe in placing baseball first, not publicity stunts like the MLB umpire camp. Their members work hard at both pro schools and numerous clinics around the country really educating and training amateur umpires instead of posing for the media in southern California.

[socalblue1]

Compton is an adult umpire fantasy camp. Given that, the ability to spend some time with Bruce, Steve and a few other select folks would be worth the time.

The field staff has improved since I last looked. There a few guys there that can teach (Hiler, Felt & Bauza). Larry Young is very good on rules.

Will it be equal to Evans? No, as they will need to instruct to the lowest level (And it will be really LOW).

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by Ump153

You are correct. They are fine unions who believe in placing baseball first, not publicity stunts like the MLB umpire camp. Their members work hard at both pro schools and numerous clinics around the country really educating and training amateur umpires instead of posing for the media in southern California.

Really? Did you ever go to the So. Cal camp? It wasn't what you describe.

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

It wasn't what you describe.

You are appropriately speaking in the past tense. It wasn't quite like that because in addition to the MLB bigwigs, there were real trained pro instructors there in the past. That will not be the case this year. The pro instructors aren't coming. They are being replaced by the likes of Tom Hiler, some other scabs and some long past their prime former Major League umpires who don't have a clue as to the changes in two man mechanics over the past 20 years.

The reason for the camp, according to Major League Baseball, is to recruit minority umpires to go to proschool. The local papers were full of photos of the MLB officials and some of their prospects. I haven't heard how well they may have achieved their primary goal, but having worked with a couple of their graduates, I've seen that they didn't do much to train the average amateur.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by umpjayfire

I was considering attending the MLB umpire camp...Does anyone have an opinion on the worthiness of this camp?.....Why do they not have any current pro guys on the field staff?....thanks for your input

MLB Umpire Camps | MLB.com: MLBUC

Union and management get along like oil and water.
The camp is run by PBUC staff working for MLB.
MLB decides who works and who doesn't.
MLB is pleased with its decision.

BTW, the scabs have no horse in this race.

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by SAump

Union and management get along like oil and water.
The camp is run by PBUC staff working for MLB.

The camp is run by MLB, coordinated by Rich Rieker. The only instructors they could get, aside from the former ML guys, were some local college instructors, some of whom have worked Single A baseball and some PBUC evaluators who are no longer represented by a union.

MLB is pleased with its decision.

Which is why they continued to try to pressure active MLB and MiLB umpires to work the clinic even after being turned down.

BTW, the scabs have no horse in this race.

True, no horse. But they do have a couple "instructors."