MLB umpire camp?

[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.

[umpduck11]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Don't forget the scabs that will be there.

Bottom line, if you want to become a better umpire, attend one of Jim Evans Classics. If you want to hear war stories and shmooze with over the hill umpires who have turned their backs on their former union and partners, attend the Compton clinic.

Hey,don't hold back, tell us how you really feel.

[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."

[Klokard]

I have attended the MLB camp at the Compton facility, both the 1 week and the one day. They do teach the basics such as the pivot, out call, safe call, etc... so it is not really a great camp for the experienced ump looking to improve. It was worth it to me to be able to hear some war stories from the ol' grizzlies that speak. Also I had Larry Young as the instructor in the cage. After the camp he asked me who I worked for and sent glowing evals to my College assignors. Very classy.

[umpcop]

There were no local college umpires instructing at the MLBUC and no scabs. PBUC supervisors covered the 2 man system. I would say they are familiar with that system. Eight umpires went on to their choice of umpire schools. The other 50 or so attendees came out of the course as better umpires.