Rookie Umpire

[KJUmp]

You live in Illinois...if you're anywhere near Davenport, Geneva, or Peoria get over to catch some Class A Midwest League games in the early spring. Two man system and you'll see first hand excellent mechanics, timing, positioning, and coverage from the young MiLB umpires looking to work their way the umpiring ladder in professional baseball. You can study their stance behind the plate, the angles they get to make calls on the bases, covering a steal (how they pivot and get a good angle), how both the umps READ and REACT when the ball is hit, how they carry themselves on the field etc. etc. You'll just learn a ton.
Two good umpire websites are SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL Online and Umpire's Resource Center
The first one has all kinds of news and tons of links to all sorts of umpire websites. The second one has Forums that are setup by subject, type /level of baseball, and there is a forum section specifically for new umpires.
Good luck in your first season...it'll be here before you know it.