Soliciting advice about returning

[jchamp]

Good day, all,

I've been mostly lurking here for years, taking in the voices of experience, and think that you guys could help me determine how to handle this off-field situation:

I've umpired one season in SW Ohio, called football for two years in Central NY, and now I live in Nevada, where I was able to call one basketball scrimmage in 2009 before I had to bug out for a while. A combination of deployments and military moves has kept me from being able to fully participate in officiating, but my former partners and assignors have encouraged me to keep at it.
I was looking like I would be able to do this upcoming softball and baseball season, and I was just notified that I would have to attend a class starting in February in Alabama that will keep me there for the end of the classes and a couple weeks into the start of the season.
From the perspective of the assignors, instructors, and committee members, what recommendations can you give on how best to proceed? I really don't want to sit out ANOTHER season (this will be the 5th baseball season I've missed), especially when there are resources in both areas. Is there a mechanism in place to allow someone to split their class attendance, maybe even transferring test information to the home state, if required?

I appreciate any advice you folks could offer.

[umpjong]

Contact your state office if this is for H.S. Explain your military conflicts. Hopefully they will give you a one year waiver. If its College, contact your local assigners and explain it to them.


Also, Thank You for your service!!!!!!!!!

[Matt]

Minnesota has waived its requirements when I've had a conflict of this nature, so hopefully other states will, too.

[DG]

If you are talking about HS umpiring (early March) then talk to HS assignor, explain your situation. He should be willing to work with you on early season closeouts. Since your experience is fairly limited, you will likely work JV ball for a time anyway, so early season miss is not a big deal.

[jchamp]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice.

My one year that I worked in Ohio was mostly solo 7th/8th grade and some 9th grade games with a partner, and several weeks of community youth league that I enjoyed, as well. I'd expect that here I would have a similar assignment profile.
I'll discuss the case with the guys in charge shortly. Thanks, again!