Umpire Development News- Geoff Robertson

 

Those of you reading this article may be thinking, because of its similarity to last months, that not a lot goes on in our office this time of year. Be assured that nothing could be further from the truth.

While the WCBF has quietened down with most of the organisational procedures completed there is a huge amount of activity and commitment towards the success of the Academy Program. A huge amount of time and effort is being directed towards this in the program of lectures, clinics and games to ensure that all participants get full benefit in an enjoyable atmosphere.

 

You will notice further down in Dates for the Diary that all dates are now listed for State Umpire Seminars. Any further enquiries should be directed to the applicable State Director of Umpiring who can be contacted via the website.

 

These seminars are for both new and renewal of National Accreditation and basically have a two fold function. They are designed to cater for those of you who would like to progress through the levels of accreditation available in order to officiate at the higher standard games, that is, First Grade Major League, National Championships, Claxton Shield and consideration for International events. However, and very importantly, they are also aimed at umpires who are happy umpiring in their local competition and at that level and want to do the best job that they possible can. This comprises approximately 80% of umpires currently accredited. This is so very important, for to do the best job it is so very important to keep up to date with current teachings that these seminars provide. Umpires who do not keep current and continue to umpire under outdated practices do a disservice to the players, managers, coaches, clubs, other umpires, themselves and the game as a whole.

The huge majority of complaints that I receive regarding umpires and umpiring matters from participants can be directly associated to non accredited people that umpire, or those who are not familiar with current techniques.

 

Academy Program

The ABF, MLBI Academy Program is conducted on the Gold Coast, Palm Meadows Baseball Complex, mid June to mid July totalling approximately four to six weeks of training and games.

 

It is aimed at 16-18 olds who have shown definite baseball potential to be considered for the Australian National Team or a professional contract. Enough to say that it attracts the best young baseballers in the country with some overseas visitors. There have been players from the Oceania region and from Korea and Taiwan.

 

Having observed the academy program and viewed the activities and games played I can see a benefit in annexing the academy to the Umpire Development Program.

 

Last year there was one umpire involved in the program fulltime and this year there were two, and really all that was involved with them was umpiring games, but I can envisage an enhanced involvement in 2004.

 

What we have done has been to bring in a team of umpires to be involved in an intensive and comprehensive training program designed for umpires who show the potential to officiate at the highest level available.

 

The training program will be a compilation of games, training sessions and lectures utilising some members of the Umpire Development Instructors Panel and the various coaches, ancillary staff and tutors involved with the academy.

 

A typical day would be tuition, games, followed up with a thorough assessment, and further tuition. It will be possible to link in with tuition sessions with the players, sports psychology, nutrition etc, or any other programs supplied by the Gold Coast TAFE available to the players.

 

The program will be run over three separate two week sections where identified umpires would live in at the academy.

 

In respect to talent identification the following has been used,

 

 Those umpires seen as having potential to be

• appointed to the National Competition scheduled for 2005/6
• appointed to all Under Age National Championships,
• appointed to the highest level available in your area,
• nominated for appointment to IBAF tournaments,
• appointed to BCO tournaments
• those who would be recognised under the Fast Track Principle

 

They must also project a professional image both on and off the field.

 

I am positive that this initiative can play an important part in the Umpire Development Program.

 

A number of umpires have been identified who will be attending the academy.

New South Wales: Christopher Adam, Matthew Carter, Nick Glazebrook, Mark Gilmour, Sean Byrne.

ACT: Matthew Pearson

Victoria: Philip Box, David Milton, Cameron Banks

South Australia: Blake Halligan

Western Australia: Jon Byrne, Kyle Byrne, Michael Cox, Peter Bowie

 

World Children’s Baseball Fair

Will be held in Awajishima Japan from July 29 to August 6. Five children and a chaperone will be attending the fair as Australia’s ambassadors are ready to embark on a trip of a lifetime. The fair not only provides expert baseball tuition from top line coaches but also provides those attending with a huge cultural experience not only by simply living in Japan but by meeting other children form all over the world with a common interest.... our great game of baseball.

Those chosen are Sam Morris, Victoria, Nick Whyte, Northern Territory, Daniel Barry, South Australia, Michelle Tallon, Dapto, New South Wales, Brandon Varis, Western Australia. These children together with the chaperone, Daniel Griffiths from South Australia, will I am sure do an excellent job as Australia’s ambassadors at the WCBF.

 

Scorers Accreditation

With the introduction of a national accreditation program for scorers many scorers have enjoyed having the opportunity to attend training clinics and become nationally accredited. So far 194 have reached this milestone and are to be congratulated.

 

Umpire Accreditation

It so pleasing to note that national umpire accreditation has increased considerably on past years. First indications are that this could be because of the gradual acceptance of the ABF Anti Harassment Policy or Fair Go for Officials Program introduced over the past twelve months. Hopefully this will be accepted wider in the baseball community and help keep our umpires in the game. It is tragic that 87% of umpires give the game away cite abuse and harassment as the main cause. In addition to this over one thousand have availed themselves of the Orientation to Umpiring Course in their area. Irrespective of your ambitions regarding umpiring by attending a seminar at a level suitable to you will assist you working the diamond. By having trained umpires in the diamond will also be a betterment for the game.

 

Dates for the Diary

4-6 June Queensland Umpires Seminar, Curramundi

14 June 31 July Academy Program, Palm Meadows

6-8 August, Victoria Umpires Seminar, Waverley Ball Park

3-5 September, South Austria Umpires Seminar, Theberton Ball Park

11-12 September, Western Australia Umpires Seminar, Perth

17-19 September, New South Wales Umpires Seminar

 

How Did You Go?

Runner on first, the right handed pitcher has stopped at the bottom of his stretch motion. The runner breaks for second, the pitcher turns towards first, without hesitating he continues his turn and throws to the second baseman for the putout.

Is this a balk?

 

8.05, Approved ruling, this is a legal play. It is not considered throwing to an unoccupied base or failing to throw to first. The runner is out.

 

Try This One

Runners on first and second, no outs, the batter hits a pop-up just into the outfield grass behind second base, thinking the infield fly rule will be invoked the runners hold. The ball falls untouched to the ground and the defensive team turns an easy double play. Does the play stand? Can the offensive manger appeal the decision? Can the umpires, if they decide that they have erred, revoke the call and invoke the infield fly?

 

One more

The runner on first base is running on the pitch, as he races for second his helmet falls to the ground. The batter hits the pitch towards the hole between first and second, and the ball strikes the helmet. The second baseman is unable to field the ball for the routine put out. Is the runner out?

Same situation, but the ball ricochets to the second baseman who throws to first to beat the batter/runner. Is a runner out? Which one? Maybe the ball is dead and all advance. Make a call!

Regards,

Geoff Robertson