Bullock Creek Hosts 35 Aspiring Umpires
January 27, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
More than 35 aspiring baseball and softball umpires met for instruction from a number of veteran officials as part of the Mid-Michigan Clinic on Jan. 21 at Bullock Creek High School.
High school-aged umpires who received instruction are part of the MHSAA Legacy Student Officials Program, which works to provide opportunities and mentoring to high schools interested in becoming part of the officiating avocation.
Saturday’s instructors included 10 who worked at the college level and three who worked in the minor leagues last season. The clinic received financial support from the Mecosta-Isabella-Clare, Midland and Bay Metro officials associations, plus all adults who attended including those who presented. All legacy umpires also received indicators, brushes and hats as part of their clinic experience.
“An excellent staff provided a full day of training, and it was wonderful to see so many faces young and old,” said MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl, who serves as director of officials. “This is one of the largest clinics of its kind in our state, and we’re thankful for the work of all who had a hand in such a great event to provide instruction for our next generation of umpires.”
Officials also received assistance from the Lancers’ baseball and softball programs, and in return all revenues from the clinic were donated to those programs.
Be the Referee: Registration - Part 2
December 18, 2014
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl continues last week's explanation of the steps to becoming an MHSAA registered official.
"Be the Referee" is designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating and to recruit officials. The segment can be heard on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the school year on The Drive With Jack Ebling on WVFN-AM, East Lansing.
Below is this week's segment - Registration Part 2 - Listen
Today we are going to build on last week’s segment which dealt with how a person becomes an MHSAA Registered Official.
Once a person completes the first step in the process – passing the basic Officiating Exam through the MHSAA Office, the next step is to get that person connected with a local officials association that specializes in that sport across our state.
These local associations are the ones that do the training – whether it’s on the court, on the field or video training – to get, for example, that person interested in basketball completely immersed in the rules, mechanics and coverages of what it takes to become a good basketball official.
Past editions
Dec. 10 - Registration Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 3 - Legacy Program - Listen
Nov. 26 - Sideline Management - Listen
Nov. 19 - 7-Person Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 12 - Blocking Below the Waist - Listen
Nov. 5 - Tournament Selection - Listen
Oct. 29 - Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Oct. 22 - Preparation for Officials - Listen
Oct. 15 - Automatic First Downs - Listen
Oct. 8 - Officials & Injuries - Listen
Oct. 1 - Overtime - Listen
Sept. 25 - Field Goals - Listen
Sept. 18 - Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 11 - Pass Interference - Listen
Aug. 25 - Targeting - Listen