More live scrimmages time and place TBD.  Apprentice and C-Tier umpires will work with B-Tier, A-Tier and T-Tier umpires on scrimmage games.  This is a watch, work and learn situation where sometimes you will be on the field working games with umpires of various tiers and sometimes you will be watching other umpires from behind the fence perhaps doing a “Did you see what they did?”  “Do you know why?” sort of thing.  Heckling is not encouraged but sometimes is unavoidable.

We all get together and work out the answers to the High School Test.  Passing the NFHS Test is a requirement for umpires who want to be assigned games with the NBUA.  It is also required by the WOA before they allow anyone in the state to work High School or Middle School games.

All tiers are welcomed to the study session (Apprentice, C-Tier, B-Tier, A-Tier, T-Tier).  We will be broken into groups by last name.  Each will be assigned a specific set of questions and will present their answers to the group.  The sample questions can be downloaded, in advance from the Arbiter thru the WOA Central Hub.

A link will be provided on the Arbiter website that allows officials to go in and take the HS Baseball test.  There are also a number of required clinics and a background check that must be fulfilled.  It’s all explained on the WIAA website accessed via Arbiter.

Another day of scrimmage games overseen by A-Tier and T-Tier coaches.  Time and place To Be Determined.  Bring all gear.

This is our annual High School Rules night with Tim Stevens.  Tim (for those that don’t know) is a long time member of the NBUA and also a former member of the NFHS rules committee.  He will take us through any rule changes that have come down the line and will also outline some of the main differences between the MLB rules and NFHS rules.  The first games of the year are generally High School games so this is good to know.  Also, there’s going to be a test.

Due to last minute family issues, Tim will not be able to do this training in person.  Instead this has been changed to a Zoom meeting.  So, you have a choice, you can stay at home and watch this over Zoom, or you can join us all at the BCS hall and watch this together.

All Tiers (Apprentice, C-Tier, B-Tier, A-Tier and T-Tier)

More practice games

You know the drill by now

The idea here is to get the new and slightly used umpires into actual game situations.  We will attempt to find teams that are practicing before their real season starts so the scores mean nothing.  A-Tier and T-Tier umpires, especially those who are mentors, will attend the games and coach the trainees.  We will rotate umpires into and out of the game so that the coaching can occur (hopefully) when you’re not on the field.

Please bring all your gear to the game and prepared to do plate and bases.  If you don’t have all your gear yet, some will be available at the field but, you really need to get used to your own gear, especially whatever mask you’re going to use during the season.

We won’t know exactly when and where these games are being played until a day or so ahead of time so pay attention.  You may get e-mails indicating that certain games are available and you’ll need to pick one and let your trainers know which one you will attend.

This is another online session.

Subjects include:

Mechanics: plays at the plate, double play coverage, unusual/close plays
1-man mechanics
Expectations for B to A and expectations of A/TT feedback to B

Another online session.

Subjects include:

Arbiter
Arbiter Pay / Wisely
When to get help / when to give help
Balks
Force Play Slide Rule (** Checking to see if Tim S will Cover)
Designated Hitter (** Checking to see if Tim S will Cover)