The BV Umpiring Working Group, in conjunction with Melbourne Winter Baseball League, continued the delivery of the Behind the Mask program for new umpires over the past two Tuesday evenings.
Umpire Operations Officer David Welsh, Development Officer Geoff Dunn, and Member Engagement Manager Alan Sutherland led the sessions at Point Cook Baseball and Softball Club.
The first session was theory, dedicated to umpiring general principles, safety, and common rules, followed by the second session with on-field training. This primarily focused on a single-person umpiring system, including calling balls and strikes from behind the pitcher, moving around the umpire working area, and calling safes and outs at the bases.
We had 11 umpires complete the theory and five continued on to complete the practical session. These new umpires were mums, dads, carers, and juniors from Sunshine, Footscray, Newport, and Port Melbourne Baseball Clubs.
The Working Group would like to thank Neil Douglass from Point Cook Baseball and Softball Club and all of those who attended.
There are more dates for the BTM program being announced soon. If you would like to host an umpire training session, please email technical@baseballvictoria.com.au.