Greetings WMUA Umpires!

We hope you season is going well.  Here are several mid-season observations:

• Batters for the most part seem to be abiding by the batter’s box rule – good job!
• Remember good communications with your partner includes signals & being verbal.
• Hustle to get the proper positioning / angle & be stationary when making the call.
• Insist on receiving line-up cards from both head coaches at your plate meeting.
• Track the pitch with your eyes & keep calling strikes (if the pitch is there).
• Be attentive & abide by the 30 minute rule for thunder or lightning – safety first!
• Keep having fun!
  

Also, we get better by working more games and there are numerous opportunities to work summer games once the MHSAA season ends – especially you newer umpires.  As primarily a baseball umpire, I’ve been asked to help solicit potential umpires for some USSSA games to be held in the greater Grand Rapids / Rockford / West MI area this summer.

Trent Heil, an assignor for USSSA baseball is looking for umpires to work travel team games the weekends of May 23, May 30 and June 6 at the Art Van Sports Complex & area fields.  Here are the details for the various tournaments:

May 23-24 is the AA NIT at Art Van Sports Complex...
The ages range from 9-14U.

May 30-31 is the Great Lakes Major NIT (Very Good Ball). The ages range from 9-14U as well.

Another tournament is May 30-31 in Battle Creek, and MHSAA Districts are the 30th, so it will be a great opportunity for newer umpires not working a MHSAA District to get more experience.

Pay Scale:

• 9-10s - $30.00/6 inning game (most games also have time limits at all age groups)
• 11-12s - $35/6 inning game
• 13s - $40/7 inning game
• 14s - $50/7 inning game
  

You can contact Trent at (303) 588-4184 or email him at trent.heil@yahoo.com if interested.

Best Wishes on the rest of your season!

President Norm Taylor