• There were certain areas of coverage I wasn't sure about...responsibilities in certain situations that over the years I picked up differing opinions.  It was nice to hear straight from the source.

• 2002 Clinic - Listening to Jim Evans explain the history and/or why we have some of the rules in baseball.  This expanded my understanding about the game and helped me become a better umpire.  2003 Clinic - More structure to the sessions and more detail with respect to all the aspects of the two man mechanics.  After doing so much one man, it was great to listen to the discussions of 'what to do when' I also found the video on all the balk situations extremely useful - the more times you see it, the more you understand it and are able to recognize them.

• Proper protocol when coming from behind the plate on a clean hit to the outfield.  To wit - calling "I've got the line" or "I've got the ball" depending on which way I break.  Learning how to cue my partner what I am covering so we are working as a team, rather than trying to watch the ball, him and the runners and get into position.  Eliminates a lot of guess work for both of us.  If I'd ever been taught what the significance of those two instructions is, I'd forgotten it. 

• Jim Evans is a master at showing you where you should be - on every type of play.  I really enjoy how he explains the "why" behind every "what."  You just can replicate the experience the man has.

• Clarification of responsibilities.  The two handouts "Basic Responsibilities" in combination with the lectures were most valuable.

 
2) For you, what was the most valuable thing you learned in the cage/plate work?

• Improved stance to help keep head stationary.

• Using my voice and certain signals I wasn't using before.

• Good opportunity to be scrutinized by more experienced umpires that looked at you 'up close' as you did your thing behind the dish.  Got some good suggestions which helped me 'do gooder.'  Opening my legs more in my stance to get lower in the 'slot' without bending over was great! 

• Relaxing my shoulders while in my stance.  I work from the conventional box stance, but I've always lifted my shoulders, mentally hiding behind my chest protector.  The instructor got me to relax my shoulders and so far this spring I haven't found my neck tight and stiff the night after a game.  Or worse, having to twist and turn my head between innings to loosen my neck in the latter part of the game. The slot mechanic. heel-toe

• Establishing the proper slot, and tracking with the eyes.  Just when you think you know what you're doing, you realize there's a lot more to learn.    "Don't let the ball get under your eyes."  I'll never forget that one sentence.  It made so much sense.

 
3) For you, what was the most valuable thing you learned in the field instruction?

• Better foot work for clearing the catcher on ground balls.
 
• The proper way to move in multiple out situations.  Picking the runner off @ 2nd, double play, etc...  

• Learning and understanding more of the aspects of being a base umpire helped me so much during the 2002 season - I had fun and no longer dreaded being assigned on the bases.  

• 1.  The timing of making a call at first - watch for the foot, listen for the ball, raise the head and look to ensure the first baseman has the ball and then make the proper call.  For years I made that call too fast, so I developed crutches to slow myself down.  Now I know the right way to do it and the timing becomes automatic, just like Jim Evans said.  2.  Not going in too deep on a ball hit to second base.  I have a bad habit of busting too far inside and then watching the ball pass a long arms reach away from me enroute to the first baseman.  I've never felt like I was going to get hit, but too often found myself too far in.  The hesitation step on a ball hit to the right side has helped already.  Also working on the proper pivot step helped.  I have a bad knee so I've always crabbed my way through my button hook.  The proper turn puts no load on my knee and allows a smooth turn that I come out of cleanly.  Was well worth learning.

• Patience, patience, and patience.  Get to the correct spot, let the play develop, and don't rush to make the call.  Anticipation of the play is good - anticipation of the call is not.  Great advice!  The instruction on the double-play footwork from "C" was great.

• Actually seeing and participating in proper positioning.  It is one thing to go over these concepts on the white board; they become real on the field.

4) How were the instructors?
 
• Very good.  For the most part, easy to talk with.
 
• Awesome.  Each one there with a true desire to make everyone better.  They worked very hard in every aspect of training, and was very much appreciated.

• Great.  Very helpful.  Not condescending.  Plenty of them.

• Knowledgeable, and able to communicate toe proper information easily.

• They were great, enthusiastic, and very professional

• Knowledgeable, able to teach their knowledge, concerned that we understood their message, able to relate to situations, very professional.

• The instructors were excellent.  I had some plate positioning questions I thought of late Sunday afternoon.  After the dismissal I cornered two instructors who were short and stocky like myself and asked them questions about dealing with Ben Davis sized catchers and Mo Vaughn style leaning hitters.  They took the time to explain and demonstrate how they handled those situations and gave me some tutoring after everything was officially over.  Like the entire staff they were friendly, professional and helpful. 

5) If you could single out one event that made the whole weekend  worthwhile, what would that event be?

• The entire clinic - what a great experience to learn about being an umpire.  

• The lead-in Friday night set the tone for the weekend.  It was fast and furious and got me charged up and ready for everything that followed.

• How many associations get the opportunity to have that many top-level umpires come and train with them?  Not many.  I learned a lot just by standing around and keeping my eyes and ears open!  You couldn't help but learn 10 new things to take your umpiring to a higher level.  It doesn't get any better - anywhere in the world - than Jim Evans and his crew.  We are very fortunate to have had him two years in a row.