Monday, August 21, 2006

Crews now being formed for 3-man fall ball

By Mike Brancheau & Kris Carlstadt
Fall Ball Co-Coordinators

Now is the time to submit your name if you are interested in joining a crew for Three Man Volunteer Fall Ball. Instructions and prerequisites will be found in this article.

For those of you not familiar with Three Man Volunteer Fall Ball (3MVFB), it is a long standing program in NBUA that allows umpires below the College tier to work 3 man mechanics in a few games during the FALL season on a mostly volunteer basis. The structure is relaxed, the onus is on instruction and learning, and the games are fun. Most, if not ALL of the games are between Community College teams.

It should be pointed out that in recent years NBUA has significantly grown its business of PAID games of various levels during the fall season, essentially September and October games. This program, 3MVFB, represents volunteer games that are outside the regular assignment process. It is important that the difference is made clear.

3MVFB crews are usually comprised of A tier and B tier umpires, although depending on interest, C tier umpires can be added to crews. Each crew will have an assigned crew chief and three or four other members. Generally, there are four or five members on each crew. Depending on the number of games available for 3MVFB this year, 4 or 5 crews will be assembled.

Each crew will be assigned anywhere from 3 to 5 games, usually on weekends. The structure of a Fall Ball game is a plate umpire working all innings and the base umpires rotating positions every few innings. The crew member(s) who are not on the field monitor the game and keep notes on crew actions and mechanics. This is one of the great benefits of working 3MVFB, the extensive and immediate feedback on your general mechanics and specific 3 man mechanics.

Ideal candidates for these crews are A and B tier umpires who can make a commitment to working a couple weekends of volunteer games. If you are mostly interested in working NBUA's late season PAID games, you should not volunteer for a fall ball crew. Veteran C tier umpires are welcome to submit their names as well, and will be added as umpires are needed to fill crews.

Special Notice:   If you are a "newer" A tier umpire who may be eligible for HS post season in 2007, or a veteran A umpire who is eligible for HS post season, and you want to hone up your 3 man mechanics, then THIS IS THE PLACE!

Special Notice 2:   Training credit will be allocated to 3MVFB participants who work games.   Details to come.

Each umpire on a crew will be notified as soon as possible. The "season" kicks off with an all umpire meeting where schedules are presented, 3-man mechanics discussed, and other business for the "season" is talked about.

Hopefully, we are getting started on time this year.   It is our hope that crews will be set and stay together for their 3MVFB schedule.

If you would like to be part of a crew for three man volunteer fall ball, send an email to Mike Brancheau at mbran2000@yahoo.com .

You must include this information:

Your name, Current tier level, Years NBUA experience, Previous fall ball experience. Also, please indicate if you would like to be considered as a crew chief.

Any questions on the 2006 3MVFB program may be submitted to the program coordinator, Mike Brancheau, mbran2000@yahoo. com