Monday, December 10, 2007

2008 Training Requirements & Policy Announced by Board

By Mike Brancheau
Training Committee Chairman
Mbran2000@yahoo.com

Attendance at NBUA training has always been a requirement to be eligible to work games for this Association and to move up through the ranks and realize the many benefits of NBUA membership.

However, the specifics as to what the policy was or quantifiable amounts of required attendance have historically been difficult to ascertain.  

This year, the Board of Directors, is publishing the required training attendance for all levels and for all possible member activities within a baseball season.

The table illustrates these amounts. What may look like a complicated formula can easily be broken down if we look at what the purpose is for each column.

Minimum Attendance to be Game Eligible. All members of NBUA are required to attend "some" NBUA offered training each pre-season.   With the exception of 1Y requirements, these numbers are low.They are meant as a compromise between acknowledgment of the skills sets of our veteran members, and the expectation that all members demonstrate interest in "preparing" for the upcoming season.

Attendance at NBUA training over the past several years has been extraordinary.It is the express goal of the Training Committee and Training Staffs to make the hours offered to you interesting, relevant, helpful and fun!   Your exemplary attendance demonstrates we are moving in that direction, and will continue to do so.

This category was discussed at length by the Board.   Many were concerned that publication of such minimal requirements might cause members to reduce their planned attendance, i.e., "I only have to come to one Saturday, that is all I will do." However, we opined that this is not the mindset of the majority of our members.   Most of you always plan to attend as much training as you can, and we hope and encourage you to continue.   I believe strongly that you will be pleased with the product you see.

Attendance to be Eligible for Promotion, and Attendance to be eligible for State HS Assignments.   Promotions to higher tiers within NBUA is determined by many factors. Gavin Anderson (Evaluations Chief) and his team are obviously the most critical components of determination of promotion. However, it was felt that members should demonstrate additionally a commitment to NBUA and commitment to improving their skills by attending a minimum amount of offered Training. State assignments is another area where a minimal level of Training for each members is expected to be eligible.

Finally, to clarify the requirements for CC level umpires minimums. CC umpires who wish to be eligible for CC games during the season MUST attend at least one of the two special College sessions. In addition, they must also meet the minimum requirement of A level umpires for eligibility for HS and other non college games, therefore they have a minimum requirement of six hours, 2 college and 4 A level. Hours offered reflects CC specific hours plus A level hours.

We believe clear enumeration of this policy benefits all members and makes our association stronger. Questions will definitely come up, and I encourage you to write me directly for any clarifications. We will publish another article before the start of training to remind members and clear up any questions.

I look forward to seeing you all at the January kick off meeting and at the start of our training season.