Blue Crew Resources

This clinic is not intended to make a manager or coach an umpire.  It is designed to give the interested manager and coach a better understanding of what it takes to be a PHBA umpire, how we train our umpires, and the expectations of the Umpire Leadership Team (ULT) for members of the Blue Crew to do their job. 

A combination of classroom and field training, the 2.5 hour clinic covers the basics of Base and Plate responsibilities expected of PHBA's Blue Crew.

The LEVEL 1 classroom clinic is mandatory for any volunteer umpire NEW to PHBA.  This clinic is the  first step of a 2-step process necessary to qualify as a PHBA umpire.  The clinic will provide the new volunteer with an understanding of what PHBA is about, the expectations of the Umpire Leadership Team (ULT) of its umpires, and the basics of being a Base umpire.  This class will provide the new  volunteer with preliminary knowledge to be applied during Field Day training.

This is one of several Classroom clinics offered tor umpires new to PHBA prior to attending Field Day clinics.  New umpires must attend one of the classroom clinics BEFORE attending Field Day training. (edited) 

This is a meeting of senior level Blue Crew members selected by the ULT to assist in training both returning veteran umpires and umpires new to PHBA.  The purpose of this meeting will be to familiarize these trainers on the Field Day training agenda, their training assignments during the Field Day, and identifying the areas of training to be covered during the Field Day.

Field Day training is mandatory for all new umpires as well as all returning LEVEL 1 & 2 umpires.

For all new umpires, Field Day training is the second step of the 2-step process towards becoming a PHBA umpire.   The Field Day begins to apply what was learned in the classroom to actual field play.  PHBA players will be on hand to assist by providing live-action play to help the new umpire get comfortable with game play.

NOTE:  Field Day training will incorporate Base and Plate training for all LEVEL 1 & 2 umpires.  This combined training is essential to building a more solid foundation and understanding of umpiring plus improving the flexibility of the Blue Crew to cover games during the season.

Plate training is incorporated as an extension to LEVEL 1 & 2 Base training   This combined training is essential to building a more solid foundation and understanding of umpiring plus is intended to improve the flexibility of the Blue Crew to cover games during the season.

This plate training exposes all umpires to the complete elements of the game besides just working bases.  It will allow all umpires to determine if they are capable of handling the rigors behind the plate.  Beyond just calling balls and strikes, you will learn the duties and responsibilities of the Plate umpire, how to work with your partner as well as proper positioning for plays at the plate and 3rd base.

Returning LEVEL 3 and above Plate-qualified umpires can use this as a refresher course in plate mechanics as preparation for the coming season.

Field Day training is mandatory for ALL returning LEVEL 3 and above umpires.

Are you a returning LEVEL 3, 4, 5, or 6 umpire?  Are you ready to step up to the faster, more realistic aspects of baseball and softball at the National and Western level?  Do you feel you are capable to take on the role of Umpire in Chief (UIC) for Pioneer, American, and eventually National and Western ball games?  If you answered 'YES' to these three questions, then the advanced mechanics portion of our umpire training Field Day is for you.

This training will familiarize you with the rule differences and the faster, unique elements of National and Western division games, as well as the responsibilities of UIC for Pioneer, American, and National and Western games.  It will require returning LEVEL 3 umpires to extend their Field Day training to accommodate this additional training for qualification.

For ALL returning LEVEL 4, 5, 6, and 7 umpires, this clinic is mandatory and is a refresher course as preparation for the coming season.

This clinic is intended to instruct Team Field Prep volunteers on the proper way to prepare the baseball or softball playing field prior to start of a game.  This field preparation covers batters boxes, foul lines, coaches boxes, batting circles, etc. in accordance with field preparation guidelines.  This clinic also shows field prep volunteers how to use a batters box template and chalk line guides to lay out foul lines.  A final element of this clinic will be how to lay out a correct batters box (baseball or softball) without a template.

Be a PHBA Scorekeeper!  Learn how to tell the story of your child's baseball or softball game.  Become familiar with the terms and actions of a baseball/softball game so you can record all the activities that lead to a game's final outcome.

The final hoorah for the Blue Crew before Opening Day.  This is the one opportunity during the season where the entire Blue Crew (veterans and new umpires) can come together as a unit to introduce themselves to each other.  This get-together gives the ULT the chance to reinforce our expectations of the Blue Crew for the upcoming season, review and clarify rules, address any questions the Crew may have, hand out recognition and awards from the preceding season, and generally talk shop over BBQ and soda (water included).  This is an ALL Blue Crew affair intended as final preparation for the new season and establish the Blue Crew bond.  So, please join us!