The 2024 Umpire Placement Course is a nine-day instructional, evaluation and placement course. Baseball umpires that attend are eligible for placement into the American Association, Frontier League, Atlantic League, Northwoods League, West Coast League, and Mid-America League for the 2024 season.

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The course dates are February 2-11, 2024. The initial days of this course will primarily focus on classroom sessions, mechanics training, and on field drills, as well as rotations and umpire responsibilities. This will also include instruction on managing advanced game situations. The remaining days of our course will be mainly devoted to the evaluation of student performance and the selection of qualified umpires for placement into the American Association, Frontier League, Atlantic League, Northwoods League, West Coast League, and Mid-America League for the 2024 season. You will have the opportunity to work live games during the evaluation portion of the course. There will include continued advanced training during this time on specific areas such as; league administrative responsibilities, off field behavior and protocol, ejections, and league directives to prepare you for the season.

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Curriculum

We aim to provide advanced training for umpires that attend our program, so they are best equipped for placement, as well as professional and collegiate baseball. Our instruction, field work, and mechanics training are all designed to improve umpire mechanics and to equip each umpire with greater confidence while on the field. The staff of instructors and curriculum we have put together will assist every umpire in attendance, regardless of your ability. We want to help you become the best umpire you can be.

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Staff

Our instructional staff includes current and former MLB, MiLB, and NCAA umpires, as well as Professional Umpire School instructors, bringing you one of the top teaching staffs umpiring has to offer. 

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Click here to find out more information about our staff. 

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Placement

UPC's purpose is meant to be an advanced extension of training you received during umpire school, or from your current umpiring ability. Umpires will be trained and evaluated using similar criteria, as well as hiring standards that are used for umpires in professional and collegiate baseball. You will be evaluated of course, based on on-field performance. Good judgment on plays and managing game situations is crucial, as well as baseball instincts, timing, and on field positioning while working the 3 umpire system. Additional things our staff is seeking are poise, demeanor, and the ability to recover from advanced game situations or adversity while umpiring. Our staff will provide real time, instant verbal feedback based on your performance during the course, as well as written evaluations upon completion. Our goals are to make an umpires strengths stronger and to improve upon their weaknesses. We want you to be the best umpire you can be.

Each umpire at the completion of the umpire placement course will meet with our staff for individual evaluation of your current ability, and given a decision if they will be placed into the American Association, Frontier League, Atlantic League, Northwoods League, West Coast League, and Mid-America League for the 2024 season.

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2024 Course Tuition Information

MLB Umpire Prospect Development Camp Student: $525

Wendelstedt Umpire School Student: $525

Military Veteran Student: $525

Standard Student: $695

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*Balance Due at registration. This discounted student tuition above is only available to students who are attending MLB’s Umpire Prospect Development Camp or Wendelstedt Umpire School in January of 2024. 

*You must make your own lodging reservation through our host hotel's room block or elsewhere.

*Earlier enrollment enables us to guarantee hotel availability and adequate staffing.

*All Payments are Non-Refundable.

*Payments by Credit or Debit Card at registration are subject to fees.

*Registration to attend UPC is subject to staff approval. 

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Lodging Information

Our host lodging partner for the 2024 Umpire Placement Course in Fort Pierce, Florida is the Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Pierce, conveniently located off I-95. Rooms are available on a limited basis through the Hampton Inn (includes breakfast daily, complimentary WiFi). They are first come, first serve and are at a discounted rate of:

 

$120 per day - Double Occupancy (Double Queen)

$130 per day - Single Occupancy (King)

*(Above rates do not include a 12% tax) 

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To make your reservations, you can do it online by going to our exclusive page that the hotel has set up: 

Hampton Inn & Suites For Pierce 

-Select Date of Event

-Click on Special Rate

-Under Group Code type UPC 2024

-Click on Check Room & Rate

 

You can also contact the staff of the Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Pierce at (772) 241-6700. Mention “Umpire Placement Course or UPC 2024” when making reservations.

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This rate is only guaranteed until (January 19, 2024). Umpires typically room with another umpire to split the cost of the room, which makes the above double occupancy rate very affordable. 

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Includes

You will receive professional umpire training and the opportunity for placement for the 2024 season, as well as:

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• Affordable lodging rates for duration of the Umpire Placement Course.

• Breakfast daily at host hotel (must be staying on site).

• Student ID Badge.

• UPC Shirt.

• UPC Hat.

• 9 Days of Professional Instruction from MiLB Umpires and Professional Umpire School Instructors w/Special Guests.

• Over 50 Hours of Instruction and Evaluation (9am-5pm Daily).

• Receive individual and group instruction on the 3-umpire system.

• Understand and develop a consistent strike zone.

• Receive instruction on positioning, timing, voice and signals when working the plate and bases.

• Develop methods for handling situations at the professional and collegiate level.

• Examine and apply OBR and NCAA Rules as well as interpretations.

• Analyze the philosophy towards professional and collegiate umpiring; including attitude, appearance and advancement.

• Work simulated game situations. Students participate as base runners and fielders while instructors set up game situations. (Part of the responsibilities as a participant include fielding, running, and acting as a player in simulated game situations. Therefore if you are uncomfortable, this may not be the camp for you. Additionally, if you have a medical condition that prevents you from participating, please provide this in advance from your personal/family doctor.)

• Work live games (pending weather). You will receive instant feedback from our instructors.

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What to Bring

• Black/Blue Jersey's, plate & base pants, hat, jacket (optional).

• Chest protector, leg guards, mask, protective cup, ball bag(s), indicator, plate brush.

• Baseball Glove.

• Notepad, pen/pencil.

• OBR Rule book, NCAA Rule book, (optional items).