MLB Umpire Camp: Training for Future Umpires Amid Tech Challenges

Umpiring Aspirants Flock to Milwaukee Amid Technological Shifts in Baseball

In the heart of Milwaukee, a group of over 100 individuals gathered with dreams of one day officiating Major League Baseball games. These prospective umpires arrived early to the Milwaukee Brewers ballpark for a chance to participate in MLB’s one-day umpire camp, marking the first step toward a potential career in the major leagues.

The camp is a gateway for a fortunate few, offering a chance to be selected for a comprehensive development program scheduled for January. Success in this program might lead to a role in the minor leagues and eventually, the major leagues.

Attendees at the July MLB Umpire Camp in Milwaukee began their day practicing the proper technique for an umpire’s most common calls: strike, ball, safe, and out. Becky Sullivan/NPR

MLB officials acknowledge the mounting pressure on umpires in an era where technology plays a significant role. Advances such as replay reviews, viral videos of incorrect calls, and the automated-ball-strike (ABS) system demand precision like never before. Yet, these aspiring umpires see technology as an ally in their quest for accuracy.

“You don’t want to be up on a big screen and being highlighted from making mistakes,” said Reginald Davis, 45, from Racine, Wis. “You make sure to practice your craft. You study every single day. You watch videos to improve yourself. That’s the most important thing.”

The Training Regimen

The camp attracted a diverse group of participants, spanning various ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience. Under the guidance of seasoned MLB umpiring officials with a collective 300 years of experience, the attendees engaged in exercises covering the fundamental aspects of umpiring.

Throughout the morning, participants honed their skills in calling outs, mastering their stance behind the plate, and positioning themselves for different game scenarios. Kevin O’Connor, an MLB umpire instructor, emphasized the importance of “field presence” and attention to detail, such as maintaining a wide stance and tracking the ball with their eyes.

Most of the Milwaukee attendees came in hopes of earning a coveted invitation to MLB’s all-expenses-paid umpire development program in January. Six current MLB umpires began their careers at an MLB Umpire Camp, the league says. Becky Sullivan/NPR

Technology’s Impact on Umpiring

The integration of technology into baseball has shifted the dynamics of umpiring. Tools like the ABS system provide real-time data on pitch locations, challenging umpires to adapt to new standards of precision. Jim Reynolds, an MLB umpire supervisor, noted, “The umpiring now is better than it ever has been by a mile. But everybody’s expectations now have risen and risen and gone through the roof.”

With the ABS system being tested in the minor leagues, umpires face the challenge of maintaining their composure even as calls are frequently challenged and sometimes overturned. Cris Jones, who oversees umpires in Triple-A, emphasized the mental resilience required in this evolving landscape.

The act of crouching behind the catcher is no simple task. An umpire’s feet, arms, chest, and head must all be in specific positions, instructors said, and their eyes must track the pitch all the way into the catcher’s glove before standing up to make a call. Becky Sullivan/NPR

Embracing Technological Tools

Despite the challenges, the aspiring umpires in Milwaukee view technology as an asset in their journey. “I think it makes us want to be perfect. But I also think that the goal of this profession is to be perfect, so we should want to be perfect anyway,” remarked Leo Dlatt, 21, from the Chicago area.

Stephen Proudfit, 48, of Big Rapids, Mich., expressed optimism about the role of ABS, stating, “It’s just going to be another tool for us to get the game right. That’s all we want to do.”

Mistakes are part of the game, Proudfit noted, referencing an instance from this year’s All-Star Game where ABS was used to overturn a call. “But we’re in a game where errors happen. You hit .300, fail 70% of the time, and you’re in the Hall of Fame. That’s the game that we play,” he concluded.