The WBSC Europe Baseball Umpiring Clinics 2023 aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of both aspiring and existing WBSC Europe baseball umpires, with a focus on the fundamentals.
The Clinics were ed by instructors Zdenek Zidek (Field focus) and Marek Vicar (Cages focus). In addition to the lead instructors, the clinic was supported by a team of skilled educators, including Marco Screti, Serge Makouchetchev, Marco Taurelli, and Christian Posny.
The WBSC Europe Baseball Certification Clinic drew participation from 44 candidates from Austria (1), Belgium (1), Bulgaria (3), Czech Republic (2), France (2), Great Britain (1), Hungary (1), Ireland (2), Italy (15), Netherlands (2), Slovakia (4), Slovenia (2), Spain (6), Sweden (1), and Switzerland (1).
The main focus of the clinic centered around the two-umpire system and general umpiring mechanics. Participants were immersed in an intensive learning experience, gaining insights into various aspects of umpiring. The clinic introduced a new certification system aligned with the WBSC Europe Baseball Umpire evaluation, assessing candidates in eight key areas:
- Professionalism off the Field
- Communication
- Relationship with others
- Administrative Duties
- Coachability
- Overall Plate Work
- Overall Base Work
- Rules' knowledge.
Following evaluation, 32 individuals successfully passed the certification requirements.
Two participants were granted conditional approval, contingent on demonstrating improvement in their English proficiency during the upcoming WBSC Europe Baseball Advanced Umpiring Clinic scheduled for February 15th-18th, 2024, in Toulouse, France.
8 candidates did not meet the criteria for certification.
The Baseball Umpiring Fundamentals’ Clinic provided training for ten certified umpires looking to build the skills and knowledge necessary for officiating baseball games at high levels.
The Baseball Umpiring Fundamentals’ Clinic drew participants from Belgium (1), Bulgaria (1), Croatia (1), Georgia (1), Germany (1), Great Britain (1), Spain (2), and Sweden (2).
Zdeněk Židek, WBSC Europe Umpiring Committee Education Chair, expressed his satisfaction with the overall outcome, stating, "Generally, it was a great success in my opinion. We saw 44 participants striving to become WBSC Europe Umpires, and most of them succeeded with great results."
The upcoming WBSC Europe Baseball Advanced Umpiring Clinic in February 2024 offers the WBSC Europe Umpires an opportunity to further develop their skills.
Cover photo by WBSC Europe Umpiring Committee
