Led by a distinguished lineup of instructors, including Larry Young, former MLB Crew Chief and MLB Umpire Supervisor, Dan Merzel, MLB Call-up Umpire no. 107, and Macon Hammond, AAA Umpire, among others, the clinic focused on the Three Umpire System, game management, and team building.
The European instructors included Zdenek Zidek, the first European umpire in MiLB; Dirk Biehl, World Cup umpire; Fabrizio Fabrizi, WBC and Olympic Games of Tokyo umpire; and Marco Taurelli, World Cup umpire.
The clinic schedule was structured to include Classroom, Field (working on positions and Rotations), and Cages sessions starting on the evening of February 15th and finishing with the morning session on February 18th. Classes ran from 9:00 AM to around 10:00 PM, offering a packed schedule of learning opportunities for participants.
The event marked a significant milestone for WBSC Europe, as the Baseball Advanced Umpiring Clinic was the first of its kind. Participants benefited from unparalleled expertise at an unbeatable price, ensuring an enriching experience for all involved.
The success of the clinic was evident in the positive feedback from participants, highlighting the quality of instruction and the learning opportunities provided.
Looking ahead, the next umpiring clinic by WBSC Europe is set to focus on the two-umpire system and is scheduled for autumn 2024.
Plans for the next advanced clinic are based on interest. It is expected to take place no earlier than 2026.
Cover photo by Glenn Gervot
