I hope everyone is doing awesome! I hadn't updated this blog for a long time and it is time!
I have talked to almost everyone about it but I am getting closer to getting into the Minor Leagues. The Evaluation Course was full of talent (60 guys- 23 from each school and 13 CPL guys) and an intense 11 days. Although the training and routine was less strict than school, the intensity and stress level was probably even greater. Class was from 8-10 AM each day and the rest of the day was all ours. Each umpire was assigned 3 or 4 games during the week in which they were formally evaluated by the PBUC evaluators. These are the same guys who will be evaluating myself and all other Minor League umpires all the way up until AAA. To say the least, those 11 days were a vital time to make a strong impressions.
There were a total of 6 evaluators and all of them were at most of my games. Talk about pressure! A lot of guys got super nervous but I seemed to be composed after my first game jitters. Prayer always helps :)
Several current and past MLB Umpires showed up during the course to give advice and tell some great stories. The course was held at Vero Beach Sports Complex, which is the old "DodgerTown." Posters with the likes of Jackie Robinson and Sandy Coufax filled the hallways and rooms. The place was filled with rich history.
Out of the 60 guys at the course, about 20 of them recieved jobs in Professional Baseball if the season started March 20th. The next 12 were suggested for hire in the Coastal Plains League to start the season. The Coastal Plains League (CPL) is a premiere collegiate summer wood-bat league in North and South Carolina where potential draft picks and Division I players hone their skills in the summer. Umpires assigned from this league are just a phone call away from being "called up" into Professional Baseball. As soon as there is any movement in the entire Minor League system, it means that there is a spot in Rookie Ball. That is when a call is made to the next guy on the Coastal Plains League list to get "called up". The next 25+ made the reserve list for the Coastal Plains League. These umpires move into the CPL when a CPL umpire gets moved into Professional Baseball.
I was fortunate enough to be recommended for hire in the Coastal Plains League! Although I expected a better placement, I have realized that the league will be a great opportunity to prepare myself for Professional Baseball. To be honest, I am thankful that I am in this situation rather than being placed directly in Pro Ball. It would be quite a hurdle to jump from High School to Professional Baseball.
So far, things are looking promising with my current work too.
I will continue to update you guys. Thank you all for the support and I love you guys.
Here is a link to the CPL:
http://www.coastalplain.com/
-Taylor
