FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What level of baseball should I have worked to attend your program?

There is no "minimum" level of baseball experience you need to have to attend O.U.T.S.  We have different levels of baseball games you can work while at O.U.T.S., and if you have zero experience, we will adjust training accordingly.  There will be graduates of the professional umpire schools in attendance, as well as umpires with collegiate experience, high school, and other levels.  Our training program is fluid enough where we can cater to all kinds.  We do not believe that one size fits all umpires...each umpire is an individual, and we adjust to what they need to further the career they are looking for.

What is the relationship between O.U.T.S. and the Northwoods League?

For the past three years, we have evaluated umpires that were recommended to our program for the Northwoods League.  Our partnership with the NWL has been a true blessing, and this year our founder, Bob Bainter, was named the league's Supervisor of Umpires.  With Bob's new position, he will be specifically looking for talent to fill the positions for the 2012 season.  There are 16 positions to be filled in 2012.  Anyone in attendance at O.U.T.S. will be considered for the Northwoods League in 2012!!!  You must remember that there are NO guarantees to any of our umpires that they will be hired.  With our input, Bob and the NWL will select these umpires based on ability and demeanor, skill and poise.  If this is something you would be interested in doing, O.U.T.S. is the program for you!

Do you recommend umpires for any additional leagues?

In 2012, with our merger with the P.U.C. camp, we are the largest tryout camp in independent baseball, outside of the three major league umpire schools.  The list of leagues is growing, but this season we will have over 50 jobs in independent collegiate and professional leagues!

What should I bring with me?

Each umpire should bring their own umpire equipment, along with a standard umpire uniform.  We always suggest that you bring a few different colored umpire uniforms since umpires tend to have a vast array of colors so if we partner you with someone with a different color, both umpires will have the same uniforms.  YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BUY ANYTHING SPECIAL just to attend.  If you have only one type of shirt, bring it.  We will find a way to work around it.  We are also going to work on having umpire equipment and uniform vendors in attendance on Day 1 of our program, to help you get anything you might need.  Also, bring an umpiring jacket!  Even though we're in Florida, it's still March, and it can get chilly outside, especially at night.  So always be prepared for any kind of weather.  Umpiring hats are of course necessary, and they can have any kind of logo on them that you possess.  Also, please bring an SD memory card to the seminar with you, as we will video tape your games and this will allow you to critique yourself if you have a laptop with you, or you can take it home and see how you've improved!

I have other questions...who can I contact?

You can contact our founder and owner, Bob Bainter, via cell phone at 309-363-9995, or email him at bob@outschool.biz