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Pre-Season Preparations... |
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The season is fast approaching. Last week I received my spring training assignment. This week we have our yearly meeting. The meeting consists of reports from the MLB office on items such as benefits and security, as well as sessions on health and fitness and the umpire assistance program. We also receive reports on manual and rules changes.
This year we have many rule changes. Baseball is the one sport that has had very few changes through the years. Last year saw the addition of a working umpire to the MLB rules committee, Larry Young. This is the first time in history that an umpire has a vote on the committee. This is very much a step forward. Larry is joined on the committee by Sandy Alderson, chair, Bob Beban, Rod Carew, Andy McPhail, John McHale Jr., Terry Ryan, John Schuerholz, and Bill Stoneman. This committee has done a nice job of simplifying and clarifying the old book.
>This week we will also undergo our annual physicals. We have blood work, our eyes examined, EKG's, an orthopedic exam, and a concussion baseline test. This year I did the stress-treadmill test and finished with the running matrix and the squat test.
>MLB has all the vendors who supply our equipment here, and we try on all of our new clothes and equipment. They are then shipped home for us.
>These tests and meetings take three days. On Thursday, the UMPSCARE foundation is holding a charity golf tournament. I'll be the anchor of my team with my 28 handicap! |
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