Dr. Smoll Clinic is a requirement for Managers and Coaches who will be All-Star Managers and Coaches. As always, there is no guarantee that there will be any other clinics in the area. Dr. Smoll does these types of clinics worldwide and there is no assurance that he will be doing other clinics that can be attended if you miss this one.
 

The Tom Dedin Clinic is a hands on clinic for coaches to teach them how to train your young ball players in the basic skills of the game as well as what drills to use and how to schedule and run a practice. These coaching skills are invaluable for a youth baseball coach. There are many coaches who have played the game but teaching it is another story.

The Tom Dedin Coaches clinic is offered to all of the managers and coaches in Districts Eight and Nine Little League free of charge. There are two day long sessions for the week-end of March 14th and 15th. The purpose of the clinic is to offer hands on training for managers and coaches or other interested persons to teach them how to properly instruct their Little League players to correctly execute all of the skills needed to play baseball and softball. There are many skill training instructions offered. How to run an effective practice and coaching at game time are two of the many facets of this training. Tom Dedin is highly qualified, He has coached the US team to victory in two olympic programs as well as coached the University of Chicago to two championship seasons. Tom has also served as a baseball ambassador to many foreign countries at the request of the United States to teach baseball and softball as a good will ambassador. You can't go wrong when you follow the guidance and instruction of an expert in the field.
 

Dear Blue,

Join us for our 2009 Field Mechanics Training March 7, 2009 from 09:00 - 14:00 at Whitman Field.  The location of Whitman which is adjacent to Soundview on 15th NW and NW 90th.  This is a turf field with ample room for two diamond training events and Plate Mechanics!  As always, count on area training experts to support training for baseball, softball, all levels.  We'll offer advanced techniques for the returning, standard basic techniques for all softball and baseball  umpires plus, we expect all attending will have a great time learning and practicing our techniques and routines on the field.

Feel free to FWD this to message to all your League umpires and interested parents who will enjoy training provided by top notch umpires!  For special sessions regarding Rules or Field Mechanics training, please let Charlie Clark (RLLUmps.Net) or me know of your league needs ASAP.  Here are the areas we plan to cover:

• Drill on the basic vocal and signal techniques
• Plate mechanics (philosophy and technique)
• One Crew Mechanics (60' diamond/90' diamond)
• Two Crew mechanics (60' diamond/90' diamond if interested)
• Angle/Position, in-field fly, plus Pause, Read, React
• Softball pitching and base-running
• Baseball illegal Pitches, (Balk 90' diamond + philosophy)
• Plays at the Plate
• Pregame Conference

Thank you all for your continued support as we look forward to upcoming Rules Clinics and Field Mechanics training sessions posted on the WA D8 LL calendar.  For your convenience, all Field Locations are also posted on the web site.  Please let me know if you have questions or comments.

Finally, the response received regarding a separate training session for the 90' diamond and Plate Mechanics was zero.  Should your League umpires wish to have a special session, please let me know and we'll arrange it!   

Thank you NWLL for the use of this most excellent field for training our District wide umpire crews!

Sincerely,

Jim Masciotra, Umpire Consultant, WA D8 LL