The Amateur Baseball Umpires’ Association (ABUA)
Formed in 1998, ABUA is the largest association of amateur baseball umpires in the U.S. In 2005, nearly 1,900 umpires joined the association. Its mission and purpose is to improve the quality of umpiring at the youth league, high school and college levels through innovative teaching and educational programs, and superior educational resources. ABUA protects its members with the most comprehensive insurance package – liability, accident medical and game-fee replacement – in the industry. Bottom line – a $40 ABUA membership provides all the benefits you want and need when you step on the field in 2006!
2006 Membership Registration
While many of you have renewed your membership for 2006, some of you tend to wait until the snow shovels are put away! Renewal letters and 2006 membership registration forms for all members were mailed in December; however, you can click on the following link to renew your membership via our on-line registration form:
I’m proud to state we were able to keep the same insurance benefits without raising membership dues this year; dues are $40 again this year. In this day and age, as you know, this is a major accomplishment. The ABUA insurance plan – with top-flight liability, accident medical and game-fee-replacement coverage – clearly is a great plan for the value. And it covers you while you work both baseball and softball.
Honig’s again will provide ABUA members with the best equipment and apparel at discount rates. Honig’s will provide all ABUA members with a 10-percent discount off most items and also provide a monthly promotion just for ABUA members.
Half-Price Membership Promotion Back by Popular Demand
The ever-popular half-price membership promotion is back! Click here to access the 2006 ABUA membership registration form that will allow you to sign up two NEW ABUA members and receive your membership for $20. The fee is $100 -- $40 each for the two members you recruit and $20 for your membership.
ABUA’s Runchey Leads Umpire Training in Guatemala
ABUA Chairman Dick Runchey had the honor and privilege to lead 18 umpires from the Guatemalan Baseball Federation during an intensive umpire camp February 19-23 in Guatemala City. Runchey was hosted and sponsored by USA Baseball and the Guatemala Baseball Federation.
“What a great experience,” said Runchey, who has conducted numerous international umpire clinics throughout his career. “The umpires were eager to learn as much as they could; I saw continual improvement in all the umpires. I wish I could have stayed longer.”
Preliminary plans are for Runchey to return to Guatemala for more training in January 2007, and to observe the umpires during league competition. “It is amazing how we, as umpires, can form such a great bond. I gained 18 friends and can’t wait to see them in game action next year. It is a beautiful country and the growth of baseball is increasing every year. I’m proud to say ABUA will be a part of it.”
In the future, Runchey hopes more countries will request training, and that ABUA/IBAF will play a major role in the training. In his role as the head of the umpire commission for the IBAF, Runchey will work at a number of international events and hopes to plan future umpire training events as a prelude to the competitions.
Added Runchey, “I hope I can take many of our qualified ABUA trainers with me on future trips.”
ABUA and USA Baseball to Work Together for the Sixth Consecutive Year
Members of the ABUA Executive Committee, including Dick Runchey, Ron Sebastian and executive director Ted Breidenthal, met Monday, January 16, in Durham, NC, with members of the USA Baseball staff. The group discussed umpire assignments for various national and international competitions. Concurrently, Runchey and Rich Fetchiet submitted the names of ABUA umpires to work International Baseball Federation competitions. Among the international events ABUA umpires will work include the Youth AA COPABE Pan Am Championships in Venezuela; II IBAF Women’s World Cup in Taiwan; FISU World University Baseball Championships in Cuba; 2008 COFABE Olympic Qualifier in Cuba; AAA Junior IBAF World Championships in Cuba; and the Intercontinental Cup in Taiwan. ABUA has assigned most USA Baseball events for the past five years. ABUA umpires who want to be considered for USA Baseball assignments in the U.S. should submit an umpiring resume to Ron Sebastian at rsebastian@nc.rr.com. ABUA umpires who wish to be considered for international assignments should e-mail an umpiring resume to Rich Fetchiet (plateman@umich.edu) and Dick Runchey (rrunch6050@aol.com).
2006 Bruce Doane Sr. Umpire Camp a Super Success
The 2006 Bruce Doane Sr. Umpire Camp, held February 3-5 at Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was a huge success for the 16th consecutive year. Even though the Super Bowl was played in Detroit the same weekend, the camp attracted 60 umpires to the three-day event.
Camp coordinators included Rich Fetchiet, Dick Runchey, Mark Uyl and Doug Wabeke. All told, 25 instructors with over 350 years’ experience at the professional, international, collegiate, high school and sandlot levels led the sessions. Numerous collegiate conference supervisors, evaluators and assignors also attended the camp.
The camp started in 1991 and has trained over 1,000 umpires, a number of whom return each year. The camp included live cage instruction, videotape critique of cage instruction, base work, classroom rules sessions, MHSAA baseball rules meeting, Honig’s equipment and clothing sold on site.
For more information about the 2007 camp, contact Doug Wabeke at dwabeke@grcc.edu or 616/234-4270.
I just want you to know that I gained years of valuable experience in just a few days as a result of this camp. An umpire often is judged based on plate mechanics and your instructors were able to correct most of my old bad habits and even provided some excellent career lengthening ideas to make my plate game much better. I still need to work on some things but I have the tools to help myself with some drills that I can use when I’m not on the field. I believe that this camp has helped me more than any other clinic or meeting I’ve attended. Thank you! I should have come to this camp 10 years ago.
Regan Ford
Kendallville, IN
I wanted to thank you for the information I received at the camp this weekend. The camp was very well organized and very informative. Also, the trainers were excellent and were very receptive to all questions. A special thanks to Scott Barry and Perry Costello, who took the extra time to point out things that I was doing right and wrong. I will definitely recommend guys from our association to attend with me next year. Keep up the good work!
Curt Gambrell
Maple Grove, MN
Just a note to thank you and your staff for another great umpire camp in Grand Rapids, MI. It’s amazing how much we pack into a couple of days but the quality of instruction and dedication of your staff make it all worthwhile. I spent a few minutes at our association meeting yesterday and told my fellow umpires to mark their calendars for next February if they were serious about improving and advancing their officiating careers. I thin there are 4-5 candidates who will respond.
Thanks again and have a great season.
Dave Taberski
Maple City, MI
You guys did a great job hosting and training. It was my first umpire camp and my first exposure to umpiring.
You have an excellent and well-organized camp. The materials you covered are very thorough. The process is excellent with a mixture of classroom and hands-on sessions. Your teachers are great.
Thanks again for a great experience. I already am planning on next year and will talk it up and recommend it to other umpires.
Gene Mahon
Metamora, MI
ABUA-Honig’s Special Offer!
IMPROVED DESIGN! Honig’s #K1-B Pro-Elite Chest Protector: New for 2006, we’ve taken the typical y-strap harness and replaced it with a mesh vest-style design for added comfort and ventilation. Adjustments at the shoulder and waist ensure a proper fit. Available in the BLACK version only. Sizes REG (12”) or XL (14”). Regular price: $148.95 ABUA MEMBER SPECIAL PRICE: $129.95. Offer good for a limited time. And don’t forget, ABUA members get 10 percent off baseball items EVERY day from Honig’s!
To order, call 800/468-3284.