Peninsula Baseball Umpires
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Pbumpires

   About PBUmpires

"Professional Umpires for Amateur Baseball".

Peninsula Baseball Umpires is a baseball umpires' association sanctioned by the Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) to umpire High School baseball in Florida as well as advanced League and Tournament baseball throughout the year.   Established in 1999, the association, is consistently rated among the best umpires in the FHSAA State Championships. PBUmpires crews have been assigned to the FHSAA State Championships Series 16 times in the last 16 years. "Constant and never ending improvement" is more than a slogan at Peninsula Baseball Umpires, it is our mission. Our members, many with collegiate and professional baseball umpiring experience, have proven time and again that they go the extra mile to provide the teams we umpire for the best qualified officials in Florida.

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PBUmpires welcomes clients seeking our professional level services. Based on PBUmpires' constant training and evaluation program, our umpires strive to provide the highest level of service possible, demonstrating superior rules, mechanics and contemporay game management knowledge and techniques.

Our clients return for PBUmpires services based on their experience with our members arriving on site to start the game on time, professionally equipped, dressed and prepared to umpire to the highest level, regardless of the level of ball game.

As part of our ongoing training and evaluation program for advancing umpires, PBUmpires sponsors a fall high school league in Pasco, Hernando and Pinellas counties with no administrative charges to the teams.

Our clients have included:

  • Baltimore Orioles
  • Detroit Tigers
  • Philadelphia Phillies
  • Toronto Blue Jays
  • Florida State League
  • Florida High School Athletic Association District, Regional and State Finals Series
  • Pasco County High Schools
  • Hernando County High Schools
  • PBU Summer & Fall High School Baseball Leagues
  • Various Youth & Adult Baseball Leagues and Tournaments in the Tampa Bay area

   Question of the Day!

Follow-through interference occurs when:
A: The pitcher's arm motion distracts the batter.
B: The batter contacts the catcher prior to the time of the pitch.
C: The bat hits the catcher after the batter has swung at a pitch and hinders action at home plate or the catcher's attempt to play on a runner.
D:
E:




   Training Topic of the Day!

Rule #: Topic: PBU Mechanics Sub: Pitch Timing

NFHS:
OBR:

Available Attachments:
No Attachments

Want access to many more topics? Click here to learn more about becoming a Member!

Pitch Timing is the process used to evaluate pitches as balls or strikes. Good timing provides the umpire with time to evaluate, and if necessary, change his mind about the pitch without tipping off what his initial impression of the pitch is. Timing for calling pitches is ostensibly identical to calling plays in the field, using the universal method:

1. See (track) the Pitch - from the Pitcher's hand to the Catcher's mitt.

2. Find the Baseball - Does the Catcher have possession or is the ball loose? Adjust to cover a loose baseball as may be necessary.

3. Make a Decision - Did the pitch touch the 3-Dimensional strike zone on its path from the Pitcher's hand to the Catcher's mitt?

4. Announce your Call - Stay down and set while verbalizing "ball", or stand to full height and signal/verbalize "strike". If the ball is loose, you may rise and get out of the Catcher's way while announcing "ball" or "strike".

   Got what it takes? Become a Member!

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PBUmpires is always looking for people interested in learning how to umpire above the youth baseball level and join the premier umpire assocation in the Tampa Bay area. We form New Umpire Clinics each Fall and Spring.  New Member training sessions have been held at Spectrum Field (formerly Brighthouse Field) in St. Petersburg and regular meetings and field clinics are generally held in Pasco County.

New Member training sessions consist a day (or series of week nights) of presentations and discussions learning baseball rules and how to apply them. You'll learn that most TV commentators are wrong about the rules quite often.  A second day (or series of week nights) will be dedicated to learning on the field, the 60', 70' and standard baseball field mechanics and the subtle differences between them. A third day will be spent umpiring games being mentored by highly experienced high school, collegiate and professionally experienced umpires dedicated to passing on the best information and skills of the craft to the next generation. Upon demonstrating a sound aptitude for the game and officiating it, you'll be invited to attend the New Member Orientation where you'll assume the mantle of PBUmpire!

Umpires certified by the FHSAA or another similar state high school certification organization, may be invited to attend the "Try Out Day", based on their level of certification and documented experience.

What we provide our members:

  • Superior rules, contemporary field mechanics and professional game management training.
  • Continuing Professional Education via:
    • Professional quality online member portal:
      • Rules and association resources.
      • Rules and mechanics presentations, quizzes, games and videos.
      • Association News, Event Schedule, Photo Roster, Photo Gallery, Video Gallery, Blog and Online Store.
  • Minimum of 10 member meetings and clinics led by collegiate & professional level umpires.
  • Objective online evaluation program with guidance to improve to the next level.
  • Game Assignment Opportunities (based on evaluated ability):
    • Select youth and adult league and travel baseball in Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando Counties;
    • High School Baseball in Pasco and Hernando Counties;
    • High School Baseball District, Regional and State Playoffs;
    • MiLB Spring Training Baseball in Pasco, Hillsboro and Pinellas Counties;
We welcome all who have an interest joining PBUmpires and:
  • are at least 16 years of age;
  • own or can obtain necessary equipment and uniforms;
  • own or have access to reliable transportation;
  • have the desire to learn how and effectively umpire to superior standards.

  • 1. Click the Become a Member image (left) and submit an online application.
  • 2. Attend all the new member training, clinics and evaluation sessions.
  • 3. Pass the baseball rules exam and field evaluation and you're on the field!

Upcoming 6 Meeting/Training Events:

Day/Date/Time: Event: Location/Notes:
  • Mon 12/16/2019 7:00 PM Member Meeting #4 See Member Portal
  • Mon 01/06/2020 6:45 PM Member Meetings #5 & 6 (Tentative) See Member Portal
  • Sat 01/25/2020 9:30 AM Member Clinic #7 & 8 (Tentative) See Member Portal
  • Mon 02/03/2020 6:45 PM Member Meetings #9 & 10 (Tentative) See Member Portal

    •    Coaches' Meeting Presentation Downloads!


    2019 FHSAA Coaches Meeting Presentation (msPowerPoint Show)