Umpire School holds camp for girls

Justin Klemm, Executive Director The Umpire School,™ conducted a camp last Sunday, June 23, for 32 members of the Baseball for All Baseball Academy at Vero Beach Sports Village (VBSV) in Vero Beach, Fla. Klemm instructed girls, ages 8-18, on home plate and base work and also put them through a variety of drills during the four-hour camp that began at 9 a.m.  

Two women, Perry Barber, who has umpired in Spring Training games for more than 20 years, and Robin Wallace, a member of the 2004 USA Baseball Women's National Team that won the gold medal in the first Women's World Cup of Baseball, assisted Klemm with the camp. Participants in the umpire camp were at VBSV for several days attending instructional camps and competing in tournament play.

 "Being invited to teach at the Baseball for All camp was an incredibly unique opportunity on which The Umpire School could not pass," Klemm said. "As an industry leader, we must be proactive in the inclusion of women into all areas of baseball, including the umpiring profession.  

"This clearly falls in line with Minor League Baseball's Diversity Initiative and expands our efforts to provide equal access and opportunity to anyone with a genuine interest in the game. We have a responsibility to our leagues, teams and our profession to expand opportunities for women who deserve the chance to pursue a career as an umpire in professional baseball."  

Baseball For All is a 501c(3) organization that provides opportunities for girls and women to participate in the game of baseball as players, coaches and umpires.