Dodgertown to host umpire course

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Professional Baseball Umpire Corp. (PBUC) will conduct its annual Evaluation Course for 45 potential professional umpires beginning tomorrow, March 10, until March 21 at the historic Dodgertown facility in Vero Beach, Fla.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to train, instruct and evaluate future MLB Umpires at this historic facility," said PBUC Executive Director Justin Klemm. "Given the hand that historic Dodgertown and the Vero Beach community have had in the development of many Major League players, scouts and other baseball personnel, it is a natural fit for the Professional Baseball Umpire Corp. to grow roots here and cultivate the talents of our young umpires. Holding our annual evaluation course here in Vero Beach will be the first of many events that are aimed towards the proper development of amateur and professional officials alike."

The 45 candidates, who will participate in 10 days of classroom and field work, will be from the two accredited umpire schools and the Coastal Plain League. PBUC officials will observe and evaluate each candidate's potential as a professional umpire. At the end of the course, top performers will be offered positions as Minor League umpires, based on the number of openings available in the Arizona and Gulf Coast circuits. PBUC is the exclusive provider of professional umpires to Major League Baseball.

Reserve umpires will go to the Coastal Plain League, a 15-team summer collegiate league with teams in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, to continue to develop their skills in a competitive environment.

The historic Dodgertown facility in Vero Beach, Fla., served as the Spring Training home of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1948-2008. The facility is operated by Minor League Baseball Vero Beach.