February 11, 2012 -- The Umpire School's Medical Coordinator, Mark Stubblefield, is the subject of a Q&A in the latest issue of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association magazine, NATA News. Click here to read it.

February 1, 2012 -- Vero Beach, FL: More than 30 students are reviewing their rule books and sharpening their on-field techniques as The Umpire School closes in on graduation day of its inaugural 28-day professional course at Vero Beach Sports Village (VBSV) in Vero Beach, Fla.  The students have resided at VBSV since January 8 and have been instructed by Professional Baseball Umpire Corp (PBUC) supervisors, who possess more than 150 years of professional umpiring experience, including some at the Major League level. 

The Umpire School is the only all-inclusive professional baseball umpire school of the three

accredited ones with on-site field and classroom instruction; housing; dining; and recreation, thereby eliminating any need to commute from a hotel room to a baseball diamond.  It is also the only one with a medical coordinator, Mark Stubblefield, who has been providing students with nutritional and equipment tips, as well as physical exercises designed to help keep them healthy and on the baseball diamond.

“We have really been impressed with the focus, dedication and growth of our first class,” Executive Director of The Umpire School Justin Klemm said.  “They have fostered camaraderie among themselves and have helped and encouraged each other to improve.  I think the fact that they’ve been able to stay here, eat together and have all of Vero Beach Sports Village’s other amenities at their disposal during their down time has played a major role in their development.”

“The fact that the staff here are the same instructors who will guide and evaluate you through your career in professional baseball made it an easy choice when looking for the right school,” said Chaz Stodola from Roswell, Ga.

Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 4.  A number of students from The Umpire School will be recommended to attend the PBUC Evaluation Course in March at VBSV.  They will be joined by students recommended by the other accredited umpire schools, as well as those umpires who completed last season working in the Coastal Plain League.

PBUC will then select umpires at the conclusion of its Evaluation Course to fill openings in the Arizona or Gulf Coast Leagues.  Others may be offered positions as reserve umpires in other baseball circuits, like the Coastal Plain League, based on need.

PBUC oversees the training and employment of umpires in the Minor League Baseball system throughout the United States and Canada.