Moving Up the Ladder

The Hammer An Umpire Podcast

In this episode, host Kevin Weber discusses the ABS system, 4-man mechanics, Angel Hernandez, and how to move up the ladder.

Kevin has been umpiring since his high school days, however, he’s been working consistently in amateur baseball since 2006. His story is the tale of what umpire camps and perseverance can accomplish. Kevin demonstrates that the umpire camp route is an alternative to the professional umpire school path. His road to success has been through self-study, camps, and clinics, most notably Bruce Doane’s camps. Kevin has attended the Doane February camp, 2-man advanced camp, and 3-man camp on multiple occasions. He also attended the CBUA 4-Man Invitation Clinic twice. Kevin has worked high school (MHSAA), JUCO (MCCAA), NAIA (WHAC/Crossroads), and NCAA Division I (MAC) (Horizon) (MVC), II (GLIAC), and III (MIAA) contests. He's also worked a Big Ten Conference non-con game in 2023 along with MAC and Horizon League series, and MVC non-con games. In 2022, Kevin worked the GLIAC NCAA DII Conference tournament and two NCAA Division III Regionals. In 2023, Kevin worked the NJCAA Division III, Region 12 tournament, and the MIAA Tournament. Additionally, Kevin has worked the MHSAA State Finals three times (2015, 2019, & 2023). He is always trying to hone his umpire skills to continue moving up the umpiring ladder. Kevin took on an assigner role, assigning varsity MHSAA baseball games for the West Michigan Umpire Association and tournament and travel team games for the Grand Rapids Umpire Alliance. He is happily married, has one daughter, and teaches high school Social Studies and English in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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