Here is a preview of only some of the workshops at the 2007 Blue Convention Self Improvement - Only a Workshop Away. Stay in tune for further updates on the workshops because more will be offered.

Instructor - Grant Hood
Mentoring, Why, Who, What and How

Instructor - John Ariss
Common Misconceptions on the Rules
Too often an umpire, especially a new umpire, makes a correct call only to be inundated with help from spectators, coaches and players who think they know the rules. To be successful, every umpire must know the rules - not just the complex ones but the simple, frequently occurring rules. This presentation will review many common rule misconceptions and help you, as an umpire, develop your skill and confidence by knowing the correct ruling.

Instructor - Aaron Poulin
Balancing Family Life and Umpiring
Do you have a job, go to school, or are you enjoying a career? Is there a significant other, friends, possibly even children in your life? Everyone some hobbies to pass your free time. On top of that, you officiate slow pitch or fast pitch softball. Where do you find the time in your busy schedule? Or do you? Is your officiating in balance with the rest of your life? What are your priorities, your goals, and your dreams? Come and explore more than time management and find out if your officiating life is balanced with the rest of your life.

Instructor - Bob Constantin
Slo-Pitch Plate Mechanics - Working the Dish in Slo-Pitch
Bring your experience and be ready to participate in this interactive workshop that will focus on plate mechanics, game situations and the handling of adversity.

Instructor - Greg Pipher
Fast Pitch Plate Mechanics
Where does a good strike zone come from? Why do good plate mechanics improve an umpire’s game control? What are Softball Canada evaluators looking for with regards to plate mechanics? What will make you a better plate umpire?

If you are asking any of the above questions, you need to be a part of this workshop. During this session, the following topics will be discussed:
1. Plate Mechanics: Getting in the proper position
2. Consistency and how to achieve it
3. Visible and Audible Mechanics: How they impact Game Control
4. Timing: What is the appropriate delay
5. Evaluators: What are they looking for?
6. Grass Roots: How to teach new umpires the Plate Mechanic basics

Through interactive demonstrations, group discussion, and video analysis, participants will analyse, in depth, plate mechanics and their role in the complete umpire.

Instructor - Serge LaFlamme
Psychology of Umpiring
We are never enough prepared for a ball game, physically and mentally. The way to be prepared mentally is very different from one to another and there is no standard to follow. This workshop will provide you some tips to be sure that you cover all the aspects of the mental preparation, being then ready to face all kind of situations.

Concentration, visualization, goals, auto evaluation, and ways to
communicate with all participants (players, coaches, spectators, ground crew, scorer) will be covered and, of course, all the questions of the participants will be answered

Instructor - Joel Balberman
One Pitch at a Time - the Mental Skills of Umpiring
Joel will be presenting an informative session which will include topics on focus and concentration, anxiety reduction strategies, emotional control, self-talk and self-evaluation. A workshop not to be missed.


Instructor - Doug Cundall
Clinics - Their Presentation and Tricks to Their Success

Instructor - Frank Omoe
Hints, Clues and Politically Correct Calls

Instructor - Murray Harvey
Slo-Pitch… Goin' Solo
This presentation is directed towards those officials who most frequently umpire a “One Person Slo-Pitch Game”. Murray Harvey will attempt to illustrate the proper diamond positioning for a variety of game situations. He will also provide a brief description of the inside plate position and the plate umpire’s use of the set position. The dissertation will end with a few interesting game scenarios and umpires’ reactions to those occurrences.

Instructor - Jonathan Lieberman
Importance of Team Work - Backing Your Partner(s) Up the Right Way

Instructor - Brian Sharples
Line-up Cards, D.P. & Replacement Players

Instructor - Bob Henning
Coaches and Players - Working the Two-Way Street
Ever wonder what the coaches and players are thinking about you?
What is their game plan to try and work you?
How do players and coaches try to take advantage of the rules?
When something goes wrong, how can you get them back on your side?
How can you earn their respect and increase their confidence in you?

Learn all about player/coach – umpire relationship management.
Speak with a national team world class player.
One on one with a world class coach.

This may be the most interesting session ever as we unlock the secrets of Working the Two-Way Street.

Be there.

Instructor - Kelly Hunter
Putting Fun Back into Umpiring
Need to put the fun back into umpiring? Kelly Hunter will show you how with a fun and action packed presentation with photos and video of weird things that has happened to umpires. She will also give tips on different ways of instructing clinics.

Instructor - Gary Skjerven
The Local Umpire - The Desire to Stay at Home
This workshop, instructed by Gary Skjerven, will focus on individual commitment and how do we best support the umpires that choose to contribute to the game at the local level. This workshop will be filled with tips and ideas – so ensure to bring yours too.

Instructor - Bonnie Gostola
The Best Team on the Diamond
This workshop will address communication issues; umpire to umpire, on and off the diamond. We will discuss various tools, techniques, and approaches, which will assist the working umpire to have more control of the games, especially, when outnumbered by the players, coaches, and the fans.

Instructor - Mitch Zuk
Obstruction

Instructor - Jack Van Bynen
Attitude - On and Off the Diamond
It seems in our sports today, the concept of good sportsmanship has been lost. The image you project as an official is a product of your character. Good sportsmanship is not just what you do on the field, it is hopefully the way you conduct your life both on and off the field. Join Jack Van Bynen in this workshop for the golden rules of good sportsmanship.

Instructor - Gabe Babineau
Game Control

Instructor - Carley Parish
Blue Legal Liabilities
Umpire Liability - on and off the field. What are the current insurance policies in place to protect umpires from being sued? To protect them in case of injury. In addition, what are their responsibilities on the field and how do they become liable. How can we as umpires avoid being liable.

Carley Parish will be looking at the Softball Canada Insurance provided to the umpires, along with the Provincial Insurance and addressing issues such as compensation, perhaps what happens if an umpire is attacked on the field, if there is lightening etc.

Instructor - Lucie Carmichael
Training Young Umpires

Instructor - Mark Gough and Joyce Bellini
New Mechanics - 3 and 4 Umpire Systems
There have been many changes in the past few years to reflect the ISF rules. This is a workshop not to be missed. An informative presentation with Mark Gough on New Mechanics in the 3 and 4 umpire systems. Joyce Bellini will be present should there be questions in French. NOTE: An entire French workshop may be offered depending on registration numbers.

Instructor - Brian Van Os and Denis Belanger
New Rules for 2007 – 2008
There have been many changes in the past few years to reflect the ISF rules. This is a workshop not to be missed. An informative presentation with Brian Van Os on new rules for 2007 and 2008. Bring your questions because Brian is the rule guru. Denis Belanger will be present should there be questions in French. NOTE: An entire French workshop may be offered depending on registration numbers.

Yves Beauregard

Chairman

yvesbeauregard90@sympatico.ca