Rangers Youth Academy athletes complete UMPS CARE Leadership Program

Earlier this week, 34 Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes graduated from the UMPS CARE Official Leadership Program and obtained their certification to begin umpiring baseball and softball games.

The free six-week course, held every Monday at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, prepared the young umpires to call games on the diamond and behind the plate. Upon receipt of their certifications, athletes were connected with local umpire assignors, who will staff them for youth ball games in the area.

In addition to receiving their UMPS CARE Program certificates, all participants were given $150 UmpsAttire gift cards to purchase their own umpiring equipment.

“I wanted to participate in this training program to become an umpire so that I could see the game from a different perspective,” said Rangers Youth Academy athlete Amaad Garrett. “I feel as though the knowledge from umpiring will give me another advantage while playing.

“Becoming an umpire also gives me the opportunity to earn money, which will help pay for new baseball equipment, showcases and more.”

As Garrett mentioned, the program not only provided these high school student-athletes a new education and avenue to earn money, but it also offered the baseball and softball players a different perspective on the game.

“I learned from the umpire training the actual definition of a fair ball, a foul ball and an appeal call,” said Shantia Haymer, an Irving High School junior. “Furthermore, a strike is anything over the plate between a person's knees and the letters of their jersey. A ball is anything outside the plate, above the letters, or bounces before the plate. Also, I learned when calling outs on the base, an ump has to be at a 90-degree angle from the bag.”

Haymer, a rising softball star for the Rangers Youth Academy, is looking forward to applying her newfound knowledge as an umpire and player.

Garrett also shared how the program has changed his perspective as a player, saying, “Umpires are critical components of the game of baseball and deserve every bit of recognition they can receive for their hard work. I have seen that umpiring is just as physically and psychologically demanding as playing and requires diligence and focus just as any job or sport requires.”

College athletics recruiting workshop presented by UT Arlington

On Saturday, Oct. 28, Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes 14 and older will have the opportunity to hear from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Associate Athletic Director, Mishael Berger, on the college athletics recruitment process.

From 9-10 a.m. in the Youth Academy classrooms, athletes will learn from Berger about college eligibility requirements, the overall process of college athletics recruitment and key steps to take in preparation for recruitment.

Registration for the free presentation is open now at rangers.com/academy for baseball and softball players ages 14-18.