4B UMPIRE DEVELOPMENT
WELCOME
Welcome to our 4B Umpire Development website where our goal is to Be So Good They Can't Ignore You (BSGTCIY)
Our Story
Get to Know Us
4B Umpire Development was birthed in March 2020 when the nation went into shut down mode because of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Baseball season was cancelled and the need to find a way for umpires to continue their training was at a paramount state. We launched 4B as a training tool for minority umpires by weekly zoom conferences. We initially started with eleven umpires from Mississippi and quickly grew to over fifty from all over the nation. Umpires who worked in the College World Series, Major League Baseball minor league affiliates, Division 1 conferences, and high schools were in attendance on a weekly basis.
The mission of 4B Umpire Development is to train umpires at all four bases, hence, the name 4B Umpire Development, and to ensure umpires receive the high-level training necessary for advancement from high school to the NCAA Division I level. We provide situation-specific training, education, and mentoring to those interested in advancing to the next level.
4B Umpire Development gives individuals the opportunity to improve understanding of mechanics and judgment while working live and simulated games. We also provide extensive classroom instruction and discussion with video presentation.
4b Umpire Development, LLC have quality clinicians who have worked in the Major League Baseball Minor League system, College World Series, SEC, ACC, C-USA, SWAC, Southland and a host of other conferences.
Our Philosophy is simple……BE SO GOOD THEY CAN’T IGNORE YOU (BSGTCIY)
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Mission
To ensure that umpires receive adequate training necessary for advancement in the baseball profession from recreation to Division I programs.
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Objectives
Increase the number of umpires working on the collegiate level.
Identify umpires and provide training, education, exposure, and mentoring.
Provide opportunities for umpires to be seen/recognized and evaluated by conference coordinators/assignors and regional observers.
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4B Umpire Development Camp Topics
The How of getting it done
Training
Education
Exposure
Mentoring
Professionalism
Character, conduct, ethics
Rules knowledge & Application
Overcoming Road Blocks and Obstacles
Conflict Resolution
Strategies to mitigate unconscious bias
Perfecting your craft
Finances/Insurance
Network Opportunities
4B Umpire Development Vision
OBJECTIVE
Increase the number of umpires working collegiate baseball.
Identify umpires and provide training, education, exposure and mentoring.
Provide opportunities for umpires to be seen/recognized and evaluated by conference coordinators/assignors and regionals advisors.
All Videos
All Videos
Clinic Ball/Strikes Mechanics
NCAA Umpire Prospect Camp 1
NCAA_Prospect camp-RH
Umpire Devotions
Devotions by Shane LeBoyd
Umpire Devotion: The Ejection
No umpire enjoys ejecting a player or coach, but sometimes it’s necessary to maintain order, uphold the rules, and protect the integrity of the game. Ejections come when behavior crosses the line, disrupting fair play and creating an unhealthy environment. Similarly, in our spiritual lives, there are things we must “eject” to stay in alignment with God’s will.
Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Just as an umpire must remove disruptions for the good of the game, we must remove sin, negativity, and distractions that keep us from growing in faith.
As you consider the role of ejections:
Know When to Take Action – Just as excessive arguing or unsportsmanlike conduct must be addressed, we must also confront sin and bad influences in our lives.
Stay Calm and Firm – An ejection should never be personal but done with authority and fairness. Likewise, we must let go of harmful habits with a steady heart, trusting God’s wisdom.
Protect the Integrity of the Game (and Your Faith) – The goal is not punishment, but correction. In the same way, God calls us to remove sin so that we can live more fully in His purpose.
Umpire Devotion: The Lineup Card
Before every game, the lineup card is exchanged, checked, and confirmed. It sets the foundation for the game, listing the players, their positions, and the order in which they will take the field. A well-prepared lineup ensures structure, fairness, and accountability—just as God has a divine plan and order for our lives.
Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Just as a manager carefully crafts a lineup to maximize success, God has already prepared a path for each of us to follow.
As you handle the lineup card:
• Trust the Plan – Just as each player has a place in the lineup, God has positioned you exactly where you need to be for His purpose.
• Make Adjustments When Needed – Sometimes, a lineup needs to be changed due to injuries or strategy. In life, we must be willing to adjust and trust God’s leading when unexpected changes come.
• Stay Accountable – Umpires ensure the lineup follows the rules. In the same way, we should be accountable to God’s Word, living with integrity and purpose.
A game without a lineup would be chaotic, just as life without God’s direction would be uncertain. Trust that He has written your name in His divine plan, and step onto the field with confidence, knowing you are right where He wants you to be.
May your decisions be wise, your heart be steadfast, and your faith be unwavering as you officiate the game and live out God’s purpose.
Umpire Devotion: Mechanics Matter
Every umpire knows that good mechanics are essential. Proper positioning, timing, and signals ensure the game is officiated with accuracy and consistency. Without disciplined mechanics, even the best knowledge of the rules can fall short. In the same way, our walk with Christ requires spiritual discipline, consistency, and faithful execution of what we know to be right.
James 1:22 reminds us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Just as an umpire must not only know the rules but also apply them correctly, we must not only hear God’s Word but live it out daily.
As you focus on your mechanics:
Position Yourself Well – Just as good positioning helps make the right call, positioning yourself in God’s presence through prayer and Scripture keeps you aligned with His will.
Be Consistent – Umpires must make fair and steady calls; likewise, our faith should be consistent, not wavering with life’s challenges.
Communicate Clearly – Your signals and voice matter on the field, just as your words and actions reflect Christ in your daily life.
Good mechanics lead to respect, trust, and confidence on the field. In the same way, spiritual discipline leads to a strong, faithful walk with God. Stay steady, be intentional, and let your actions—both on and off the field—speak of integrity and wisdom.
May your mechanics be sharp, your calls be confident, and your faith be unwavering as you step onto the field today.
Umpire Devotion: The Strike Zone
Every umpire knows that the strike zone is the foundation of calling a fair game. It requires consistency, focus, and confidence. A well-called strike zone keeps the game balanced and ensures that both teams have a fair opportunity to compete. In the same way, God has given us a spiritual “strike zone”—a standard of truth, righteousness, and obedience that we must uphold in our daily lives.
2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” Just as an umpire must correctly judge the strike zone, we are called to rightly handle God’s truth and live according to His standards.
As you focus on the strike zone:
• Stay Consistent – Just as pitchers and hitters rely on a steady strike zone, the world needs to see believers who are unwavering in their faith and values.
• Be Confident in Your Calls – An umpire must make decisive calls without fear of criticism. Likewise, we must stand firm in our faith, even when others challenge us.
• Use Discernment – A good umpire knows when a pitch is just outside the zone. In life, we must seek God’s wisdom to distinguish between right and wrong.
The best umpires don’t change their strike zone based on pressure or opinions, and as followers of Christ, we shouldn’t compromise God’s truth to fit the world. Stand firm, be fair, and trust that when you call life according to God’s Word, you are making the right decisions.
May your strike zone be sharp, your heart be steadfast, and your faith be unwavering as you step onto the field today.
Umpire Devotion: Showing Up on Time
In the world of umpiring, showing up on time isn’t optional—it’s essential. It sets the tone for the game, shows respect for the teams, and reflects your dedication to the craft. Being punctual is about more than just being present; it’s about being prepared, focused, and honoring the responsibility you’ve been given.
In the same way, God values our faithfulness in showing up—in prayer, in service, in our daily walk with Him.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
God moves in perfect timing, and He calls us to be people who respect time—His and others’. When you consistently show up on time, you mirror God’s character of order, reliability, and faithfulness.
As you reflect on this principle:
• Be Ready – Umpires don’t scramble into position—they arrive early, prepare, and stay alert. Spiritually, we must do the same. Get in position daily through prayer and preparation.
• Honor Others – Showing up on time honors your fellow crew, coaches, and players. Likewise, showing up for people in life shows them they matter.
• Reflect God’s Order – God is not a God of confusion or delay. Your punctuality demonstrates discipline and reflects the excellence He desires in all we do.
Showing up on time isn’t just a small detail—it’s a big statement. It says, “I’m ready. I respect the assignment. I take this seriously.”
Let that same heart carry into your faith journey. Because just like a game can’t start without the umpire, the people around you may be waiting on your presence to bring peace, order, and purpose into their day.
May your steps be ordered, your timing be sharp, and your faith be steadfast every time you take the field.
Upcoming Schedule
Tournaments & Training
4B Training Sessions
Introduce/Discuss umpire philosophies
Provide/Utilize video case plays with discussion.
Test study prep and review.
4B Umpire Camps
Fall 2024
September 28-29 Wesley Barrow Stadium, New Orleans, LA--Canceled
October 5-6 Freedom Ridge Park-Ridgeland, MS--Canceled
October 12-13 Prairie View University, Prairie View, TX--Canceled
October 18-19 Mississippi College, Clinton, MS --Canceled
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There may be no better way to communicate what we do than through images. As you browse our site, take a few moments to let your eyes linger here, and see if you can get a feel for our signature touch.