Claire was home schooled for her freshman and sophomore years of high school but when she enters her junior year, she will have quite a tale to share with her new classmates.
That’s because Claire, a 16-year-old baseball player from Detroit, was so impressive during the UMPS CARE Charities Official Leadership Program that the course instructors named her the All-Heart Award recipient. The honor is given to one member of the class who shows the most heart and dedication during the 6-week course.
Making the news even more special was that she received the news during a special night with her fellow Official Leadership Program graduates and family members at Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers.
Everyone from the course was invited to come to the park early, watch batting practice from the field, meet the Major League Baseball Umpire crew on the field and in their locker room and then receive individual recognition during pregame ceremonies on the scoreboard.
But Claire, who didn’t even know about the All-Heart Award until that night, received one extra bonus – the opportunity to participate in the plate meeting with the MLB Umpire crew and both of the team managers. Claire got to be in the room where it happens so to speak along with Detroit Manager A.J. Hinch, San Francisco Giants Manager Bob Melvin and the MLB Umpire crew of Dan Bellino, Phil Cuzzi, Tony Randazzo and Clint Vondrak.
“I was a little surprised and a little nervous,” Claire said.
As for her dad, who was in attendance that night and was the one who encouraged her to take the course in the first place, was flat-out shocked.
“He just thought it was the coolest thing in the world,” Claire said.
For those who don’t know, the plate meeting is a pre-game conference when the umpire crew meets with the team managers and review each team’s lineup cards. It is a daily occurrence in the baseball world, but not for fans.
Claire has played baseball, mostly in the neighborhood, as part of the Rosedale-Grandmont Baseball League in Metro Detroit. She has played at first base and in the outfield, and had done some umpiring on the side.
Her father heard about a free 6-week umpiring course, and pitched the idea to her as a way to learn more about the game and to make some money.
“I figured, it’s only six weeks, why not try it?” Claire said.
Turned out to be a great decision.
Claire, 16, registered for the UMPS CARE Official Leadership Program in Detroit. Half of the instruction takes place on the field where teens learn umpiring mechanics. The other half is in the classroom where students like Claire learn leadership skills such as ways to de-escalate situations on the field, teamwork and financial literacy.
The goal of the program is to introduce teens to umpiring and mitigate the shortage of umpires in youth sports. UMPS CARE developed a curriculum in tandem with educators from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, with active and retired MLB and minor league umpires and local educators and youth umpires. In Detroit, the course was taught at Wayne State University.
Even though Claire had dabbled in umpiring for the last couple of years, starting as a fill-in at her younger sister’s game, she said the course definitely upped her game.
“I get less mad at the umpires now,” she said with a laugh. “And I definitely have more humility as a player. I also learned more about mechanics and being louder on the field. I’m not a loud person in general. Calling the game is definitely different than playing the game.”
Her work and dedication in the course showed.
“Claire was an absolute pleasure to have in our Official Leadership Program,” said Ian Land, one of the instructors in Detroit. “It was a privilege to instruct such a dedicated and capable young umpire. Her composure, professionalism, and commitment to learning were evident throughout the course. She exemplifies the qualities we hope to see in the next generation of officials.”
As a youth umpire, calling games mainly for 8- and 9-year-olds, Claire said she can earn about $40 per game. Normally, she works about two games a week. She also has refereed soccer games.
“My recommendation to other kids thinking about this is just to go for it,” she said. “If you like umpiring, great, but if not, the weeks go by fast, you meet new kids and you’ll learn more about baseball and yourself.”
And you might even get a cool memory.
Thanks Ilitch Sports + Entertainment for capturing some of the special moments from this day!
