MLB News: MLB Hosts Camp for Marines

Today, Major League Baseball and the MLB Umpiring Department joined forces with the U.S. Military to host a one day, free camp for Marines at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. During the day long camp, the 36 participants were treated to four courses of training: calling ball and strikes, field-calling, health and nutrition, as well as training in properly handling unsporting coaches and players. The Marines got first hand training from some of the best retired Major League umpires. Also on hand, according to MLB.com, was Randy Marsh (director of MLB Umpiring), Supervisors Chcuk Meriwether, Ed Montague, Steve Palermo, Charlie Reliford, and Larry Young, as well as Bruce Froemming and Mark Letendre (Marsh and Montague had served in the military). Rich Rieker noted the massive amount of experience brought by the umpires, stating they had "22 World Series rings." The 36 were said to have a wide range of experience from none to those that had a good amount of experience umpiring. The camp was also an opportunity for MLB to possibly scout talent of those in the military. This is the third of such camps hosted by MLB, previously hosting a camp in 2009 at Camp Pendleton and last year at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Source: Jacksonville Daily News

Video: Marines call balls and strikes