Tom,
In Australia a dedicated training night run by a qualified umpire trainer would include the basic qualification. Surely, given the amount of time, money and effort parents put into their children's cricket, that they could afford a little time to learn and understand the basic rules so the level of competency would increase.
In reply to Tom, we umpires do travle around to give talks but it is a question of whether we are wanted or not. And frankly a number of clubs and coaches are openly hostile to umpires. This is not an idle statement. Yesterday at tea during a senior international school cricket carnival I had to talk privately with the coach of a leading school. Three times he contradicted openly in front of both teams the umpires and misled them on a fourth occasion. I won't discuss the first, the second was when he told helpers not to secure the covers during a rain break because he didn't think it was necessary. The covers were secured by helpers after he was told nicely to follow instructions (and thankfully so because of wind gusts). Later during play he bellowed out across the spectators and players that the umpires had the over count wrong. He obviously was unable to comprehend how to count and which end is odd or even in the count. After the match I sought to speak to him about the suspect action of a slow bowler. he dismissed the request by advising 'he has been checked out" and walked off. The bowler's father heard the comment and approached me to discuss the matter because he believes one of his deliveries is suspect. Remedy is that the bowler is off the proper coaching. He has talent.
The previous week the coach of one regional team was openly hostile to umpires before play. During the match that I umpired with a Brisbane first grade umpire 'his' team were an undisciplined shambles. In the first 6 overs they committed every known team rule transgression that culminated in the mother of all send offs. The result was a team dressing down by both umpires, the first either of us has ever had to do in our combined careers.
It takes just one club and / or one coach to set the worst possible example in all levels of cricket and from experience it is usually the club or coach who will work against the officials that will cause a ripple effect of problems.
If as an unofficial umpire you are taught the Laws and rules and you continue to make mistakes you are either incompetent or biased and as such should be weeded out of the process. If you don't want to learn properly you should not be in the process. And there is just the chance that when you learn the laws and start umpiring you might thoroughly enjoy umpiring and join the senior ranks to help with growing the ranks.
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Topic: Panel Question Number 2. (Read 3019 times)