80 high school and college umpires gathered to receive Major League instruction Saturday at the Edge Sports Complex, 2220 Old Vestal Road, Vestal.  The second annual NYS Baseball Umpire's Clinic attracted umpires from all over the region and featured several Major League umpires heading up the staff.

Lance Barrett served as the Director and Chief Instructor of the clinic.  He became a Minor League Umpire in 2003 and spent time in the Eastern League umpiring at the Double-A level and made a number of visits to NYSEG Stadium working Binghamton Mets games.  He became a fill-in at the Major League level in 2011 and has umpired in over 150 big league games.

Ted Barrett was another featured instructor.  He has been a Major League umpire for 16 seasons.  He brought a wealth of experience with him.  Now, a crew chief, he worked the American league Wild Card game in 2012, the 2007 All-Star game, the 2007 and 2011 World Series and worked home plate for multiple no-hitters and was the plate umpire for Greg Maddux's 300th win in 2004.

Also featured was Rob Drake who joined the Major league umpiring staff in 2010.  He has been a professional umpire for 21 years.  He worked his way up through various minor leagues including a stint umpiring in the Eastern League.  Drake worked home plate when Felix Hernandez threw a perfect game on August 5, 2012 vs. Tampa Bay and umpired the 2012 National League Wild Card game and the 2012 American League Championship Series.

Those attending the day-long clinic received instruction and advice on positioning, situations, form and game control.  The Major League staff members and other professional umpires teaching at the clinic also answered questions pertaining to umpiring as a career and shared their experiences in their baseball umpiring careers.

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