kcfan102

I can't speak for Harry's school, I was at Jimmy's this past January/February and I can only tell you his philosophy. Jim only uses minor league umpires. He doesn't want any major league umpires at his camp. These camps are designed to get you to PBUC, not the majors. We had some AAA guys, some AA guys, and a lot of A umpires. His reasoning is that the A umpires are the ones who have been to PBUC the past year (they are all last years graduates) and they have a better idea than anybody what PBUC wants for it's umpires. However, they aren't as experianced in handling situations, so thats where the experience of the AA and AAA guys come in. And a lot of MLB guys have a lot of habits that will get you fired at PBUC or in minor league ball All together, it's a really nice balance. The first half of the camp is spent drilling in the afternoon with class in the mornings. The second half has class in the morning and camp games in the afternoon. There might have been two, maybe three days where we got out of there before 5:30. You get taught by Jim Evans, everyday. On the night before a test, if you have the curtains open, Jim will come by your room and answer any question you might have. With a question, always comes a story be prepared. Dick Nelson ("Sarge") is also on staff there. He was an supervisor for the Umpire Development Program back when that was still around. He is a great mentor and all around ass kicker when you are being lazy. There is no sweeter man alive than Mr. Nelson. As far as the evaluation course goes, at Jimmy's school, it's all simulated. The students and instructors run the bases and play defense with the field leader hitting fungo while other instructors are evaluating. You usually get three or four reps with nobody on and nobody out, and then six or seven reps with a slew of different runner and out combination. You work both plate and base in each game. The first few games, they kind of go easy on you and just let you go through the motions, but after that, anything goes and you better be ready for it. After your inning, an instructor talks to each student one-on-one to tell them what they need to work on, and occasionally, what they did right. You WILL get catchers/batters/runners interference, you will get runners on the same base, missed bases, obstructions, balks, balls out of play (a lot), and ejections (a lot of those too [and you have write reports if you toss an instructor]) And you never work with the same partner twice. Another thing they really work on is plate work. They have cages set up and you and your cage group go there during the afternoon drills/games. There were a few times we got into the cages three times that day. You go in with you cage group and you get seven pitches for a right handed batter and seven pitches to a left handed batter. The other members of your cage group are the batter, catcher, and the one feeding the machine with one guy on deck. The sessions are video taped and an instructor goes one on one with each umpire. As the camp moves along, they throw in the batter "pinching off" the slot, check swings, and judgment. When you go back to your hotel, you can see what you did right and what you did wrong, as opposed to just remembering what the instructors told you. We got in the cages 33 times. I'm sure Harry does something similar, but once again, can only tell you what happened at Jimmy's camp. All the instructors are class acts. They never turn down a question and are always willing to explain something in more detail if you don't understand. Nobody is treated differently just because of pro ambitions. I didn't have pro ambitions and i still got the same evaluation that other guys got. I can't stress this enough, the entire system is a well oiled machine, I'm sure the other school is as well. If I had pro ambitions, I would have went to PBUC. I was asked many times why I didn't want a pro job and if I would reconsider. GO TO A SCHOOL. The best part about these schools, and it doesn't matter which one you go to, is the friends you make. They are friends for life. You drill, train, study, and eat with the same people each and every day, the friendships alone are worth the time and money. The biggest difference I've heard between the two, is that Harry's is more of a working vacation, and Jimmy's is more of a boot camp type atmosphere. A guy I rode to class went to Harry's the past two years and thats what he said. There are MLB umpires as instructors at Harry's, which would be cool to meet a few of them, but at Jimmy's school, it was all business most of the time. But like I said that's what I hear. Mr. Mazza, I'm sure would love to fill you in and recruit you to go to Daytona. Really, you can't go wrong with either school. Harry/Hunter Wedelstedt is a good name in the world of umpiring, as is Jim Evans. With either school on your resume, getting jobs back home should be easier. Any questions, feel free to ask! MoBlue also went to JEAPU (we was my roommate) and he could answer questions too.

We had three or four guys leave because it wasn't for them. One guy had a death in the family and some other got injured and wanted to leave. Jimmy is usually good about giving refunds if you have to leave for a personal reason or if you have been "mislead". I don't know about Harry's school, I would assume he does the same thing?

We had a little over 120 to start and we had 111 at the graduation. That's what I heard from somebody.

And duel begins ;)

JEAPU was a trip of a lifetime. MoBlue was a terrific roommate. I made a million friend there that I will never forget. My entire cage group is going to PBUC... except for me. I would have gone if I had pro ambitions but the money and the travel, not to mention strong ties at home makes pro ball not something I want to do. I know this site has a Harry's logo on it and every thing, but in my opinion, Jimmy's school is top notch.

play ball... :(

Pro school is for sure the way to go. The experience is something you won't find anywhere else. Whether you choose Harry's of Jim's school, you are going to get the best education. You can't go wrong. However, I am partial to Jimmy's school for a couple of reasons, but that's irrelevant because you can't lose at pro school. Save up your pennies and go!

Nice job mazz! Go get em!

That may be, but I know someone who has a much better site. I was thinking maybe there could be a section on the forums about pro school? Both Jimmy's and Harry's schools could have their own section. Possibly graduates of a school can have some sort of badge on their profile info, that way prospective students would know who to talk to about pro schools? Just a thought. Love what you've done with the place, Warren.

Thats what some guys said haha. Me and another guy got noticed while doing a tournament in the fall by a guy who does NAIA. I did a intersquad game and was told we might be doing some non-conference NAIA games because I have little experience at that level. In conference, out of conference, who cares haha. It's a foot in the door no less.

Awww No love for Jimmy's School?

Where do you live?

Please let us know!

Same here.

Is there anything written anywhere saying I cannot wear an HSM or a pink shirt? No, there isn't. There very well could be where you work if you are apart of an association. If so, by all means, follow the rules. If the MLB guys came out with them, I wouldn't be too happy. The MLB guys are also in violation, themselves, of flag code. Are there rules stating it isn't proper wear a flag shirt? Well... yes. Guys, let it be known: there are rules governing the flag. They are very explicit rules. The ones that are being brought up here are §3. Use of flag for advertising purposes; mutilation of flag as well as §8. Respect for flag in the US Code Chapter 4 Chapter 1. §3. Use of flag for advertising purposes; mutilation of flag ...The words "flag, standard, colors, or ensign", as used herein, shall include any flag, standard, colors, ensign, or any picture or representation of either, or of any part or parts of either, made of any substance or represented on any substance, of any size evidently purporting to be either of said flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America or a picture or a representation of either, upon which shall be shown the colors, the stars and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or of any part or parts of either, by which the average person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the same to represent. And... §8. Respect for flag j. No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart. That's pretty black and white isn't it? So, let it be known, by you wearing this shirt, you are in violation of the flag code, by using it for an unintended purpose. I don't know about you guys, but I don't intend on doing that. I also don't intend on wearing a patch on any shoulder, unless I have to in order to work. Why not do a three man crew and have each umpire wear a different color of the flag? Plus, this thing is just ugly. The flag just doesn't look good like that, it belongs on a flag pole. What I meant Mazz, was the wearing of the flag patches should be reserved for the uniforms of service men and women of all branches of the military, fire, police, and EMTs, as it states in the flag code. I've given up trying to fight it and have given up being put off about it. The NCAA does it all the time, the MLB guys have it on their hats, and a lot of baseball teams have it on their as well, not to mention MiLB has their patch on their backs.

I'm a product of the 90s.

There has been some talk about the placement of our nation's flag on uniforms. Everyone has their own opinions which is great. Some think that it's ok to wear a patch on the sleeve, others (me and Finnerty) say that the flag patch should be reserved for the uniforms of those who sacrifice for our nation. I was browsing the net for umpire stuff and came across this: http://www.theofficialschoice.com/powderbluehighschoolsoftballumpireshirt-shortsleeve-1.aspx How can a retailer be taken seriously when they make shirts like this? This is embarrassing, loud, and inexcusable. A patch is one thing, but to wear a flag? Only Kid Rock does this. I don't know about you guys, but I intend on writing them a pretty lengthy email. One more reason why I shop at legitimate retailers. God bless the red, white, blue, and soon to be: purple.

Whats with all of this teaching? I didn't sign up for this teaching job.

I agree completely. Everywhere I go that has these balk warnings, I always find myself in an argument with my inner umpire as to what do I let go (twitches and such) and what do I call? I hate it too.

For the younger kids, we don't penalize on the first balk, we give them a warning for the game. If they do it again, then we advance runners.

What's the difference between doing youth and Legion? Besides the quality of ball and the obvious differences (strike zones, balk warnings... etc)

There should be a Maximizing 2 Man Mechanics app... for Android too no doubt.

I plan to be somewhat like your friend, Mazz. I'm not going to get a job in pro ball but to help me work my way up the college ranks. I talked to some people and should get some non-conference NAIA games next spring so we'll see! I also hope to take the education I got from JEA and help teach some beginning umpires.

I found this post on "Drug policy?" interesting and have nominated it accordingly for "Post Of The Month December, 2010"

+1 I think someone said this earlier, MiLB looks for reasons to get rid of guys. You should probably make sure the you have your off the field life in order before you begin to start one on the field.