2013 Umpire School Decision

[Umpire11]

Gentlemen,

I just wanted to gather some feedback from people with knowledge of the two umpire schools offered in 2013. This will be my first (and hopefully only) time going to Umpire school and I want to put myself in the best position possible to earn a spot. I realize that you have to perform no matter what school you go to but if you know of any pros/cons for either school I would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks!

[BRUMP]

I believe Evans is no longer affiliated with MiLB and graduates are no longer accepted into PBUC. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/10/sports/baseball/umpiring-school-loses-baseball-relationship-over-behavior-at-party.html?_r=0

So by the two I assume you mean The Unpire School and Wendelstedt's.

[dumbdumb]

Number 1--- I am not an authority on the subject but others are.

Just remember, if you are hell on wheels you are going to get a job regardless of the school you go to.

You need some of the stat guys to respond. If each school gets the same set number of graduates for jobs, let's say 15 for sake of argument, then your chances are better with the school that has the least amount of students attending. If, on the other hand, a school gets more jobs allocated, based on total number of students, lets say 10%, then the school with the most students might give you a better chance.

It seems like someone said each school was given 15 graduates last year. Since the Umpire School in its first year of existence last year only had about 50 students, you had a higher percentage of being picked by their school versus the other 2 competitors, JE and HW with many more students.

This year with only 2 schools, if they allocate 22 for each school, once again the school with the least students will give you the better odds. However if they switch the formula to a percentage of enrolled students from the previous year, HW will be awarded the most overall number of jobs for their students.

Glad to hear you are going. Good luck. You will learn a lot from listening to previous posts here.

[cookie]

Gentlemen,

I just wanted to gather some feedback from people with knowledge of the two umpire schools offered in 2013. This will be my first (and hopefully only) time going to Umpire school and I want to put myself in the best position possible to earn a spot. I realize that you have to perform no matter what school you go to but if you know of any pros/cons for either school I would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks!

Clicking the "Enroll" button on Jim Evans' pro course website leads to a blank screen so I presume his pro course is on hold. The other two are as mentioned Wendelstedt or TUS (PBUC's The Umpire School).

Both schools have excellent teachers and a high caliber of instruction. However, PBUC has certain mechanics criteria that they're looking for mastery of in their Eval Course in March (which leads to assignments in MiLB). It seems if you're looking to enter MiLB, then you would have a leg up on that knowledge in addition to encountering first hand the instructors who will be evaluating you during the Eval Course. Also, TUS is an all-in-one setting at the Vero Beach Sports Village Complex (Lodging, Food Service, Classroom & Cage/Field mechanics Instruction - so no commuting if you're on the campus) which is great for closeknit umpire interaction and camaraderie. If you're not interested in MiLB assignments, but instead just improving your umpire skills that will no doubt down the road advance you in amatuer baseball umpiring, I think either school would be great. Finally, TUS is a four week course, while Wendlestedt is five.

Up in my area, a fellow umpire in his 40's has signed up with the Wendlestedt School (even after I touted TUS to him), obviously not to get into MiLB, but as he told me, "just to improve his skills and advance."

One note about TUS, I went there this past Jan/Feb when there were only 35 students (I don't think you'll ever see a full-fledged umpire school with that small number of students again). I believe its enrollment will reach 100 this Jan/Feb 2013.

[mstaylor]

TUS:

4 week school, less money, run by the PBUC instructors so if you get invited to PBUC they already know you.

Wendelstedt:

Established school with a consistant track record, 5 week school which will allow more reps, good combination of MLB umpire instructors and MiLB instructors.

[Thunderheads]

TOPIC MOVED TO "Free For All" .....

[Umpire11]

Thanks a lot guys. I've been trying to do as much research as possible about the two schools and at the end of the day I know you just have to perform.

[johnnyg08]

If you want to get into pro ball, go to The Umpire School.

They're the ones who you'll work with at PBUC anyway.

Not a knock on Hunter at all. But if I wanted a shot at pro ball, I'd go to the Umpire School.

I'm considering asking for a leave of absence from my job to attend pro school in the next year or so....I can take a four week leave and be back for the 5th week. It means 4 weeks away from my family instead of 5, so a week sooner would be nice.

However, hanging with some of the MLB guys to hear their stories would be awesome too, since I wouldn't be going for a MiLB job.