|
ump3,
I went to Evans three years ago and it was a great experience. I was fortunate enough to get make it out of pbuc with a job and have been working in the minors for the past three years. With that being said, I know people who have gone to both schools and both schools are excellent. They will both teach you what you need to know in order to get a chance in pro ball.
I would say that Evans' is a little more structured than Harry's. You will not work actual games if you go to Jimmy's--you'll do simulated (set-up) situations that will test your ability to handle situations and arguments. At Harry's, you will do actual games, usually high school games and will be able to show what you can do. Both schools will teach you the rules just fine. But Jim himself is the best I've ever heard talking about the rules of baseball. At Harry's, there are a lot more big league guys on staff who are great and can teach a ton about umpiring. At Jimmy's, it will be all minor league guys who will do a great job teaching you the two man system and telling you what it's like to work in the low and high minor leagues.
Saying all that, I wouldn't worry about what school to choose as much as making sure you know what your goal by going to school is. If you want a job, go there in shape and work as hard as you can for five weeks and let the chips fall where they may. Keep your mouth shut by not asking dumb questions, but do what you can to be noticed. Reading "The Narrowest Door" by Rick Roder will probably be a great eye opener. It'll tell you about the slim odds of making it out of school and the even much slimmer odds of ever stepping foot on a big league field.
If you are able to get a job, it's the best job and it's the worst job. Being able to step on a professional field everyday and only working a few hours is a great job, but the pay isn't good, the travel will start to wear on you, there's a ton of time doing nothing in cities where you don't know anyone, and after eight or nine years, baseball might tell you "thanks," but go find something else to do. So just make sure you know what you're getting into and what you want to accomplish because that's much more important than what school you will attend. Even if you don't make it, I guarantee you'll remember the experience forever. Good luck. I hope you make it.
|