A friend and fellow umpire and I are considering
attending the Southern Umpies Camp in Atlanta in
February,2006.
Has anyone ever been to the camp, and if so, what
are you feelings about your time there?

I am also looking for a good camp to attend. I currently work Varsity H.S. and Div II & III college as well as JUCO in the spring and amateur men's and Legion ball in the summer. I want to be sure and choose the right one. Any suggestions?

The Southern Camp was excellent. They work you hard. Field work, there is cage work with the pros, and there is classroom work. The year I went Steve Rippley, Gerry Davis (yes he taught the Gerry Davis stance), and Ed Hickox worked the cages. Nauert was their class and field guy with Brian Hale (AAA). There were many College D1 playoff umps on staff. There were many Wendlestat instructors and recent grads being further evaluated. The staff is very knowledgeable. I also attended the NEUC twice, and while not as many big names, it was much more personal. I don't think they operate any more.

Ed H

Thats something i am considering doing in a few years. Thanks for the insight...

[Edited by scottyman51 on Aug 3rd, 2005 at 10:39 AM]

Alan Roper (jumpmaster) wrote an 8-part series (with more than 20 photos)O on the camp. Here's the URL for Part I, and that article contains links to the other parts.

http://baseball.officiating.com/x/article/4238

It's not all peaches and cream. The Boy from Arkansas offers some salient criticism. But, when he was asked if he would go back, he said yes.