Arizona Umpiring Academy
 

Anyone know anything about the Arizona Umpiring Academy? It's 6 miles from my inlaws. I'm thinking about taking my family down there for a week in the sun in January so I can go to it. I know it's a little early to ask but when you've got as many kids as I do you've got to plan ahead $$$!

I haven't attended, but I know Steve and many of the guys he has put together to run the clinic, and I wouldn't be surprised if they put a 5-week together in the next year or two, b/c there is nothing about umpiring that they can't teach you. Many of them were instructors and Jim's and AAA and fill-in and a few big league guys.

I've visited their web site on a few occasions, and they look impressive.

http://www.arizonaumpiringacademy.com

Evans is bringing back the Desert Classic - Oct in Tuscon. I'll be there.

http://www.umpireacademy.com/desert_classic.php

I saw that but I'm already booked with school until 1st of the year. :(

In that case, the AZ guys do a very good job.

Thanks!

I guess I should have added that I'm 43 so going pro is a mute point. I just want to get into solid rotation doing NJCAA/NAIA/DII games. I'm on the subs list now (just got on today, no games yet) and if the clinic will lock me in solid then it's worth every penny! :)

Mute point?

Big,
The Desert Classic is not necessarily for people with pro aspirations. It is basically the five week course condensed into a one week period without as many repititions and ofcourse, no mental bull****. It is by far, the best week of umpiring training you will ever get.

The Arizona Umpire Academy will be a similar experience although not as thorough because it's only three + days. However, as Ken mentioned, Mattingly and Higgins were the two top instructors at Jim's School and I'm sure they'll do a great job at the Arizona Academy.

You can't go wrong with either one and since you have family in Arizona, you should probably go there. Have fun and enjoy the training - you'll have some instructors with top notch credentials. By the way, ask them about the pointing mechanic, although becareful, they might tell you where to put that finger :D . Just kidding Big - take care.

In Texas
 

I have nothing but fond words about the South Texas Umpire Clinic in San Antonio, TX. Great individual instruction from former and current MiLB guys. Two are MLB fillins and worked the WBC.

http://www.southtexasumpireclinic.com/

As long as one of the instructors who works as a fill in isn't Balk-a-Day-Bob, it sounds good.



Tim.