Which PRO School?

[mbyron]

It is difficult to get the kind of info you're looking for in a public forum like this. Graduates of each school are quite loyal to their schools, and they usually won't give you any "cons" about the other school.

The most important thing to know is that, from the standpoint of getting a job, there's nothing to choose between them: over the years, they have placed grads equally into pro ball. The major problem, of course, is that such a small percentage of each class (about 10% from each school) get offered contracts for the following season. But that's no reason to choose between them, once you decide to go for it.

I had a guy from Harry's tell me that his grads stay in pro ball longer, but he might have been making that up (or have been told by someone who was making it up). As far as I know, no statistics are available about, for instance, the relative percentages of AAA umpires who went to the different schools.

I attended one of Jim's week-long clinics, and it was terrific. He worked with us every day, which, according to Jim's grads, is unique to his school. I have not confirmed this difference with any of Harry's grads.

Another difference (suggested by one of Harry's grads) is that Harry's spends more time on mechanics, whereas Jim spends more time on rules. This difference can't be that significant, however, or it would show up in differential hiring by pro ball. Probably just slightly different emphasis (which is not that surprising, considering that Jim wrote the book on the rules).

Hope that helps. It's a life-changing thing, whichever you choose.