Arizona Umpire Academy
 

Has anyone attended the Arizona Umpire Academy? If so, was it a good experience?

I haven't attended, however, I "know" Steve Mattingly.

He was an excellent AAA umpire certainly headed for MLB until he helped organize the minor league umpires' union. "Coincidentally" his and his east coast counterpart's careers were ended shortly thereafter.

Steve is also a fine, honest and genuine person. I don't believe he would affiliate with any training organization that was less than top notch.

A bit of trivia...Steve is the "pitcher" in Jim Evans' balk video.

Pay Rate
 

What kind of 1st year pay/game can one look for after graduating top of the class and then entering the MiLB Rookie system?

The Arizona Umpire Academy is not a professional umpire school. Its graduates do not get invited to PBIC.

MiLB umpires are paid per month, not per game.

No Cactus Class
 

Have you seen the "berbs" grow around Phoenix?
Each one hosting one or two MLB teams for spring training.
All those new PRO baseball complexes just sitting there.
Then I expect the rear door to open for PRO umpires soon.

Yes, I've seen the complexes and attended Evans' Desert Classic at one in Peoria.

There are two authorized proschools. They are both in Florida. Don't hold your hand over your butt while awaiting a third. You'll have a very deep hand print.

Is that sorta like, "Wish in one hand, crap in the other; see which one fills up first?";)