Jim Evans Academy Balk Video

[justanotherblue]

BUY it... you can't go wrong with it. It's full of info. It is what Evans uses for pro school to teach his students balks. Your be far ahead of a great deal of umpires if you do.

[Durham]

It is a great teaching reference, but you will still need many moons before you start nailing balks. I can honestly say that last season was the 1st in my career that I ever felt 100% on calling and explaining most every type of balk all the time and also the first time that I was near 100% echoing my partners on balks. They are almost as tough as the strike zone, because you have to be focused all the time.

[LittleLeagueBob]

Definitely get it -- I bought it last season (first yr doing HS) and prob watched it a dozen times. I feel so much more confident knowing what to look for and calling balks now. It's on constant loan now w/in my association - I can't recommend it highly enough!!

(don't get "See a balk, call a balk" -- I got that one first was very disappointed w/it -- especially after see the Evan's one).

Bob

[UmpJM]

I would also add my hearty endorsement to Jim's pitching video. I bought it last year and have watched it numerous times. Actually being able to see the legal and illegal moves demonstrated brings a level of understanding that words by themselves cannot convey.

I wrote an article for the paid side of the site awhile back on some of the common misconceptions that umpires have about the balk rules. If every umpire watched this video, I wouldn't have had any material to write about.

If the price seems a bit much, get a couple of guys to chip in as Bob J. suggests.

JM

[bossman72]

just be persistant when ordering- i tried to order it a few years ago and it took FOREVER and a day. i had to call on 3 different occasions and give them my information twice before they finally sent it- it took a month or two for the whole process. i was waving 50 bucks in their face and they didn't want to take it! haha.

although it's a steep price, it's VERY worth it as others have said. i reccommend like bob did to split it among a couple other umpires.

[UmpJM]

bossman72,

I had a very different experience when I ordered mine last August.

I ordered directly from the website on a Friday afternoon. About an hour later, I received an e-mail notifying me that my order had shipped. When the mail arrived the following Tuesday, my DVD was there. And there was a brief hand-written note from Jim thanking me for my order.

I was pretty impressed.

Also, I believe it was last year, Jim remastered the video, made it available for $40.00 (used to be $50), and it is now offered on DVD (instead of just VHS).

JM

[Lawrence.Dorsey]

Things have changed at the JEAPU on the operational side of things in recent years. Jim Evans is still in charge like always but there is more infrastructure than has been there in the past. Look for more positive changes as time moves on in this regard.

Lawrence

[GarthB]

One more "me, too" post

I bought the Evans tape when he first released and I continue to watch before each season. I use it in my training sessions for umpires of levels and experience and have shown it at coaches clinics as well. It never fails to educate and enlighten.

I don't know anyone who would screw around with Jim's rights and give you a copy, or loan you one so that you could copy it. Respect the man who made it and make an investment in yourself and buy a copy.