jea vs mlb

[umpire21]

I have a question on umpire clinics to attend this year.

I was curious as which is a better umpire clinic to attend overall...the MLB umpire camp in california or the Jim Evans Desert Classic in Arizona?

Has anyone been to both who would recommend one or the other or anyone been to one or the other with feedback? What is everyone's thoughts and ideas on which to attend? Thanks in Advance!

[CoachJM]

8)

umpire21,

I attended the Evans Desert Classic in October of 2006. I would HIGHLY recommend it and consider it the single best investment of my time and money in improving my abilities as an umpire.

I have no experience with the MLB camp held in Compton, CA.

JM

[western_ump]

It depends what you're looking for, really.

Are you just looking to improve your skills to apply to youth/HS/college ball? Or do you want to get a job in the minors? The MLB camps are a good way to get to know the process to becoming a minor league umpire. They will scholarship guys to one of the schools in January who attend that camp. Jim also has the One Umpire At A Time Foundation, and he and his staff scholarship guys to either of the two schools as well.

I've heard the MLB camps are good to get your foot in the door to going to school in January... more so than the Classics that Evans runs... But it's all subjective. Either are a great learning tool.

[BrianC14]

Isn't the MLB camp somewhat pricey?

[jasonk]

Hello everyone,

Excellent question! Both clinics are great, but have two very different formats. I can only answer to the JEA clinic because I have never gone to a MLB clinic. I will offer what I have heard though. Jim was invited each year to speak at the MLB clinic so he reported back. The MLB clinic does offer scholarships to a select few students and they split them up evenly between both schools. This is really great for the student because in usually all the cases, the students would not have been able to attend without the funding. The MLB clinic goes over a lot of information, but not as many reps and drills at JEA. We also go into great detail on many rules and situations. We deal mostly with the 2-umpire system and have the ability to answer and show the 3 and/or 4-umpire system. Our schedule is usually from 9am through 5 or 6 at night, depends on how many repetitions we have to run! It's a great and very fun atmosphere.

In years past, current MLB umpires would attend to help teach. This year the format has changed a little and only the MLB and AAA supervisors will be there. The MLB camp was a nice way to visit and learn from MLB umpires. So, I guess depending on what you are looking for, then the right opinion may be offered.

[BrianC14]

I had a very nice telephone conversation the other day with Jim Evans.

He spent at least 15 minutes speaking with me about his philosophy on teaching mechanics of the plate, base work, use of the eyes, etc. etc. etc.

Now, as I see it, he could have said, "It's all covered in the website", but he never did that, instead, he spent time listening to and answering the questions that I had for him about his clinics. I can imagine that he's heard these same questions ad nauseum. It was very evident that Jim is very passionate about his work at the clinics.

The bad news (for me) is that I won't be able to attend the Desert Classic due to work commitments.

Just based on my peripheral experience with Jim, I would strongly endorse the Desert Classic.

Next fall, please God, I will be there.

[DelawareBlue]

I attended the JEA Liberty Classic in New Jersey last November. I've worked for my current employer for 32+ years and been to numerous workshops, conferences, and training session during my career (in fact I'm at one of those right now). The four days with Evans and his instructors put all those sessions to shame. Without a doubt, it was the best four days of training I've had. If I could return this year, I would. I'm planning to go back in 2009 if at all possible.

If you go to the Desert Classic you won't regret the decision.

Bill