Providing formal, supervised training for students to qualify for umpire positions in professional, college, high school, independent professional, and youth baseball.

Wendelstedt Umpire School

Whats New:

Wendelstedt Umpire School to Host another Caribbean Umpire Classic - This time to the Bahamas!

Following up on the success of the last couple of Winter time umpire clinic cruises, the Wendelstedt Umpire School has announced that they will host yet another cruise in early December. This year's clinic will be reduced to four days to accommodate those of your who indicated that you would be interested in a less-expensive, shorter option. Dates and costs will be posted soon. Availability will be limited. Make sure to keep checking back so you can reserve your spot. And bring along your spouse, too.

A New Look

The Class of 2014 will experience a new look when attending umpire school. Facility and location changes have been made, as well as the addition of a number of new technologies to improve the student learning environment. After compiling the requests of past students, we have made changes that we expect will only improve our already premier status in the umpire training world. Some of those changes were slowly implimented this year, but more are to come. We look forward to seeing you there!

International Students Wanted

We are the only program offering international students the ability to attend umpire school and vie for a position in professional baseball. As a world umpire training provider, we are classified as an M-1 from the Department of State and INS. International students applying for enrollment with our program will be provided an I-20 Visa certificate.This process can take up to three months to process, so please be certain to get in your enrollment to us ASAP.

In the News and Around the Bases:

Today Show Visits the Wendelstedt Umpire School

Jenna Wolfe and the Today Show staff recently made a visit to the Wendelstedt Umpire School, where Jenna learned some of the ropes of making in in professional baseball. CLICK HERE to see the brief training Jenna endured.

Recent Events:

Another Successful Spring Training

Another eventful Spring Training has come and gone, and with all of our AAA umpire instructors receiving MLB games! Our staff continues to lead the pack in reaching the Major Leagues. Already, the majority of our AAA staff has been assigned to work as fill-ins for the regular season. They continue to prove their abilities and are in line for those next open positions. Congratulations guys! Good luck this season!

Program History

The Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School, formerly the Al Somers Umpire School, was re-named in 1977. Al Somers was the founder of the Daytona Beach based school. He also was the originator of the entire training process. Al Somers has set every record for training umpires. More than seventy of his students have reached the Major Leagues during Al's fifty years of training. Al died 16 years ago. His memory and methods live on through the staff and training techniques they use. This great umpire dedicated his life to this profession. CLICK HERE for a tribute to Al.

Harry Wendelstedt took over the program officially from Al in 1977, and continued to own and operate the program until his death in March, 2012. Harry is universally recognized as the best trainer of umpires in the history of the game. His attention to the style of presentations is one of the reasons our program is the most attended. His staff and students carry on the legacy that was Harry. CLICK HERE for a tribute to Harry.

Harry's son and current Major League Umpire, Hunter, took over the program completely after his father's passing. Until that point, he had served as a lead instructor and the vice president. Hunter has been working in the Major Leagues for the past 15 years. Walking in his father's footsteps, he has proven himself as an excellent umpire who has worked a number of post-season series and special events. He continues the legacy of this tremendous program, while adding his own touches to make this program the best available. He has recently designed and developed new technologies for umpire training that will be implemented in both the classroom and at the fields.