Providing formal, supervised training for students to qualify for umpire positions in professional, college, high school, independent professional, and youth baseball.
Course Overview
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!
Course Details
Our umpire school will convene January 2, 2014 and conclude February 4, 2014. The school is located in Daytona Beach, Florida and travel arrangements should be made to Daytona Beach or Orlando. The school is a 10 minute cab ride from the Daytona International Airport or bus terminals, and a quick shuttle ride from the Orlando International Airport. If you choose to fly into Orlando, and need a ride to our resort, we suggest that you utilize the services of DOTS Shuttle Service. This can be found at www.dots-daytonabeach.com.
The school living quarters for students will be the LaPlaya Inn and Suites on beautiful Daytona Beach. There will be two students assigned to one large room. This hotel has all the facilities you need to make your stay on the beach a pleasant one while attending the school. Each room is equipped with color T. V., telephone, two large beds, and microwave and refrigerator. Each student will be held responsible for towels, linens, blankets, or other items taken from the hotel, costs of same to be charged to the student. This is the agreement between the student and the school. The student is personally responsible for any damage to hotel facilities, however, all costs for internet, parking, local phone calls, etc. will be waived while in attendance. Students having guests, or that request a single room will pay for the single room rate. Reservations must be made through Mr. Wendelstedt.
Do not be confused by our temporary mailing address at PO Box 1079, Albion, MI 49224. This is the Wendelstedt Umpire School office.
To visit our hotel CLICK HERE.
Travel
Plan to arrive at the LaPlaya by 3:00 p.m., January 2, 2014. Return travel can be planned to suit the schedule, which follows. Our graduation banquet will be held February 3, 2013 with cocktail beginning at 5 p.m. We welcome and encourage our students to invite their friends and families to join us on this special evening. Each students banquet is included in the cost of tuition, however, guests may attend for a small fee each.
Evaluation day will be February 4th. All students must vacate the hotel premises by noon February 4, 2014. Students may leave at any time after their evaluation on February 4th, however, we recommend making your travel arrangements after 4 p.m. to insure that you may complete the evaluation day process. At this evaluation, each student receives word on their work. Whether they are going into pro baseball, are on the reserve list, headed for college or independent leagues will be discussed.
We pay great attention to every student. We act as your family away from home and we strive to make this school one of the most rewarding times of your life.
Reporting to School
It is most important that all students report to the LaPlaya Inn and Suites in Daytona Beach, Florida by 3:00 p.m., January 2, 2014. After checking into the hotel our instructors will direct you to our offices in the hotel for school registration. At our opening meeting at 5:00 p.m., January 2, 2014, we will introduce our staff instructors and then give an outline of our program. Students reporting before January 2, 2014 pay a discounted hotel rate.
What to Bring
The school provides all necessary equipment for the training period, except for personal items like shoes, jock and protective cup, and a belt. These exempted items should be brought down with the student. Those students wishing to bring their own personal umpiring equipment may do so, and we recommend that you do for your comfort. All others will be supplied use of our equipment for the school term. School will provide students new caps, rule books and T-shirts.
Students should bring a jacket and tie for dress evenings. The students are required to bring with them clothing for warm and cold weather, umpire uniforms if they have them, and some old clothes as they will play many ball games. With cages and fields available at all times, each student will umpire daily in drills, control situations, cages, and LIVE games regularly.
Course Curriculum
Course # |
Course Title |
Description |
Clock Hours |
WPBU 100 |
Introduction and History of Professional Baseball Umpiring |
A comprehensive introduction to the rules and traditions, including historical references. |
4 |
WPBU 101 |
Rules of Professional Baseball and Practical Enforcement Procedures |
A study of the Official Baseball Rules, including explanations and interpretations. |
29 |
WPBU 102 |
Professional Ethics and Protocol |
Discussion of professional umpire responsibilities and deportment. |
4 |
WPBU 103 |
Equipment Requirements and Baseball Safety |
A detailed examination of proper umpire equipment and apparel. Proper wear and maintenance will be covered. |
8 |
WPBU 104 |
Fundamentals of Proper Umpire Positioning (Classroom) |
A study of the two, three, and four-man umpire systems. |
61 |
WPBU 105 |
Plate and Base Umpire Positioning (Field Work) |
Training conducted through the process of demonstration by Wendelstedt Staff members of proper footwork and positioning. |
20 |
WPBU 106 |
Proper Signals and Mechanics |
Training conducted through the process of demonstration by Wendelstedt Staff members of proper mechanics and signals. |
4 |
WPBU 107 |
Developing an Accurate and Consistent Strike Zone |
Extensive training of plate work through repetitious training using pitching machines. |
13 |
WPBU 108 |
Drills, Control Games, Camp Games, Live Games |
A comprehensive explanation and training of the following criteria: |
61 |
WPBU 109A |
Handling Situations (Classroom) |
A study of the Rules of Professional Baseball as they pertain to ejections, weather, and handling other unusual situations. |
4 |
WPBU 109B |
Handling Situations (Field Work) |
A practical training of the methods of 109A for on-the-field application. |
29 |
WPBU 110 |
Critiques and Evaluations |
Consist of progressive reports throughout the course, as well as a final evaluation conducted by the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School staff. |
8 |
One clock hour is equal to 50 minutes of instructor led training followed by an appropriate break.
The grading scale is as follows:
A – Excellent
B – Above Average
C – Average
D – Below Average
E – Poor
This scale is used to determine proficiency in the following areas:
| Attitude Coordination Instinct Mobility Hustle Timing |
Judgment |
When you decide to attend the Wendelstedt School, you've started your career with the "Right Decision." Join the program that has produced the most MLB umpires in history! If you'd like a job in professional baseball, signing up for our program is the starting point!
CLICK HERE for an application.
If you've already signed up, and looking for a ride or to be a rider to school CLICK HERE.
Excellence in Umpire Training!
