- In order to become an umpire you must attend a training school in Florida for a five-week course during the baseball offseason. There are two schools. The Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring is located in Kissimmee, Florida, and The Harry Wendelstedt School for Umpires is located in Ormond Beach, Florida. These schools are the only two schools that are approved by the Professional Baseball Umpire Corp. This corporation supervises all professional baseball umpires. According to the PBUC, 300 aspiring umpires enroll in these schools each year.
- When the five-week course is completed, the top graduates are chosen to attend an evaluation course. According to the PBUC, 25 graduates are chosen from each school. During the evaluation course, instructors supervise the students and give recommendations to the Rookie and Class-A league presidents regarding possible umpires for hire.
- Aspiring umpires must meet certain basic requirements to succeed. A candidate must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. A candidate must also have 20/20 vision; with or without corrective lenses. Good communication skills and good, quick reflexes are also needed for becoming a professional umpire. Also, some athletic capability is required.
- After completing the five-week course and moving on to the evaluation course, an umpire begins work in the minor leagues. They will usually begin in a Rookie or Class A league. The PBUC monitors the umpires in order to promote them from one minor league level to another. When in the minor leagues, Class AAA is the highest. Once an umpire advances to Class AAA, Major League Baseball starts to take interest. Usually, umpires invest several years in the minor leagues before moving up to the major leagues.
