Tuesday, November 27, 2007

NBUA Represented at Evans Desert Classic

By Dick Harrigill

It was a sunny, hot week on the ball field - about 90 degrees. In November. In
Arizona. Five NBUA umpires were calling outs & safes, balls & strikes, fair &
foul, and interference & obstruction at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson. They
were students at the Jim Evans' Academy of Professional Umpiring Desert Classic,
a bootcamp for umpires who are serious about doing a good job. The Kino Sports
complex has several fields, and is the spring training facility of the Arizona
Diamondbacks and the Chicago White Sox.

The NBUA was well represented. Mike Brancheau, Dave Esp, Andrew Feldhaus, Dick
Harrigill & Nancy Pacharzina made up over 10% of the Desert Classic's Class of
2007. The academy has something to offer everyone, regardless of experience.
Mike is one of our senior umpires, and heads up training for the NBUA. Nancy
has completed three years with the NBUA, Dave & Dick have completed two years,
and Andrew just completed his first year with the NBUA. We all came away better
and more knowledgeable.

Dick Harrigill, Dave Esp, Jim Evans, Nancy Pacharzina , Mike Brancheau and Andrew Feldhaus

Jim Evans had a 28 year career as an American League Umpire and Crew Chief, and
now runs the premier umpiring school in baseball. He runs three 5-day camps
each fall (Arizona, New Jersey & Florida), and one comprehensive 5-week camp in
Florida each January. Graduates of his 5-week academy took over 80% of all the
new jobs in professional baseball last year. Michael Goebel was the NBUA's most
recent 5-week graduate. Many of our umpires have had the opportunity to train
under Jim, and all of us are grateful for his teaching. See www.umpireacademy.com.

On the final evening, a banquet was held where a new organization was
introduced: The Jim Evans One Umpire At a Time Foundation. "Our mission is to
provide financial aid to students desiring to attend umpire school, clinics, or
any other programs that involve the continuing education of umpiring." See
www.oneumpire.org. It was an honor for all of us to be there for the unveiling.
Two NBUA umpires received the foundation's first two scholarships which was also
a great honor.

I cannot overstate the professionalism and dedication of Jim and his staff. I
would highly recommend this school to everyone, regardless of your experience
level and your aspirations. If you are really serious about becoming a
professional umpire, this is a path you should strongly consider.