08/25/2025
It's with sadness to report that Wendelstedt Umpire School will have its final class this coming January, ending an almost 50 year run educating some of the best umpires in professional baseball and the only remaining independent professional umpire academy that sends graduates to MLB.
In 2023, UWB sponsored the first UWB/WUS scholarship winner, Femi Aina, who was also the first native African to ever attend a professional umpire school or attend Wendelstedt. The collaboration with WUS was paramount to bringing a professional level of umpiring to Africa which continues to grow today.
We will forever be grateful for the partnership and support WUS has given UWB. Thank you for your collaboration and best wishes to all associated as well as all current and future graduates!
For Immediate Release:
The Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School is formally announcing that 2026 will be the 50th and final class, marking the end of our longstanding tradition of providing the best umpires to Major League Baseball.
For one final time, as we have done for the last 50 years, we will continue to provide this year’s class of umpires with a pathway into professional baseball.
It has been our distinct honor and pleasure to serve the umpiring community for the last 50 years!
We hope you join us for one final class!
Major League Training from the First Pitch.