Jim Evans

“Most plays that are missed by the umpire are caused by the umpire not reading those cues early enough and making the proper adjustments.”

“Another way to lose control is to ignore something when you should address it.”

“As a youngster, I played in Little League, Pony League, and all sorts of amateur baseball programs growing up.”

“Umpires, like players, are expected to show constant improvement each season and at each level. Inconsistent plate work and the inability to handle situations are probably the two biggest problems that minor league umpires face.”

“The vast majority of people who watch baseball can properly call 95% of all plays that happen on the field. My job is to teach you how to call the other 5%.”

“Looking back on those games, I probably hustled out of position as much as I hustled into position since I really never had any real training. I was working on instincts alone.”

“I have looked back on situations and thought that I could have handled a few differently and probably better.”

“I literally paid my way through the University of Texas with my umpiring.”

“If you don't think every day is a great day try going without one.”

“Anyone interested in becoming a professional umpire and becoming eligible to work in the minor leagues must attend one of the two umpire schools sanctioned by Major League Baseball.”

“I personally developed the Academy training program. All our training is based on solid educational principles. We present the material in four training formats: lecture, demonstration, drill, and implementation.”

“When I was 14, I played in a summer league. One night the chief umpire asked me if I would like to try umpiring. There was a Little League tournament coming up and he needed more umpires than he had.”

“I set very high standards for myself and worked every game with the same energy and enthusiasm as if it were the seventh game of a World Series.”

“After one year in the Texas League, the American League bought the rights to my contract. They optioned me back to the Texas League for the 1970 season.”

“Professional managers, coaches, and players have a right to question an umpire's decision if they do it in a professional manner. When they become personal, profane, or violent, they have crossed the line and must be dealt with accordingly.”

“Game management is accomplished by staying constantly alert and then reading and reacting to potential problem situations before they materialize. It all boils down to paying attention to details.”

“Our students learn more in 30 days than one could learn in 30 years without our training. To really maximize your potential as an umpire, you need to get a solid foundation as soon as you can.”

“I attribute my success to my mental approach to the game. I have always been a serious student of umpiring. I enjoy studying rules, situations, and positioning.”

“My dad was a carpenter and I would work with him during the summer and umpire on the nights I wasn't playing.”

“No one respects the umpire's job more than I do; but, if I were a manager, I would probably be ejected three or four times a season fighting for my team.”