Austrian Umpire Honed Skills at Legendary Wendelstedt School

Published February 24, 2026

From Player to Umpire: A Journey to the Top

Andreas Gottlieb, a 36-year-old baseball umpire from Austria, recently completed a rigorous five-week training course at the renowned Wendelstedt Umpire School in the United States. The course represents a significant step in Gottlieb’s ambition to officiate at the highest levels of international baseball.

Gottlieb’s path to umpiring began unconventionally. “Someone had to kill someone!” he recalls, quoting the common refrain that often marks the start of an umpiring career. A former player for the Dirty Sox Graz, Gottlieb transitioned to officiating when experienced umpires became scarce. “Firstly, someone had to kill someone and secondly, I was interested anyway,” he said.

Climbing the Ranks

After initially officiating in lower leagues, Gottlieb progressed through the Austrian umpire training system. He completed the practical course and achieved “Level 5” status in 2023, qualifying him to umpire in the Austrian Baseball Bundesliga. He subsequently earned WBSC certification and officiated at the Baseball European Federation Cup Qualifier in 2024 and the Baseball European Cup in 2025.

Wendelstedt School: A Pathway to Excellence

The Wendelstedt Umpire School, historically a key stepping stone for aspiring Major League Baseball umpires, was Gottlieb’s target for advanced training. “I became aware of the school many years ago during an internet search,” Gottlieb explained. “Before the MLB set up its own program, the path to the MLB led almost exclusively through the Wendelstedt School.”

The training, led by MLB umpire Junior Valentine, involved intensive classroom sessions and on-field drills. Gottlieb benefited from instruction from a host of experienced umpires, including Jerry Layne, Gerry Davis, Hunter Wendelstedt and John Tumpane.

Gottlieb emphasized the attention to detail at the school. “In Europe you learn where to run in certain situations. In umpire school they teach you how to run.” He also highlighted the importance of proper positioning, noting, “Chest to the ball! It’s fascinating how often you catch yourself not facing the ball properly.”

Looking Ahead

While Gottlieb doesn’t aspire to a professional umpiring career in MLB (“I’m a bit too old for that”), he is determined to continue improving and reach his goal of officiating at a European Championship and earning full WBSC certification. He is motivated for the upcoming season in April.

Gottlieb also expressed a desire to see more individuals enter the field of umpiring. “More umpires! Even if we aren’t always the most popular people in the ballpark, I can only recommend that everyone give it a try, find fun in it and stick with it.”

FAQ

• Where did Andreas Gottlieb receive his recent umpire training? At the Wendelstedt Umpire School in the USA.
• What leagues has Gottlieb already officiated in? The Austrian Baseball Bundesliga, Baseball European Federation Cup Qualifier, and Baseball European Cup.
• What is Gottlieb’s ultimate goal as an umpire? To officiate at a European Championship and earn WBSC certification.

Did you grasp? The Wendelstedt Umpire School has a long history of producing top-tier umpires, many of whom have gone on to officiate in Major League Baseball.

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