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I've been umping for over 20 years, and I can honestly say the reasons I umpire are as follows:
1. Love of the game.
2. Love of the game.
3. Love of the game.
4. Comradship
5. Money
Granted, I get more money than I did 20 years ago. Because I love the game, I have worked to improve myself as an official. Because I have invested the time and money to improve myself, I have gotten better, which has led to better assignments, which has led to more money. But I still do High School games now and then, and low-paying Legion ball in the Summer, and I occasionally go work a game for free as a third man - because I love the game. After awhile, you come to appreciate a well played game, a timely hit, a great defensive play - without really knowing or caring which player or team benefitted. You appreciate it because, as a lifelong student of the game, you recognize how hard it is to play the game well. Same thing for umpiring - it is hard to do it well. Unfortunately, many of the people who play and watch the game don't know how hard it is, or how hard you worked to be where you are. That's society today - "What have you done for ME lately?" So I do this because I love the game, and can look in the mirror and feel satisfied with my performance. I have learned to savor the rewards of the game, because I never know where they're coming from - and that's why I value my umping peers. I know how hard they've worked, because they're in the same boat I am. A sincere pat on the back from one of them is worth a dozen coaches or players saying, "Nice job" - though I certainly don't dismiss THOSE kudos, either! I love this game because I grew up playing it. The kids who truly love baseball will appreciate it on a higher level someday - those who don't, won't. Some of the truly lucky will get to umpire when their playing days are over.
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