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In Michigan umpires put their names and ID numbers in both coaches score books and coaches are required to rate the umpires in several categories after the game. At seasons end the ratings are sent by the AD to the MHSAA, which compiles a 3-year composite ranking, which will be used for the following years tournament selection.
Is it a good system? No, but its the only one we have. Obviously most coaches are not qualified to rate umpires, nor should they even be paying attention to them during the games. But if you are friendly, have a consistent strike zone, and dont make any controversial calls, you will probably get the warm n fuzzies even from the losing coach. But make a tech call (obstruction, LBR, IP, etc), or make a tough call late in the game that affects the game outcome and you can plan on getting a poor rating from at least one coach.
The State Selection Committee assigns umpires to a tournament site from an eligible pool. To be eligible we must have 12 varsity games and have attended the State Rules meeting. Then, we are told, supposedly umpires are assigned strictly on the basis of location and rating. So if a site needs 4 umpires, and you have a 2.0 rating, and 4 umpires in that area have ratings from 1.7 to 1.9, you are not going to get a tournament assignment. When that happens maybe you remember back to those 3.0 ratings you got after tough calls were made and you wonder if you would make that call again.
So yes, you can be a good umpire; with solid mechanics and good rules knowledge and still be sitting in the tournament stands watching some lesser-qualified umpire working the game. Someone who has spent years getting to know the coaches, calls a consistent zone, and does not make the controversial call.
WMB
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