|
Why is it that when one member says there are no separate rules books for American and National League umpires, another cannot disprove him? That was alleged and I was able to show that he was wrong. I take satisfaction in this and the fact that I have met a standard that few do. I was hired to be a Minor League umpire and worked that level of baseball for several years, before realizing that it wasn't fun. Every call was life or death and many of the players were no better than the ones I saw in major college baseball. I still work as a local Minor Legue umpire for several independent leagues in my area.
The last red book that I have is from 1998. The last green one is from 1996. The black book I have is the current annum. These books are issued to all professional umpires and anyone who worked during the strike year. To assist Mr. Ives, a professional umpire is one who is hired to work professional baseball. Most independent leagues provide rule books to their officials, but they are not the official one given by those that are actively involved in the Minor or Major Leagues.
I have many friends that have worked in the Minors. All of them have these books. If one of them was still at it since 1994, I would have to sit him down for a talk. If he didn't receive one of these books, it may be that he was affiliated with an independent league or that the director thought better of it.
|