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Knowing several regular LL umpires who have "worked their way up," I can assure you that the vast majority of these guys get Regionals and World Series assignments not based on their quality or ability but on politics and kissing arse.
The Association of which I am president assigns upper level ball (NCAA and summer college primarily), but a few years ago, we were given the task of assigning the Illinois State LL Tournament--4 umpires per game. Even I worked the games. We had a blast, the games were great, and the compliments we received from each member team were endless.
Before the tournament started, I get contacted via Email from an umpire not a member of our association. He told me he was trying to get to Indianapolis to work the Regionals and that he needed to work the state tournament to "be seen." I knew who this umpire was; I had nothing against him personally or professionally. Truthfully, he wasn't that good of an umpire. I respectfully told him I couldn't use him because our association was contracted to work it and our guys would receive that honor. He wasn't happy, telling me that he "needed to work." Further inquiries to him revealed that to get to Williamsport, one must do a lot of LL games, particularly at the upper tourney levels, and make sure that LL upper crusties see you.
It's obvious these upper crusties wouldn't recognize quality umpiring if it hit them in the face.
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