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Originally posted by JRutledge
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Originally posted by GarthB
With all respect, Jeff I disagree. The individuals at the pros were given nothing. Their desire was equalled by their dedication and effort and they found a way to go to proschool. Some borrowed the money, some mortgaged their houses, some lost their wives and families over their decisions.
They were not given a chance. They chose to pursue that level. They chose to do without while making near minimum wage for years in rookie ball, short season A, Long season A and even double A. They worked their a$$es off, first to not get released, and second, to move up.
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The question was not whether anyone gave these umpires anything. The question is whether some amateurs could do as good of a job as a pro. I agree no one just "gave them something." But they choose to go to pro school and put themselves in the position to get work their way through the ranks. I know I never considered going to pro school mainly because I have a job and had other obligations and goals that umpiring minor league baseball for a chance in 10 or more I might get a sniff at the "Show." I also officiate other sports and I would rather try to achieve in those other sports. I also know several umpires that are in a similar situation as I am.
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Originally posted by GarthB
Given simething? No. They earned everything they got. Baseball umpiring is one profession where you work to earn your place every day. How often do accountants perform in front of 30,000 plus people who critique their every move. How often do insurance agents have their supervisor go on television to call an opinion "at best inconclusive"?
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First of all I do feel that people "earn" their way, but I also feel that people have to believe in you or think you are better than others you are competeing against. I know in basketball and football, you have to have people pulling for you and giving you an opportunity. Of course the people that got to the Majors had to earn their way, but they also had to have people to "give" them an opportunity to show they are capable to work. Before the current system, umpires were picked largely based on the recommendations of retiring and outgoing umpires at the Major League level. So if the right person like you, you got moved up. Of course they had to perform when given the chance, but to act as if someone was not pulling for them is not the reality. It is not the reality in other aspects of life, it is not the reality in officiating either. The more people pulling for you, the better. If you have no one in decision making positions pulling for you or no one that can speak on your behalf with influence, it is going to be harder.
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Originally posted by GarthB
Lastly, Jeff everyone MAY pursue the pros, at least at the beginning level. One doesn't even have had to call a single game to go to proschool. Not everyone, however, chooses to pursue the pros. Some have different callings and some just don't have what it takes.
But if one choses not to pursue the pros, for whatever reason, if they do not choose the hard work, the long road, the uncertain future, the crappy pay and proving their worth in public, they forfeit any right to the "I coulda been there" claim. If you "coulda", you "woulda".
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Once again the issue is not whether the achieved that level, the issue is whether they could do as good of a job. I know when I watch college and pro basketball there are officials that I know could do just as good of a job as the people you see on TV. The difference is they were not given the chance (yet) or they did not pursue working that level. There are a lot of reasons why people decide not work the higher levels, but that does not mean if given a chance (which is usually unrealistic BTW) they could work just as good of a game as those. The one thing about baseball is there is a much bigger risk-reward element to getting to the Majors. You have to work really hard for years and hope you survive long enough for a dream that only a select few will ever get an opportunity. I will never believe that only 50 (or whatever the size of the MLB umpire staff is) people in the world are the only ones capable of working that level. I am sure there are hundreds of umpires all over the country that could do just as good of a job.
Peace
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I'm sorry Jeff. Your first post wasn't nearly as clear. I responded only to what you said:
"The difference is the individuals at the pros were given a chance or (to) pursue that level. Not everyone can pursue the pros." Those two statments are not simply true.
I had no way of knowing you meant something different as you pointed out in your next post.