Quote:
Originally posted by SanDiegoSteve
Quote:
Originally posted by WhatWuzThatBlue
Yes, I know how this sounds, but maybe there is a reason why it is difficult to break through.
How many of us would have loved being a movie star, but the gene pool and desire led us astray? Rather than put those souls down for having been accepted into a special fraternity, accept the hand dealt.
We tell newbies to work harder, hustle more and work more challenging games. We've discussed it before, but quality is much more important than quantity. Soon, some JUCO, D-2 or 3 coach will see you and want to chat. Make the effort to be professional and approachable before or after a series. You'd be surprised how many scouts or assistants can assist your career. Getting that first big game is an accomplishment. The time to be proud is when you get the next call.
The next factor is for every guy that group accepts, someone is likely being pushed aside. Some day, the new guy will do it to you. Enjoy the ride and teach what you learn.
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I don't know if you were addressing me with this or not, but gene pools had nothing to do with my not getting a shot at college ball. I was slated to get a look "next season" back then, and when next season rolled around, this group of renegade college umpires, who deemed themselves better than the rest of us, broke away and procured the college contracts for their new group. If you weren't in that "click," you were SOL. I'm not the only qualified umpire that this affected. Many others were in the same boat, and were slighted as well.
I worked really hard to hone my skills as an umpire to the point where college ball was looking like a reality. The president of the association told me that if I kept getting good ratings, that I would get some college ball next season. Of course, next year never came.
Now I'm nearly 50, and nobody is going to be beating down my door to work NCAA ball. Out here, we certainly don't get assignments just because we are a warm body, like in Rut's case.
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Funny you should mention that. I just turned 51. However, people tell me I don't look I've even reached 40 yet. I keep myself physically fit for my age. Around here, we have several JUCO programs, some small four year colleges that have baseball programs, and three D-1 teams. Over the years, I have built relationships with several of these coaches. Mostly what we talk about are the high school players. I give them some info on some player that I saw. Sometimes, I'll talk to a kid about going to one of these little four year schools. Give them some names to talk to. Mind you, these little colleges don't play great ball.
But back to the chase. Some of these coaches I talk to ask me about working a higher level. They come to some of the games that I work also. Tell me who I need to talk to and that they would give me a reference if I wanted one. No, I'm not talking D-1. But, it's usually a very good level of ball. Community College NJCAA Division I & III, NAIA something like that. However, they often have a team go far in tournament play.
With all that talent out there, get out, do some networking. There's got to be several coaches in attendance at those games. It can't hurt.