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Originally Posted by lawump
Exactly the response I expected from you...based on your numerous posts in the past few weeks/months.
As an aside, there are mulitple definitions of "professional". A quick search of an on-line dictionary revealled that one of the definitions does state, as you implied, that one is a professional simply by being paid for services rendered.
The definition that I believe 99% of all umpires I know use however, defines "professional" as, "(e)ngaging in a given activity as a source of livelihood or as a career: a professional writer."
And since I don't know a single amateur umpire who umpires as a career or make their livelihood from umpiring (and since 99% of umpires I know use this definition) I'll reiterate my point: minor league games umpired by amateurs are not "professional" games.
I allow for the possibility that there may be someone out there who makes a career umpiring amateur games...if so they in some sense may be a "professional" under the definition I have put forth as being the one primarily used. If such a person exists, they are the exception rather than the rule.
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Okay, maybe we aren't actually, technically, professionals. However, I do dress professionally. Sharp uniform, two pressed ball bags, brilliantly shined shoes, neat appearance, etc. I also conduct myself professionally. Don't you? Do you say, "I am going to conduct myself amateurishly" when describing the perfomance of your duties? My mechanics I use are quite polished and look very "professional." My timing is impeccable, and rivals that of "professionals."
I just feel that the term "amateur" suggests sloppiness and lack of quality, such as you could find on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour in those early days of television. I would prefer a different term, such as "non pro-ball umpire" perhaps, or "local official." I am not comfortable with "amateur" because the words "smitty" and "charlie" are usually not far behind.