[Justme]

As I read the comments to the OP I see various levels of ego here.

I laugh at comments like "you don't become a 'real' umpire until you do HS ball." Talk to a college umpire and he might say "You don't become a 'real' umpire until you do college ball" And there's the D1 umpire in regards to college umpires at lower divisions. Wait there's the MiLB umpires, do they consider the D1 umpire's 'real' umpires? IMHO it's all BS.

I know a 20+ year veteran of LL umpiring. He's as real of an umpire as I have ever seen. I've worked up to small college ball with 'real' umpires at that level too. I've worked with former MiLB umpires, they were 'real' umpires too. And then there are my Brothers in Blue that work HS & Adult League ball with me now, all 'real' umpires.

IMHO there are 'real' umpires at all levels. Real umpires can't be judged by the amount of money they earn on the field or the level they choose to work.
It's based on their dedication to the game, their ability to umpire at whatever level they're at, their desire to do the best they can......and the list contnues. This, IMHO, defines a 'real" umpire.