Quote:
"Matt, do you characterize your officiating as a hobby...because I don't. For me I treat it like the job it is...most people don't get paid for their hobby. I take my officiating very seriously and I am a bit offended that you called it a hobby!"
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So be offended.
Unless you offficiate sports @ the professional level (players) then it is defined basically as a hobby.
We can be professionally trained, 100% committed, and work the highest level of non-professional baseball -- it is STILL a hobby.
People here take umpiring very seriously . . . trust me I know a lot of them . . . but taking something seriously DOES NOT make it more than it is . . . a hobby.
I retired from umpiring last year and I have a new "hobby." I take professional classes, I go to professional workshops, I use professional resources to get places to be active in my hobby.
Oh yeah, I make a bout $2,000 a month doing my hobby (never made that much umpiring) . . .
But in the end, while I still keep my day job, this new activity will still be only a hobby.
To think it is anything else boarders on being pretentious.
At least that is MY opinion.
T