Quote:
Originally Posted by JRutledge
I totally disagree with that point of view. For one the level you work in baseball especially is not a reflection on your talent level in any way. There are HS only umpires that would be better than D1 guys if given the chance, but will not likely ever work that level because of availability. It is hard for many to get to a game at 1:00 in the afternoon on a week day if you have a job or family for that matter. That alone is a hindrance for many to work small college ball let alone higher level D1 ball. Secondly to be a pro umpire you have to be young enough or willing to sacrifice your life on many levels just to get that chance. I umpire that is working on their craft at other level might be just as capable to work any level if they had the time or energy to make it there. And I think there are many D1 guys that have no pro experience that could step in tomorrow and do well. I am also saying this that there would be an adjustment period to move to any level, but I do not think it would take long for many across the country to take Davidson's job and be a long time answer. What we do at the lower levels of baseball is not that drastically different than what they do at the pro level, you are just dealing with different personalities and different attitudes. But do not tell me with the attitude and the way Davidson carries himself on the field that someone could not do what he does and be perceived better.
Peace
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I don't think it is a hard and fast rule about working at the level of your talent, but in this area at least, I don't know of many (Or any) HS-only umpires who wouldn't get eaten alive in even a D2 game.
I'm not talking about whether or not someone at the high school level or college level could work their way to MLB if they had the time/money/inclination. I agree with you that they could. There are guys working various levels of baseball that could be as good as MLB umpires if they had the time/money/etc. to do it.
I am talking about running a high school umpire out there this weekend in an MLB game compared to Bob Davidson or any other MLB umpire. It would be far worse than these guys working the NFL preseason games right now.