Define your umpiring Goals

[PeteBooth]

In a response to the thread entitled "Problems at the plate Conference" Peter responded as follows:


" The umpire blew a rule. Blowing rules end umpire careers. Recently, I told of how an umpire called a dead ball balk in a tournament game and two umpires on the crew had their careers sidelined. Yet, stupid posters here (probably LL) continued to insist that one could have a balk on a dead ball. In our situation, we have an umpire who has blown a rule. The absolute last thing in the world that he should do is call unwanted attention to his mistake. Tossing the coach at the plate conference will certainly call the attention of his assignor to his mistake. Very STUPID move. It is simply irrelevant that the ejection is justified. If you want to be right and derail your career, go ahead. I'd rather be wrong and get promoted.

The reason I use the aforementioned quote is the theme for my thread. Not Every Umpire wants the BIG game or cares about being promoted. Generally speaking there is a lack of Officials so even the Ole Smitty's of the world will get plenty of assignments.

Also, I find it kind of ironic when using the term "Kiddy Ball" because some "Kiddy Ball" depending upon where you live pays more than the so called BIG Games.

I'll give you an example; I worked in Westchester County NY and a colleague of mine asked me if wanted to do some LL Major Games for him. The LL Organization was in a "rich" part of Westchester County where the officers had plenty of money and didn't want to be bothered scheduling umpires. The FEE was $60.00 for one umpire behind the plate.

Now you can talk all about the BIG Games, but from my experience (other than dealing with the Parents), the so called Kiddy Ball is the best around meaning the game(s)are 6 innings long and last on avg. approx 1hr and 20 minutes to 1hr and a half, meaning you can do 3 games on a Saturday (or more if you wish) and walk away with $180.00 before the real heat arrives. In other words the games start at 9 AM and by 12:30 you are on your way home.

You can than go to the parks where the so called "BIG Games" are at and see everyone sweating and they don't make as much as you do.

What all this means is that you need to DEFINE your umpiring goals. Most of us have a regular Job that pays the mortgage, etc. meaning we use umpiring money for vacations, taking the wife/significant other out to dinner etc. therefore, I do not think amateur umpires should take the abuse that Major League umpires take even if we do blow a call.

I'd rather be promoted in MY REAL job than umpiring. There is plenty of work around, so why kiss you know what and get ajeda over it.

Also, again depending upon where you live if you want to aspire to the collegiate level, means a great deal of travel. A colleague of mine recently joined the Collegiate ranks and all he does is travel.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying as an amateur umpire we shouldn't try and be the best we can be by attending clinics,etc. but it also is not a "life" or "death" situation either if you don't get the big game or promoted.

In Summary before starting on your umpiring career, define the goals you want to achieve.

Pete Booth