Umpiring questions

[briancurtin]

Originally posted by kcs_hiker
Hi everybody... I have a couple of questions that maybe you all can help me with.

1) I'm 46 and just now breaking into umpiring. I've coached and played for many years, but my body (and family)is finally telling me to find a less physically stressful way to enjoy a sport that I love. Over the next 15-20 years, to what level of ball can I reasonably aspire to reach... assuming that I am a reasonably good umpire?

i wouldnt say that umpirig is a non-physically stressful activity. it can be easier on you than playing, but its not a walk in the park if you want to work hard. doing real ball, if your partner goes out from A position and you have to pick up the runner and take him into 2nd, its like you are running out a double (almost) while wearing gear. you cant just take it easy and hope theres no play, because then there will be a play and you will get caught off guard. if you want to get to the higher levels and into college, its going to take a lot of hustle among other things.

2) Is umpiring an art or a science? What I mean is, can I be a great umpire by working hard, studying, going to clinics and schools etc ... or is there a natural talent component that I may or may not possess?

i think there is some natural talent to it, but it also takes a good bit of work for everyone to get good at it. i believe that playing while in college has helped me be a better umpire. i am familiar with the pace of college games, what can happen, etc. i work college ball in western PA and im 21. i got a pretty good break, but it also took some proving that i am worth it, but i did well and my work paid off. studying the rules, thinking about situations, etc all pay off in the end, and getting game experience puts it all together. working on all aspects of the game, from rules to positions to game management and beyond can do nothing but good for you (assuming you study from good sources).

3) Right now, I'm working high school softball, and will work baseball in the spring. I'm considering going to Jim Evans 5 day school over christmas break this year. Assuming that I do well in school, will that get me in the door for collegiate and/or semi-pro level games? I live in NW Missouri and am pretty close to a number of division II (MIAA) and juco schools, as well as the Northern independant semi-pro league.

That's good for a start... hope you all can help. Thanks.

kcs

i cant speak from experience as i havent gone to this clinic or either of the pro schools, but jimmy is an incredible baseball mind and knows his things. from what i have read, it is a very good camp and can help anyone out. of course its not like the big long pro-school camp, but in 5 days with that staff you can pick up some pretty good things. however, i dont think thats really a gateway into college/semi-pro games. its a good thing to go to, and it could help in the process of getting into those levels, but its not directly tied to getting in those doors (as far as i know, i could be wrong though). getting into college level ball takes time and experience, or in some cases who you know. some people get in by knowing people and are good umpires, some get in and are smittys. just work hard and try to do as much good work as possible and get yourself in that door. i was fortunate to have a little of a break to get myself in there, but i worked hard to get there and i continue to work each and every time i am out there.

hopefully you see some good tips out of this thread and take off running with them. good luck with everything and have some good games