What is a Good Umpire

[Mike Walsh]

Originally posted by WhatWuzThatBlue
Pete,

"It's been said that it is harder to make it to the BIGS as an umpire than a Player."

Please tell me that this was a slip.

How many roster spots are available to a MLB umpire candidate? Even if all MLB umpires perished in a freak accident, we need how many to work the season?

How many teams are there? How many players on each team?

I know you meant well, but this was one of the most obvious statements ever to leave your fingertips.

I've heard this statement before and it rings true. At first I thought you disagreed, calling it a slip, but when you said it was an obvious statement, did you mean that it was true, but was like comparing Apples and IBMs?

All of the umpires won't perish this year. In fact, there will be very few openings if any. A talented AAA umpire may never get the chance for want of an opportunity, and end up being released just becuase there is no room. A talented player has a much better chance to find a spot on a roster somewhere. And in 2 or 3 years he may move over and let someone else in. The umpires don't yield to the young too often - once in they may stay 30 years.

Mike