"real umpires"

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Your opinion, which you do not have to defend to anyone, really bites.

Yeah but guys like you do "real" baseball and drop to the small diamond for a little "fun". You don't live on the small diamond!

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Yeah but guys like you do "real" baseball and drop to the small diamond for a little "fun". You don't live on the small diamond!

Actually, come tournament time I look at getting in some small diamond games as a break from some of the attitudes we deal with when we're working the bigger players. I get a kick out of hearing players say "we've got real umpires today."


Tim.

[PeteBooth]

Originally Posted by fwump

I've read numerous threads on this site debating the differences between so called "LL" or "small diamond baseball" umpires verses "real" umpires who call on 90' diamonds with shaving aged players.

I propose this: If you have the skill sets and the training to be successful at the HS, college or adult level, then you will perform well on any size diamond regardless. All other debate on the subject is pretty much useless.

I have been at it for over eight years now, calling youth, senior league, HS and NABA. (NO LL for me, I like getting paid). I can confirm through experience that there are terrible umpires out there at ALL levels of baseball. And some of the worst are calling HS JV. (At least down here in north TX).

However, if you have not, for whatever reason, worked higher level baseball at at least HS varsity level or above, then you will never gain the right to proclaim yourself a "real" umpire. I do not consider myself there yet. Thats why I lurk here to try and learn something.

Just my opinion

Mike

I personally do not like to make generalizations.

IMO, Umpiring is all about one's goals and availability.

I worked exclusively LL baseball in my early career. Not because I didn't want to advance but because it fit my work schedule. I could not get out of work in time to make HS games.

Also, in LL their is 90ft. baseball so I gained some experience that way.

When one works HS games, you need a job that fits. You see teachers, postal workers, policemen/ Firemen, sales type people or individuals who have their won business primarily at the HS level because they have a job that fits.

It wasn't until I worked in my job for several years, became a good employee and then was able to "work around" my job to do HS ball.

IMO, the term "REAL UMPIRE" is an umpire who

1. Looks the part meaning they are properly dressed
2. Reads the rule-book
3. Attends some form of mechanics training and
4. Takes pride in what they do no matter what the level of ball.

Pete Booth

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

IMO, the term "REAL UMPIRE" is an umpire who

1. Looks the part meaning they are properly dressed
2. Reads the rule-book
3. Attends some form of mechanics training and
4. Takes pride in what they do no matter what the level of ball.

Pete Booth

I find it interesting that neither experience nor ability find a place on your list.

[kylejt]

I guess my question is, what was the point of the original post?

[IowaMike]

I liked the four stages of umpiring. I did baseball for about 5 years, three of those I worked HS JV and a few Varsity games. I always worked some LL and Pony league as well. I believe towards the end I fluctuated back and forth between stages 2 and 3. There are bad JV umps out there but I have seen very few, if any, bad Varsity umps in my area. They all call a decent game and always look like they know what they are doing out there. I never felt that I was anything better than a good JV umpire. Never could get the feel of being really consistent with my strike zone and that is part of the reason I gave it up. I didn't want to be one of those guys who people hate to see show up to work a Varsity game. I also work basketball, do a lot of Varsity games and feel very comfortable with that sport. There is, in my opinion, a world of difference between working a Varsity game vs a LL game. The expectations on you are much higher at the Varsity level, from both the coaches and the players. Most folks are just happy to see an adult in uniform behind the plate at a LL game. I consider guys that umpire for a living real umpires.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by GarthB

I find it interesting that neither experience nor ability find a place on your list.

I don't know about the experience not being mentioned. I agree that it should have been. However, I think the four listed are mutually inclusive of ones ability.


Tim.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

However, I think the four listed are mutually inclusive of ones ability.


Tim.

I don't.

I know umpires who dress great, read the rule book, go to their associations mechanics sessions, are prideful of their efforts and suck. In fact, I think I saw a couple of those at LLWS.

I liken it to music. One can buy a great tux, take lessons, practice like hell, be proud of their efforts and play like crap. Some where along the line there has to be a place for ability, talent, skill, whatever you want to call it.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by GarthB

I don't.

I know umpires who dress great, read the rule book, go to their associations mechanics sessions, are prideful of their efforts and suck. In fact, I think I saw a couple of those at LLWS.

I liken it to music. One can buy a great tux, take lessons, practice like hell, be proud of their efforts and play like crap. Some where along the line there has to be a place for ability, talent, skill, whatever you want to call it.

Then you're saying there has to be a pre-disposition to succeed as a "real" umpire?

Tim.

[Justme]

As I read the comments to the OP I see various levels of ego here.

I laugh at comments like "you don't become a 'real' umpire until you do HS ball." Talk to a college umpire and he might say "You don't become a 'real' umpire until you do college ball" And there's the D1 umpire in regards to college umpires at lower divisions. Wait there's the MiLB umpires, do they consider the D1 umpire's 'real' umpires? IMHO it's all BS.

I know a 20+ year veteran of LL umpiring. He's as real of an umpire as I have ever seen. I've worked up to small college ball with 'real' umpires at that level too. I've worked with former MiLB umpires, they were 'real' umpires too. And then there are my Brothers in Blue that work HS & Adult League ball with me now, all 'real' umpires.

IMHO there are 'real' umpires at all levels. Real umpires can't be judged by the amount of money they earn on the field or the level they choose to work.
It's based on their dedication to the game, their ability to umpire at whatever level they're at, their desire to do the best they can......and the list contnues. This, IMHO, defines a 'real" umpire.

[LilLeaguer]

I'll take a position in this discussion. I don't care at all what some people think you need to do to be a "real umpire." It's a silly discussion designed to dismiss certain folks due to arbitrary characteristics. If members of this group want to dismiss me because of the level of ball I work, I chose this handle to make it easy for them.

A good umpire:

• Exercises good judgment. Her decisions are consistent with the facts.
• Applies the rules correctly with deferrence to appropriate custom and usage.
• Manages the game with respect for the participants and to keep it moving efficiently.
• Works well with her partner or partners by taking care of her responsibilities and supporting them in theirs.

Everything else: dress, equipment, training, mechanics, experience, and raw talent (whatever that is) are useful and necessary tools to achieve the goals, nothing more.