"real umpires"

[David B]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

And what about those umpires who are trained well, and work Varsity HS baseball, and also choose to work any level of baseball presented to them, just because it's baseball?

I began working Varsity in my second season, and that's all I worked as far as HS went. But I also would work any lower youth ball level, adult semi-pro leagues, collegiate wood bat leagues, and any other games that I was assigned, including Little League (which pays $40 for Majors here, BTW) because I love baseball, and I don't care what level game it is.

I still can't figure out why the line seems to be drawn at Varsity HS to be a real umpire. HS ball is not at all difficult to umpire. I'm sorry, it just isn't! I would argue more that none of us are real umpires unless we are working MLB. Those guys don't consider us real umpires, any more than we consider Little League umpires to be real umpires.

So, unless I see you on Sports Center every night, don't consider yourself a real umpire. I worked Varsity steadily from 1987 through 2005, and I still am not a real umpire. Damn.

Maybe its easy to umpire Hs games in your area, but when I was in TX and where I am now there is a huge difference in "small ball" and HS ball.

There is a huge difference in what is expected of an umpire even from JV Varsity to HS varsity.

We have coaches who know real umpires and not real umpires. The ones that are not for real get eat for lunch.

Its JMO of course, but if I find an umpire taking it easy, then he's coasting and not going to umpire any big games in our association.

There's simply too much at stake especially once district season starts. One game can make a difference in whether a team makes the playoffs or not and umpires can make a difference in that game.

Thansk
David

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by David B

Maybe its easy to umpire Hs games in your area, but when I was in TX and where I am now there is a huge difference in "small ball" and HS ball.

No, actually my area is well known for having some of the top teams in the country, and has many of its star athletes make it to pro ball. Prep baseball is taken as seriously here as high school football is on a Texas Friday night.

I find that working any level of baseball comes fairly easy and naturally to me. I may not be the best there is, but I have truly always been a natural at it. I also have trained hard for it, studied hard for it, and tried to learn everything I possibly could for it.

I continue to learn new things all the time, so that I can improve myself. That is one reason I come to these sites, and I have learned a great deal. I feel that what I have picked up here, and at other umpire forums has made me a better umpire than I was before.

[Tim C]

Ya know Steve I can select to make any determination as to who is or not a "real umpire."

I would surely expect an up and coming MiLB umpire to not respect umpires that work non-professional games. It is drilled into them over-and-over -- "hate your partner cuz you'll have to climb over his not yet cold body to get to the biggest stage."

Steve, I would suggest that on "my list" of requirments to be a "real umpire" would follow some sort of "experinece+education+quality of baseball umpired+size of diamond= Real" type equation.

To paraphrase Potter Stewart: "When I see one I know it!"

And SDS, I don't see them thar guys on small diamond games.

I have been called arrogant, caustic, condescending and conceited . . . I guess we should add: judgemental.

Regards,

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I have been called arrogant, caustic, condescending and conceited . . . I guess we should add: judgemental.

I hope that you don't think that these are positive, endearing traits for one to display. JMO

[Tim C]

Steve, I do see them as "qualities" . . .

Regards,

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I have been called arrogant, caustic, condescending and conceited . . . I guess we should add: judgemental.

Regards,

Sounds like pro material to me...if only you could add "young."