Off-Season

[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by JJ

Back to Baseball. The off-season is rapidly approaching (if not here already), and I would like to solicit thoughts on what you do at the end of your season.

JJ I am a little late to look into officiating football or basketball which I thought I might take up, but even in the east baseball is a long season. In fact I have a game this Saturday and a double dip on Sunday weather permitting.

Here in NY, the HS season starts in March and ends in May. Also, you have LL / Babe Ruth and Summer / Fall Ball. While we do not play all year round it's pretty close. March through the end of October (8 months). So even in the east I umpire roughly 80 - 90 games a year.


While contemplating joining the officials in Football and Basketball, I read an article (I know it's taboo) in Referee Magazine about Offical Burnout. Perhaps when my children are older and on their own (whenever that may be), I will take up the other sports, but for right now baseball is enough and frankly I look forward to the break.

In the winter time, I'm on a bowling team to get out of the house and relax with the guys for a few hours. Also, in the off season I read the various OBR / FED materials more, especially on plays which I wasn't too sure of during the season so that I am better prepared next year.

Pete Booth