A Primer For Going Pro

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by Jim Porter

The reason I didn't go for it in my life wasn't as much the astronomical odds of actually making it to the MLB level, but the years of hellish existence one must endure on the road to The Show. Driving from city to city, living out of your car, considering ratty motels to be a luxury, and having nothing in the way of savings left at the end of a season isn't my idea of a career path.

Add to that, zero power to influence this meager existence (see MiLB strike debacle)....

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by Jerry

Actually, Ria is the top ranked umpire in AA ball; currently assigned to the Southern League. In addition to umpiring the Futures Game in Pittsburgh last year, she was a Spring Training umpire for MLB this past Spring.

She is also the only female currently working in the Minors; which is the very reason why she would be a prime candidate to replace Froemming. There's also an expected 6-8 umpires that would be retiring within the next 5-10 years.

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Ria in the Majors within the next several years.

Jerry

I hope she makes it but it doesn't change the stark realities.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I agree that very few who attempt this career make it. And, those who are thinking about attempting it should know that.

I don't think that race or sexual persuasion enter into PBUC's decision at all. Sex and age probably do a little.

Money and marriage don't affect PBUC's decision, but might affect the umpire's willingness to stick it out over the long haul.

I would like to think that is the case but what I believe is the case is comparisons. Would you as a PBUC guy want to take the chance on a married man or an unmarried man given the long, low incomeless years in MiLB including the time away from home?

By money I meant money to go to the various schools, travel etc.

Sexual persuasion? What do you really think the realities are there?

Race? What do you really think the realities are there? Especially with the incoming Latino/Spanish players (fans) and lack of black players in the farm systems (by %)?

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by lawump

BTW...as of last week I was told that no one will be "replacing" Froemming. MLB has 70 permanent umpires. They desire to go back down to 68. Basically, three MLB guys need to retire in order for a AAA umpire to be promoted to the permanent staff.

As I told one aspiring, young ump, "point of the pyramid".

[DonInKansas]

Originally Posted by fatimp56

I would like to think that is the case but what I believe is the case is coparisons. Would you as a PBUC guy want to take the chance on a married man or an unmarried man given the long, low incomeless years in MiLB including the time away from home?

Who did you speak with that made you come to this conclusion?

Originally Posted by fatimp56

By money I meant money to go to the various schools, travel etc.

Following any dream requires sacrifice, barring winning the genetic lottery.

Originally Posted by fatimp56

Sexual persuasion? What do you really think the realities are there?

Do they ask? Is it on the test? Not everyone is Big Gay Al from South Park.

Originally Posted by fatimp56

Race? What do you really think the realities are there? Especially with the incoming Latino/Spanish players (fans) and lack of black players in the farm systems (by %)?

It's not their fault more don't apply. If there were more to choose from, you'd probably get a higher percentage.

*Hey look! I didn't have to make 5 posts to quote multiple times!

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by fiuimp56
I would like to think that is the case but what I believe is the case is coparisons. Would you as a PBUC guy want to take the chance on a married man or an unmarried man given the long, low incomeless years in MiLB including the time away from home?

Originally Posted by DonNotInKansasButWhoDesiresDorothy

Who did you speak with that made you come to this conclusion?

Con(clue)sions don't have ???? at the end of the sentence.

[NFump]

AWWWWWW BOB! Dang it.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I wonder if Ria Cortesio would agree.


Tim.

If anyone believes she's where she's at for anything BUT her gender, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell him. From the many people to whom I've spoken, Ria's "brutal," "awful," "a butcher behind the plate," and more.

This wouldn't surprise me about MLB and their political correctness run amuck.

[mbyron]

Although I don't share UMP25's political views, I have heard substantially the same about Cortesio. Moreover, her 5 years in AA is extremely unusual: if umpires have not moved up to AAA within 2-3 years, they are usually released.

I applaud MiLB and PBUC both for giving her extra time to develop and for not advancing her if she's not good enough.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Although I don't share UMP25's political views...

Political views have nothing to do with this, though. Ria's where she's at, from what I've been told, because she's of the female persuasion.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Political views have nothing to do with this, though. Ria's where she's at, from what I've been told, because she's of the female persuasion.

I gather that you grasp at least some of the political dimensions of this statement, since your earlier post complains about "political correctness" (whatever you think that is).

[UMP25]

Political correctness does not mean some ideological point of view, for both those on the Left and Right can be guilty of being P.I.

[bobbybanaduck]

Originally Posted by socalblue1

Tim,

Sorry big guy - your waaaaayyyy off on this one!

Ria is still in AA. She is next up on the list for the next AAA slot.

So far as MLB openings, let us not forget there are two full-time umpires currently carried as "Rovers" (Hallion & Hickox).

The way it works is a AAA umpire works 1-2 years with good reviews, then is invited to MLB spring training. If they do well there then are invited to AZ fall league. If that goes well they get a shot at regular season MLB fill-in.

My understanding is every AAA crew has at least one umpire that has at least gone to MLB spring and are available for an emergency call up. the regular fill-in's and two rovers handle vacation and long term (Injury, etc) fill-in spots.

I suspect Ria will get to AAA this year, or next spring at latest. Don't forget she had a serious injury and missed several weeks last year & likely needs much of this year in AA to catch up.

sorry, socal. usually you and i are on the same page, however, this time you are off.

Ria was #5 at the end of last season. 4 guys were promoted prior to the mid season evals, leaving her on deck for the next move to trips. after the mid season evals she was reranked at #17. since then there have been a couple of moves, but she is well behind where she was when sitting on the next move. this is not to say, however, that she will not climb the ranks at the end of the seaon when the new rankings occur, so don't count her out yet.

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by bobbybanaduck

sorry, socal. usually you and i are on the same page, however, this time you are off.

Ria was #5 at the end of last season. 4 guys were promoted prior to the mid season evals, leaving her on deck for the next move to trips. after the mid season evals she was reranked at #17. since then there have been a couple of moves, but she is well behind where she was when sitting on the next move. this is not to say, however, that she will not climb the ranks at the end of the season when the new rankings occur, so don't count her out yet.

Bobby,

We are on the same page. The change would be a result of the mid-season ratings, for which I did not have details at the time I wrote the post.

[bobbybanaduck]

if you send me a $22 lifetime membership fee i'll keep you up to date better.