A Primer For Going Pro

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I may be wrong, but I thought Ria moved up to AAA this season and has a solid chance at replacing Froemming next year.


Tim.

Cortesio is in AA and has no chance of replacing Froemming. She hasn't even done a fill-in replacement job in the Majors, so why would she be considered for a permanent position.

[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

[Tim C]

While I seldom agree with Mr. Kaufman the people that I speak with at minor league levels have told me the exact same review of Rita.

I was also told that it was her base work that held back significantly.

This has been a very difficult year for A and AA umpires. Several have all ready "self-released" themselves after reviews.

It is the nature of the profession.

Regards,

[justanotherblue]

During my time in school, it was truly inspiring watching some of the kids work. They truly stood out, mostly second year attendees, they were fun to watch. I make my mistakes, and know it immediatly, the "Man in the Mirror" holds true for me every day.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Tim C

While I seldom agree with Mr. Kaufman the people that I speak with at minor league levels have told me the exact same review of Rita.

I was also told that it was her base work that held back significantly.

This has been a very difficult year for A and AA umpires. Several have all ready "self-released" themselves after reviews.

It is the nature of the profession.

Regards,

My information is that this is the first year of mid-season ratings and rankings. As Tee said, in part, this has been the cause of several MiLB umpires self releasing. Why? If one has been in, let's say, AA for four or five years and finds himself ranked in the bottom half at mid-season, he may find it easier to leave now and begin the process of getting on with life rather than finish out the year and being released over the winter.

For those keeping score, I believe Jason Klein was the top rated AA umpire at the end of last season. He moved up to AAA this season.

[fitump56]

[quote=GarthB] As Tee said, in part, this has been the cause of several MiLB umpires self releasing. Why? If one has been in, let's say, AA for four or five years and finds himself ranked in the bottom half at mid-season, he may find it easier to leave now and begin the process of getting on with life rather than finish out the year and being released over the winter.

[quote]

Or not being released. Either way, youthful exuberance wears off when you know you have hit the ceilng. The majority will and the ones who forego college or post graduate might find themselves late in life to choose an educational path.

Which is the point of my OP. Let them know the slim chances, the very, very slim chances of MLB.

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by GarthB

My information is that this is the first year of mid-season ratings and rankings. As Tee said, in part, this has been the cause of several MiLB umpires self releasing. Why? If one has been in, let's say, AA for four or five years and finds himself ranked in the bottom half at mid-season, he may find it easier to leave now and begin the process of getting on with life rather than finish out the year and being released over the winter.

For those keeping score, I believe Jason Klein was the top rated AA umpire at the end of last season. He moved up to AAA this season.

Garth,

Your right on the $$$. My partner was #1 and was promoted to AAA (International League).

[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.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Cortesio is in AA and has no chance of replacing Froemming. She hasn't even done a fill-in replacement job in the Majors, so why would she be considered for a permanent position.

Like I said, I may be wrong and apparently I was. Though if my memory serves me right there was an article on Ria where she discussed the possibilities of her suing MLB if she was released without being given a shot at the show. Again, I could be wrong, but I'm a big enough man to admit it when I am.


Tim.

[Jerry]

By Ria's own account, she knows that she'll move up to AAA as soon as an opening occurs. From there, she'll be scouted by MLB and, if all works well, could be selected to be a fill in for regular season games in a year or two. From that point, it's only a matter of time that she'd be selected to work full-time for MLB. Her best-case scenario, puts all of that happening in 2009 at the earliest.

She's only 30 years old; so she still has a couple of years to get the experience that she needs.

Jerry

[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.

[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".

[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.

[socalblue1]

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.

One has a far better shot of getting into a D1 conference than making AAA. D1 umpires make more $$ for less work & far less BS too.

[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)....