A Primer For Going Pro

[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.