MLBU - what kind of program would you run

Originally Posted by GarthB

We don't need NCAA or Baseball Canada involved in saying who may or may not be qualified to be trained as a professional umpire. It is far better to let those who aspire to that level select themselves as candidates.

Hmmmmmmm...for the sake of argument, basketball and football do it this way!

It seems that college basketball ref's call a MUCH better game than the pro's. But that is a different story.

The fact is, baseball is the only major sport where amateur level experience does NOT count towards advancement to the pro ranks!

I am not sure that is either good or bad. I do know this. I have worked with many ex professional umpires. None are all that bad, but few were all that great either! I have also worked with far too many guys coming out of Evan's school who are just plain bad. The guys that improved would have done so simply with a one week camp and working another 30 games with a good mentor. Some of the best umpires I have worked with did not attend a professional umpire school!

I am not saying the current system is good or bad. I just don't agree it is for sure the best way to go about it!