Emporer of Umpire Empire Empirically Incorrect ?
 

http://www.umpire-empire.com/index.p...p2_articleid=4

Good luck on your venture.

The above is, at least to me, disconcerting specifically the comment:

"The first question out of peoples mouths when I discuss umpiring is usually something to the effect of, ‘Are you paid for that?’ Despite the term amateur, we are paid; and it’s a pretty nice side income. Amateur refers to the level of ball we are calling. But please don’t expect to quit your day job. If you think you will umpire solely for the money, DON’T. Please go away leave our sport and get a part-time job at Wal-Mart. They hire anybody, the work is year round and they don’t seem to care that their employees don’t care about their jobs."

Maybe I missed the humor, if so, apologies are in effect. If not, ??

I'm game.

Whats your problem with the quote? The reference to Wal-Mart????

BTW, Thanks for visiting my site.:D

I could see potenial for an issue, if this were the entire quote. Just like in the newspapers, you have to be carfeful about what you say, because they will quote you directly and print the parts they want to. This looks like a contraversy - without the next sentence. The entire comment makes sense. This quote is accurate, but out of context. That's the only problem I see with it.

I've heard several people say that you shouldn't do it for the $$ b/c you do the game and the participants an injustice if that's your only motivation for being out there. This is nothing new - it's just not sugar coated.

In part, Yes, the reference to Wal-mart which could have been an attempt at humor that I failed to register.

The part I find untruthful is that umpires, the majority, DO officiate for the money. I would refer you to several discussions in the archives in 2007 about this matter. If you would prefer, I will summarize them in a paragraph or two.

Sure, I hope you perform well with it. I am in the business of officiating and believe that good businesses in our line of work are hard to find. Success should be beneficial for all of us. :)

There was a time when people who were employed at Wal-Mart were the best among their community. In small towns, the manager of Wal-Mart was one of the most important citizens there.

I support that people who umpire, including many of those on the forum who claim otherwise, do so because the money is necessary to them.

There was I time when you could buy a new car for $2000 and fill it up with gas for $2.00. This ain't a fairy tale. He's not talking about "once upon a time."

You used to be able to return things to Walmart, no questions asked. Now you get the third degree and I know of several times when they refused the return (on a NEW product WITH a receipt) and they hire anyone who can run a register. Not all Walmart employees are bad people. But to say they all are the pillar of the community is not saying much for the community.

This was not meant to insult Walmart employees. He could have said McDonald's, Burger King, K-Mart...The point is that you don't have to give a damn about WalMart to work there. That's why you need the next sentence in the quote - He said basically -WalMart employees don't have to care about Walmart but umpires should care about baseball.

What's so freaking hard about that?



There is a difference in doing it FOR the money and doing it because you love the game, etc. Getting paid is a bonus. Yes, the money helps. And yes I'll do a $50 game before I do a $35 game. But I'm not on the field for the money. I'm on the field because I want to be on the field and b/c I love baseball. The money being "necessary" and officiating for the money are too different concepts.

Not that I expect you to grasp the difference.

If you just need the money, you can go work at WalMart part time. Most of us CHOOSE to umpire baseball for reasons OTHER THAN the money.

Whenever I hear a guy tell me that he doesn't umpire for the money I go to the assigner or tournament director and tell him to give that guy's game fees to me.

I do umpire in part to stay in contact with the game I grew up with and love. In part because I know that every kid I see on the field is a kid I will not hear about in the news shooting up a neighborhood or school, and because the exercise I get keeps me from becoming Jabba the Hut and is much more fun than killing my knees on the sidewalks around the neighborhood.

But the primary reason I umpire is the money. It is a source of income for me and I will freely admit it to anyone who asks.

My comment was a reflection not a statement of the times. Well, I suppose it was considering that I would accept that Wal=Mart then and now are two different service organizations.

But he did not. How do you know what the intention was of the Wal-Mart comment? I don't.

Nothing, why do you suppose I would insist otherwise? :confused: Might I suggest that you polish off your paranormal powers, the ones you used to see into the mind of the Author of the OP, and look clearly into mine. :D

Do you love the money or the level of play? if the level of play, then you would have been more accurate to state, "I will do a HS game before an 11yo game" or some such.

I take no pay, I grasp it firmly.

A fresh breeze enters the room. :)

OK, I'll ask. Why do you umipre? Why not work at McDonald's, or JcPenny? If it is indeed the income you desire, why not work somewhere that you can "perform" all year (rather than seasonally) and where you can probably get more money?

I think I know why. Because you would rather umpire. So it's not so much the money you want. Although, you wouldn't do it for free. You prefer to be on the field with something you enjoy rather than flipping burgers. The fact that you get paid to do this is a tremendous motivator. But you could do something else -if indeed money was your #1 factor in the decision.

I contest that you do not umpire "for the money" I would say that you, like most, want (or need) extra income and you CHOSE to get that money on the baseball field. You chose to do something you grew up with, something you love. But indeed you could get the money from some other source.

Both actually. I would take a HS game over an 11 yo game. I also would take the extra $15 regardless of level. If you were going to pay me the same for both -I'm taking the higher level. If I have a choice of the same level and more pay -I'm taking the pay. But either way, I'm going to be on the field and money has not gotten me out there. Money may have gotten me to a different field, a different contest -but I'm going to umpire anyway.

Because I read the ENTIRE statement. I didn't stop where your quote did. It seemed pretty clear what the intent was.

I answered the pay issue.

Why I umpire is for the physical nature of the work, I enjoy it and am very accomplished at it, I umpire with a small crew who are close freinds and family, for business purposes, I love the game and especially enjoy the adult semi-pro ball play, it is an offer to the communities I umpire in, several more reasons.

Asked and answered, your paranormal powers didn't quite get to the bottom of my post. :D

Incorrect.
"Pretty clear" is not "knowing" the mind of the OP. :(

The only time I donate my time umpiring is for a charitable cause. I'd never be a volunteer LL Umpire. I spend too much money on equipment, travel, meetings etc. I've worked to hard on rules, mechanics etc. too give it away for free. I officiate (I'm multi sport) because it's fun (most of the time) and challenging managing a game it such a way that you're not noticed.

LL where I originated from was a joke, the LL umpires were paid and paid above the average. The local organization who booked the leagues were realists as were the LL officers who ran it. LL looked the other way.

As they did, the LL org morphed into East Cobb baseball, which may be the largest amateur, for-profit baseball organization in the South.

I think I've worked games from East Cobb in Illinois. 15 year old's playing in the CABA World Series. I believe they were from Georgia. To the best of my recollection they send competitive teams and they seem to do OK.

lets see what I can do to clear some of my intent as brought up here.

Money

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interested Ump The part I find untruthful is that umpires, the majority, DO officiate for the money. I would refer you to several discussions in the archives in 2007 about this matter.

I cannot and will not deny that money is a factor and an important one. Money should not be the exclusive factor nor should someone be in a situation where they are dependent on the baseball money. The season is relatively short, there are rainouts, cancellations, and other factors which can disrupt the money flow. Taking a part-time job anywhere would probably be more lucrative than umpiring when looked at on an annual basis.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interested Ump I am in the business of officiating and believe that good businesses in our line of work are hard to find. Success should be beneficial for all of us.

I fully agree and I believe in being successful as officials is calling out the bad ones, this includes helping bad officials find their way out of our sports. I would bet you have seen these guys that only are in it for the money. From my experience they tend to be the reda$$es who make everybody’s job more difficult. I also notice and don't shed a tear when they leave officiating after a short time. I firmly believe to transcend from an average official to a top-tier official you need to have a passion at some level in the sport, in officiating, and in your officials association you represent. There is so much more intrinsic reward to officiating than the extrinsic paycheck. I love my HS games and have earned the right to get more of these games than many other guys, just as I'm trying to earn the right to break into D-III/JuCo ball, but I will not turn-back a $25 coach pitch game either.

Wal-Mart

I will capitulate this may be a low blow. Of all the places I could have listed I specifically choose Wal-Mart. Overall when it comes to having a lack of passion for your job Wal-Mart employees and management take the cake. Obviously there are individual exceptions to the rule, but from my experience they are few and far between. Do I still shop there? Yes. Do I try to avoid them like the plague? Yes. I see Wal-Mart as a necessary evil. If given a choice I will go elsewhere, but often times they are convenient, have what I need and are lower priced.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interested Ump Why I umpire is for the physical nature of the work, I enjoy it and am very accomplished at it, I umpire with a small crew who are close freinds and family, for business purposes, I love the game and especially enjoy the adult semi-pro ball play, it is an offer to the communities I umpire in, several more reasons.

Amen, except we don't have semi-pro ball around here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManInBlue Because you would rather umpire. So it's not so much the money you want. Although, you wouldn't do it for free. You prefer to be on the field with something you enjoy rather than flipping burgers. The fact that you get paid to do this is a tremendous motivator. But you could do something else -if indeed money was your #1 factor in the decision.

Yes! I think we're all in agreement here.

Weather I agree or disagre, I love it when people get fired up about umpiring. It shows the passion which I was speaking of.

I would love both of you to come join my site and share your thoughts and views there as well as here.

Cheers!

Amazing. That is EXACTLY what I got out of the article.

Paranormal powers functioning normally. "Pretty clear" seems to get the job done.

Interesteding. :rolleyes:

Money

Quote: Originally Posted by Interested Ump

The part I find untruthful is that umpires, the majority, DO officiate for the money. I would refer you to several discussions in the archives in 2007 about this matter.

Philosophically accurate, reality short. There are many people here on this forum and in umpiring nationally that not only have officiating as a secondary, completely necessary income but have it as a sole income. I can think of a small % of umpires who do not need the money by their own admission and evidence in my 40+ years in officiating. Because they have invested and scheduled umpiring, it is a known and somewhat secure income, they often cannot abandon that choice unless a better job comes their way.


Although we suffer the transients and the “money only” guys, without them, many umpire organizations, and leagues, could not survive.

Thanks for the rebuttal.

Customer service is non-existent and officiating is a cutomer service occupation. I believe we have every right, if we do our jobs and take the grief we have to, to expect nothing less of those who don't take foul balls in the nutz.

Then you will have no problem knowing what a <insert> you act like. Or what my interp is on why you didnt quote anyone but flip off replies fully expecting everyone knows WTH you are talking about. :rolleyes:

Fitty no sense - good to hear from you!!:rolleyes:

I replied in direct line with the thread. Quotes weren't necessary for anyone with ANY basic reasoning skills. I mean it's not like I replied to one comment from the OP fifteen pages later. Get real, man. It seems apparent that you understood WTH I was talking about. So what's the prob? Just stirring the pot as usual, huh?

Your opinion of "what I act like" has no bearing on my life, my ability, or my willingness to post on this site. That's sort of like the pot calling the kettle black, don't you think?

edit to add - quote included so that Fitty doesn't get lost.

Originally Posted by fitump56
Then you will have no problem knowing what a you act like. Or what my interp is on why you didnt quote anyone but flip off replies fully expecting everyone knows WTH you are talking about.

Which is why you quoted Donovan this time.

I think.

No, I'm confused. Please, clarify, why is it you pick and choose when to quote?

Emporer of Umpire Empire Empirically Incorrect ?

Maybe, maybe not. But EMPEROR is the correct spelling.

Bob

As Man In Blue would respond

Got it

Hey, I did too, where's my thanks? :D :D

Thanks Fitump and to all of you for visiting. I saw my traffic get a nice little bump directly from this thread.

Just out of pure shameless self promotion, by the volume of new visitors hitting my site from here I was expecting a higher rate of people becoming members. But no worries, my site is still new and I'm still developing it into what I want. When you visit shoot me (Umpire in Chief) a PM and let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions.

Not trying to kill your dreams but the number of umpires online is a very small percentage (excluding the buying public). This forum has in a world of umpires a relative handful of posters and it would be deemd by all standards a success. There are a few quasi-forums, most runaways who have been TOSsed, have no day jobs and post about this forum. :D

Either way, good luck again.

Not exactly sure how to take this:confused:

The great thing about the internet is that its is unimaginably large and growing everyday. And nothing on the internet, to the best of my knowledge, is mutually exclusive nor collectively exhaustive. I personally cruise b/t 15-20 baseball/umpire sites a day and have for a few years. I even posted here under a different username until recently. Nothing other than my personal preferences (and my company's internet filter ;) )limit which sites I go to or participate in.

I am trying to offer something very different than most other sites. My focus is to be more than just a forum, I am really gearing for the ultimate interactive site for umpires. Some of my interactive features include:

• Forum
• Reviews - Where members can load and rate equipment, vendors and as of yesterday training & clinics. Share their thoughts on different things.
• Articles - As you've read. I create little articles as to what happens to spark my interest at the time. Members can not only make comments on these articles, but write their own. One person has already taken advantage of this. And I would welcome you, Interested Ump, to submit those of your own. I don't care if I disagree with you as long as its decently well written, germane, and not offensive.
• Links - An interactive link section where you can not only see what links I've posted, but post your own favorites. I really would like to get a comprehensive list of associations. As well as discover new sites to add to my daily surfing.
• Live chat - I am currently testing two live chat boards. One has voice capability. Look out for this in the next month or so.
• Blogs - I have a predetermined number of members in mind before adding blogs for members. Once I hit my magic number in terms of members I will start offering members their own blog hosted at my site where they can post their own experiences and control who views their blog everybody, nobody invited users, etc. I think this will be a nice feature.
• Classifieds/auctions - Very much like an Ebay where umpires(members) can sell their stuff to other members. This section is ready to go I'm just waiting on some legal advice.

As you can see I'm looking to offer something far different than what is out there currently. You've just inspired me to write a new article, thanks (should be out later today or tomorrow depending on how quickly I can knock out some work here at my regular job).

I am actually very pleased with the response I've received from my site thus far. Today is the 44th day my site is live and I am just shy of my 500th unique visitor by IP address, 31 members, not to mention the numbers of return visitors. This has far exceeded my goals for this point in the game, but I've still got a long way to go.

For comparison purposes some research I did stated that the conversion rate (unique visitors to members) is <5% for sites in existance less than a year. I am just above 6%.

Do I want to be the next Officiating.com or Umpires Resource Center? No, I am looking to be more interactive. Do I want the traffic and membership levels they have? Absolutely. Is there anything preventing anybody from visiting one, two, all or no similar sites? No. Those who host forums or websites don't mind (generally) others promoting their sites. I have/had a very successful political site for a while (It's still going, I just tend it a lot less than I use to) which was essentially a glorified blog with limited interactivity and I openly solicited people to from other sites to mine and visa-versa with no problem either way because we're not competing for their money.

Before this thread came out to draw attention to my site I was planning on a Shamless Self Promotion Blitz. Very similar to what Rob Drake has successfully done. And I probably will still do, but I have a few bugs I'm still working out and want things to be just a little better cleaned up and just right before doing anything like that. Besides this is Rob's time and I don't want to step on his toes, so I'll probably continue to hang back as not to steal his spotlite.

I'll post here again and PM you personally when my latest idea for an article is posted.

Ump-Emp no one is trying to offset your goasl, go for it, the more the merrier. :D

Hey Ump-Emp, the kid coaching first base doesn't have a helmet on! :D

Eject him!