Emporer of Umpire Empire Empirically Incorrect ?

[Interested Ump]

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, ??

[Emperor Ump]

I'm game.

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

[Emperor Ump]

BTW, Thanks for visiting my site.

[ManInBlue]

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.

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by ManInBlue

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.

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'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.

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.

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by Interested Ump

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.

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?

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 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.

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by Emperor Ump

BTW, Thanks for visiting my site.

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.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by Emperor Ump

BTW, Thanks for visiting my site.

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

[Emperor Ump]

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.

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by Emperor Ump

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.

Either way, good luck again.

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by Emperor Ump

I'm game.

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

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.