curious

[GarthB]

The top students from the schools are not automatically given assignments. They are first invited to a "finishing school" by PBUC. The candidates are further screened there and not all will get assignments. We had two from our association make it the PBUC session and fail to move on from there. We've also had two move on and one make it to AAA ball before being released.

Much of a minor league umpire's success in moving up is timing. If one has lasted 8 or 9 years and it appears he is lower on the "list" than the anticipated openings in the next couple of years, he will be released and younger umpires will move up to begin the wait.