When is it Time

[David B]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

Hi all:

Tee's latest OP about him hanging it up got me to thinking (could be dangerous)

At the end of every season do you say to yourself

"Self it's time to call it a career I had enough"

Then Jan / Feb rolls around and you start the cycle all over again.

To me quitting umpiring is similar to quitting smoking (for those of you who have smoked and stopped) meaning we either Do IT or NOT.

Case and point:

Have you come into a year saying I am going to cut down on my schedule. Then the season begins, Tournaments come around and the assignor calls you and says

"I know you said you wanted to cut down on your schedule but I am in a bind and need you to do 6-9 games this weekend"

Before you know it you are 'back in the groove" doing as many games as you did in the past.

I know injuries have a part in our decision but have any of you said to yourself at the end of another season

"I had enough" or

When do you think you will finally call it a day.

Thanks

Pete Booth

I've thought about calling it quits several times, but I have succeeded in just backing down my schedule.

I quit calling "small ball" (players that don't shave) 10 years ago, but when I moved two years ago, it made it easier to step back.

Now I only call HS and above. This season I did about 30 games total and this summer I have 10 doubleheaders and will call a few tourneys.

I quit doing the long weekend stuff several years ago, not any fun anymore to call 10 games a day and all that stuff.

I also like to call no more than two games a week.

But I will admit it gets hard around playoff time. Going from calling in two state championships to simply calling a first round playoff game gets tough.
That's when I find that I miss the big games and the big crowds.

Thansk
David

[DG]

This is first year I have given a thought to giving it up. And I started thinking weeks ago, not at end of season, which is typically October here. I have reduced schedule already, over past few years. I still go when assignor calls, but I am beginning to dislike double headers...

[IowaMike]

Originally Posted by DG

This is first year I have given a thought to giving it up. And I started thinking weeks ago, not at end of season, which is typically October here. I have reduced schedule already, over past few years. I still go when assignor calls, but I am beginning to dislike double headers...

Doubleheaders are all we get here in Iowa at the high school level. Frankly, I would prefer to do single games myself. For me, it's not as bad if I get the first game behind the plate, but I really don't like spending two hours out in the field on a humid 92 degree day then suiting up for another two hour game behind the plate. Reducing your schedule is a good way to maintain the enjoyment of working the games. I would bet that most guys work a lot early on in their careers because we are trying to get some experience and do favors for a lot of different assignors. My first year in baseball, between mid April to Mid July, I worked over 80 baseball games. It was too much, and I made the same mistake in basketball my first few years, working 5 or 6 days a week and multiple games on many days. I found that I enjoyed it a lot more working just a few days a week. After all, it isn't my job, just a hobby that pays a little extra walking around cash.