Mine didn't. I got off work in time to get to the games, like everyone else. That, or I was working the graveyard shift. Or was self-employed at the time, as I am an entrepreneur. I always do more than one job at a time. I do graphic design, make custom golf clubs, umpire baseball, and work at conventional jobs at times. Contrary to your belief, I haven't always been in front of a computer posting on forums all day long.

And that's only an average of 160 games a year. Sometimes I would work 200, sometimes only 120, depending on the leagues carried by our association. It's not as if I worked baseball 365 days a year.

If you really, truly want to umpire that many games, you'll arrange your work around it. That's what we all do.

Sometimes, by keeping my commitment to do a game means turning down work that would pay three or four times as much as that game, with no expenses.

But the game is usually way more fun and fulfilling, which is why I make the trade-off.

My last game was June 6. I have not worked a single baseball game and will not until March or April of 2010.

I do not know about staying sharp in baseball. I work other sports and that becomes my release. Then again I so not yearn for baseball like many here do. My first football game is tomorrow and that is something I am really looking forward to.

Peace

Ah yes the offseason. While it is just a few weeks away for me, I try to enjoy all my assignments without thinking about the season's end. Once umpiring ends, I:

-First of all, try not to think about umpiring at all, including not even visiting forums. This normally works for a month or two.
-Read rulebooks and positioning manuals.
-Practice plate mechanics indoors. Some people here flame me for it, but I have actually found it to be a great way to work on things. Better to work on stuff alone than to learn through trial and error during games.
-Look at online catalogues for equipment and uniforms.
-Study video taken of me umpiring.
-Wish the season was longer than 4 months.

Not done yet.
 

My last game was July 26th. I have some time now to spend with family and watching son play football until Fall Baseball starts Sept 13th. Five consecutive Sunday triple headers and then offseason until the first week in April (barring snow-covered fields like we had in 2008). I did 78 summer games and should pick up 15 more this fall. Not as many as a lot of you guys. Our assignor racked up almost 200 games in addition to his assignor duties.

Perhaps it's time for a job that allows you a little more freedom?


Tim.