When will you "call it a day"

[jkumpire]

Never.

Heaven needs umpires too.

[cbfoulds]

I am 53 years old. I started umpiring the same week I learned I was going to be the father of a son [he's now 18]. I "set the date" quite some time ago, but it is not on any calendar [yet]. I plan to quit on the day that (a) I cannot get from A to the 3d base cut-out comfortably ahead of both the ball and an ambitious 16-year-old batter-runner; or (b) when it stops being fun - whichever comes first.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by cbfoulds

I am 53 years old. I started umpiring the same week I learned I was going to be the father of a son [he's now 18]. I "set the date" quite some time ago, but it is not on any calendar [yet]. I plan to quit on the day that (a) I cannot get from A to the 3d base cut-out comfortably ahead of both the ball and an ambitious 16-year-old batter-runner; or (b) when it stops being fun - whichever comes first.

So when you can't get to the cut-out at third, switch to the smaller diamond! Umpiring needs you, even after you've lost a step ... or two.

[David B]

Pete,

I see your point, but i think it's different for every umpire. The biggest problem as others have said is there is no young umpires who are coming behind us to carry the torch.

We see it every weekend with all of the "select ball" being played with umpires calling the games with little or no experience. It's quite painful since I have spent most of my officiating career as one of the trainers for the associations that I've worked with.

As far as calling it quits, that will come for me when i cannot enjoy it any longer, or physically cannot give it 100%. I will be 50 next year, but I still love the game of baseball. I really don't care to watch it from the stands, but for some reason i love watching it as an umpire.

As far as accomplishments, I've about done everything you can do as an amateur umpire, but I still have the desire to help train up umpires who still care about the game like we were taught when we started.

Thanks
David

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by David B

The biggest problem as others have said is there is no young umpires who are coming behind us to carry the torch.....

As far as accomplishments, I've about done everything you can do as an amateur umpire, but I still have the desire to help train up umpires who still care about the game like we were taught when we started.

Then do like me, and head down to your local Little League park and start a Junior Umpire program. I'm putting 30 kids on the field every year, many of whom end up working for the local association down the road. There's your future.

[briancurtin]

I'll call it a day as soon as I miss a call. *wink*

[yawetag]

I'm turning 30 this week, so I'm far away from even thinking about stopping for age reasons.

Like the others, however, I'll quit when it's no longer fun. I've had other interests in the past and I gave them up, or cut the down, when the fun was no longer there. I still enjoy some of those hobbies, but not nearly as much as before.

Right now, umpiring is tons of fun -- at all levels. I'm sure I'll be tired of it one day, but that day isn't even on the radar right now.

[David B]

Originally Posted by kylejt

Then do like me, and head down to your local Little League park and start a Junior Umpire program. I'm putting 30 kids on the field every year, many of whom end up working for the local association down the road. There's your future.

Not necessarily, we've had one in place for the last six years. It's a good program and I've had lots of potential and some very good young umpires.

The problem that we've faced, is that I don't see them sticking with it. We've done it enough years now to see the progression. I used umpiring as a way to pay for college and to work on my Masters degree. Easy way to work around my college etc, with good pay, flexible hours.

Of the 20 or so that we've worked with, only a couple are still umpiring. Once they get to college, they give it up etc.,

But, we won't give up. If we've gotten one good umpire, that's progress.

I hope others are doing the same.

Thanks
David

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by David B

The problem that we've faced, is that I don't see them sticking with it. We've done it enough years now to see the progression.

Of the 20 or so that we've worked with, only a couple are still umpiring. Once they get to college, they give it up etc.

Same here. For whatever reason it seems the young-teenage, "This is easy and I'd like to have some spending money" is overcome by the older-teenage "This takes up too much of my time when I could be doing something else and isn't worth it anymore."

If we can find a few that will keep at it, we consider ourselves lucky.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by grunewar

Same here. For whatever reason it seems the young-teenage, "This is easy and I'd like to have some spending money" is overcome by the older-teenage "This takes up too much of my time when I could be doing something else and isn't worth it anymore."

If we can find a few that will keep at it, we consider ourselves lucky.

I have taught baseball at many levels. But a love of the game can't be taught. Umpires need to have that love of the game. I present it, and if a greater love of the game is acquired, then that's great. But it has to be in the person.

The only kid I saw stick at umpiring, who doesn't really love the game, is a guy who gets off on being an authority. He's also a horrible umpire.

[Always Wright]

I turned 54 last Saturday and will be starting my 30th year umpiring in March. I call HS & JUCO in the spring, PONY in the summer (not so much in the summer any more). I wanted to reach 30 years, so I will work this year. After that, I am going to seriously evaluate. I did not have a great year last year. I missed more calls on the bases than I can remember. I did OK behind the dish. I'm going to work real hard at having a better year this year. I have to decide if the bad calls were a result of some degree of not working hard enough, or if I just can't do it anymore because I have slowed down too much. Also, the cold weather in March and April gets to me a lot more now than it used too. Even if I give up working on the field I will stay involved. I teach a course in my school in Officiating and one of my students has gone on to a fine career calling college ball and working in one of the independent leagues.

Chris Wright
Brooklyn, NY

[IowaMike]

[QUOTE=David B;647313]Not necessarily, we've had one in place for the last six years. It's a good program and I've had lots of potential and some very good young umpires.

The problem that we've faced, is that I don't see them sticking with it. We've done it enough years now to see the progression. I used umpiring as a way to pay for college and to work on my Masters degree. Easy way to work around my college etc, with good pay, flexible hours.

Of the 20 or so that we've worked with, only a couple are still umpiring. Once they get to college, they give it up etc.,

But, we won't give up. If we've gotten one good umpire, that's progress.

I hope others are doing the same.



It's really tough sometimes to stick with umpiring or officiating long term. I umpired some local little league in high school but gave it up after that. I got back into officiating when I was 38 (basketball and baseball) and have stayed in basketball for 10 years. However, I did give up baseball for about 4 or 5 years because I had three sons playing and didn't have the time. I'm down to one now so I can work my games around his. All three of my older boys played baseball all through high school, but none played basketball, so I had no problem continuing to work that sport. I've also seen guys give it up because their wives get tired of them being gone so much and give them an ultimatum. My job took a toll on my basketball schedule for a few years at one time too, although it no longer does. There are just a lot of things that can lead a guy to give it up. Even though I still love it, there are still nights when I rush from work to go work a baseball or basketball doubleheader an hour away when I wonder why I do it. I almost always enjoy the games once I get there and get started. I finally learned that cutting back my schedule made officiating more enjoyable for me.

Don't know when the time will come to quit, but I am certain I will know when it gets here. As others have said, when it is no longer fun, when I don't look forward to the start of each season, I will walk away with no regrets, many friends and a ton of great memories.

[umpref]

I will move down from college to high school only, then from HS to JBO, etc..I will move down each time when as the plate ump, I can't get at least half way between the dirt of the mound and 2nd base when my partner goes out. I make the cutout pretty easily still at 43 year old with 25 years umping. I think I can do another 10 at least at the collegiate level, maybe 20 if I can keep myself in good shape.

If you can't at least make it up 1/3 the 1st base line on an infield grounder, or make it AT LEAST between the mound and 2nd base when your partner goes out, you SHOULD NOT do that level! You are a disservice to the game at that point. Be good to the game and make room for the younger guys to move up. The lower level games that you can keep up with need quality officiating too!

[DG]

When I get grand studs (or gals) who want to be with me during baseball season, I will quit in instant.

[johnnyg08]

One reason I'll be with it for a long time God-willing is that I can't stand sitting the the bleachers with the casual fan. I like watching baseball with people who love and understand the intricacies of the game...which makes watching baseball in the stands, not very fun 99% of the time.