When will you "call it a day"

[RPatrino]

49 years old? I don't believe it!! You don't look a day over 30...

[jkumpire]

Never.

Heaven needs umpires too.

[Forest Ump]

Thanks Kevin.

Believe it Bob, I've got the snow on the roof to prove it.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I remember the first snow. It came along with the first (and only) wife and the first kid.

[jicecone]

Well last month, the BIG 60 came upon me. My son sent a card that said "Happy Birthday Dad , your not getting older, your getting better. When I opened the inside of the card it said. "Hell, you were OLD last year"!

I've been lucky because, I have never HAD to officiate. Its always been because I wanted to. When my desire dwindles, my hustle and performance start hurting the games I officiate, and I can no longer actually EARN the fee I receive, then I will either hang it up or do games at lower levels.

Every year I work on improving another part of my umpiring. Well I'm still working on it.

I love this game of Basiball, it has been very very good for me.

[soundedlikeastrike]

I'm fity, 31 years of BB, Three reasons drove me to call it a day.

1. Health, I've a blood disorder that has my platelets going through the sh///er. Foul balls that get any meat leave me looking like I went through a grinder with bruising. Doc, my bride and nurse daughter convinced me begrudgingly, it wasn't worth the risk/s, severe bruising is bleeding, if it occurs at the wrong time or place I could be in trouble. I'm not the guy that'll just work the bases, selfish yes, but the way it is. I've worked a lot of softball over the past few years (8) as a side gig, enjoy the heck out of it, but it just doesn't fill the BB needs, so I hung that up too.

2. Pete nailed it, and it pushed my second foot out the door;
"I do not know about you but one of these years I want a full and relaxing summer"
I truley enjoyed a full summer (meaning spring, summer and fall) of goofing off, camping with the grand studs, hiking, swimming and sunning, ah, it was wonnerful. I still pay my dues (just in case) attend a training session or two, offer advice to those that wish it, even offered up and did a few evals. I think I'll be okay with it, but the itch is still there, I miss the best seat in the house.

3. These umpire training guru's got to me too and those that drink the kool-ade, which I've shared somewhat in a few past heated posts. Tag a guy for a third out, then appeal to 1B cause the BR didn't touch it..Mr DD is rolling in his grave..on deck batters allowed to wonder willy nilly on the field of play knocking balls outta play, for extra base awards, there are more for sure.
These guys put out some great stuff don't get me wrong, some great tools to learn the craft, but they do use some fodder to fill pages IMHO. Do bring these topics up at your training/meetings, and do as your association dictates...

We'll see where the future takes me, Grand studs time's of ball are coming up. Coaching is my first passion, 17 years worth, BB, hoops and soccer, hint, hint, oh son-in-law. Already been approached to wear the zebra outfit (white cane and sunglasses) and considering this here soccer stuff too, though not sure I'd like being out in those type elements, first time I rained a soccer game out, I'm sure I'd be taking some heat :')

I'm still playing hoops, just staying outta the paint (as much as possible, no more diving, or knocking heads, and only a few charges taken this year (flops) and been know to linger in the outfield for some softball, can't hurt me out there, the only threat is running the bases (wild throws), which they have the coolest (courtesy runner) rule, run down some fly balls, slash a single then let the non-hitting young-n's run for me, or pull out the stops with a long ball from time to time..dabbling in billiards (BCA) they even have certified officials, and cribbage (ACC) they have officials too, darts, maybe some shuffleboard, you know those less contact sports.

So in closing, yes, there is life without umpiring, ya just gotta work at it a bit harder.

Call em as you see em. Happy Holidays.

[justanotherblue]

When I can no longer keep up. Like other posters here, I refuse to be the old guy who plants his arse in B or C and air mails every call. Nor will I work the dirt around the dish. If I can't make my rotations, then it's time to hang em up. Most importantly, when it's no longer fun. I spent wayyy to much money to attend JEAPU, only to learn that to attend at 48, won't get you anywhere, especially when you live in the wrong area for overall good baseball. (I was hoping to move into D1 ball, not MiLB.) So, at 52, with a surgically reparied back, I'll work till it's no longer fun or I simply can't physically work and keep up without the fear of re-injuring myself.

[ozzy6900]

To Pete:

I agree with everything you said. I too am growing tired of all the BS there is with baseball. the coaches, the players and the crowd are slowly becoming a thorn that I do not wish to pull out of my back side any longer.

To Tim C

A shame for your younger umpires not to get the chance that many of your veterans had - to work with a classic umpire of days gone by. I am coming to that point that you have already passed.

I think that this coming season, I will do more evaluating than umpiring. I will still be able to pass on to younger umpires my skills and knowledge. I love being on the field but between the surgeries, the heart and age, I see that the end is approaching.