When will you "call it a day"

[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.

[gordon30307]

Some officials are old at 40 and others are still young at 60. I'm not 60 but I'm getting close. I still look forward to my games and I have FUN. As long as it's fun and I know I'm doing a good job I'll continue officiating.

[Ump29]

I am past 60 (63) but after 20 years as an umpire, I am not ready to quit yet. Still having fun and believe it or not, still learning!!

[SanDiegoSteve]

I will quit again if and when I can no longer beat any runner to 3rd on a naked triple. I'm not one of those guys who wants the PU up there at 3rd helping out. Stay the hell at the plate, please.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I will quit again if and when I can no longer beat any runner to 3rd on a naked triple. I'm not one of those guys who wants the PU up there at 3rd helping out. Stay the hell at the plate, please.

Or staying with the B/R to 3rd (and perhaps beyond) when my partner has gone out on a trouble ball.

[UmpTTS43]

After thinking about this subject for a bit, and realizing that I will age beyond the game, ideally I will give up the game when I am dead. I have such a passion for umpiring that I hope that I can help other umpires attain their goals long after I am done on the diamond. In my area, it seems that there is a total lack of developing new talent. Politics seem to play a major role where guys are worried about losing out to up and coming umpires. I have never been a politic guy, which has been a detrement to my career, but the game will be here after I am gone and there will always be a need for umpires. At this stage, I am not the best umpire, but I know I can teach you how to be the best umpire, if not direct you how to be the best umpire, at the amateur level. Like the adage goes, do as I say, not as I do. Although I have had a run in or two with Tim C. on forums such as this, I respect what he has done on the field while never witnessing it. He will do more now, since he is out of the game, on a broader scope than he did while working in Oregon, as a teacher, writer and correspondent for the betterment of the umpireing community. As a guy from Nebraska, there are very few things I want to do in my lifetime: such as, have a drink with Dean Martin, smoke a dooby with Kieth Richards and umpire a game with Tim Christensen. Sloppy I know, but I hope that I have the ability to help others long after I am unable to perform my duties as an on field umpire. Keep the passion, teach with passion.

Troy