Moving Someplace With More Baseball

[Armadillo_Blue]

Thank you to those of you that have responded thus far.

Umpiring is to me, somewhere between a hobby and a part time job. I started a number of years ago, but didn't really understand how little I knew until about four years ago when I discovered this forum. I like to think I have learned a lot from reading posts and responses for four years. I know I still have a long way to go.

In the area I am in there is no centralized association and no training. The training I have received is by going to clinics and camps hours away from home. The skill level varies widely and the rules knowledge is, in general, horrible.(with some notable exceptions) My current work schedule keeps me out of most high school games, so I have made a "career" out of travel teams and fall ball. The travel teams here start playing evening double headers in April and the weekend tournaments start then also. I can leave work and go to the field and work a double header instead of taking off early and working a single high school game. On the weekends there is enough of an umpire shortage that most of us working the tournament do 8-14 games between Fri, Sat and Sun. The tournaments range from 13U-18U

As I have gotten to know the local travel teams and organizations I have taken over assigning duties for their umpires. The last couple of years I have supplied umpires for a few hundred games each season. The "official" high school games are all contracted through the individual athletic directors as there is no association running things.

My goal if I stay in this area is to develop an association to cover all the games and also actually provide training and evaluation but that is still a long road involving many other people.

I have recently completed training in Lean Six Sigma and will be getting an ASQ certification. This will allow me a lot more flexibility in my job. So I have considered moving to a warmer climate where I can pursue my hobby more often and have people around me that will help me improve more than I ever can by staying here.

I am not basing a major life decision on my hobby, but incorporating something that is a large part of my life already into the decision, while also taking into account all the other important factors.

As far as Tee and Mr. Umpire, I am not sure what I have said or done in the past (I have not gone back and reread my past posts) to suggest that I am a fake. I understand the futility of trying to prove anything on a forum, but I am happy to provide any information that anyone would like to dispel that assumption. JJ is in my neck of the woods and with very little effort could check out my claims.

I have come to respect the knowledge and skills and approach of many of the regular posters on the board and hope to continue to learn from them. It is a little disheartening that I have done something to create the impression that I am not genuine, but, apparently that is the case.

Again thank you for those that have responded and hopefully those that will still respond. I will start looking into options available in the locations mentioned and contacting associations and organizations to find out the situations there.

[Umpmazza]

I think Phoenix would be the place.. or FL..Phoenix is a very big city, Tuscan is less than 2 hours away. good weather for 9 months, ( then hell comes..LOL) .

I think you can do it.. if you love to umpire that much, Heck I have a College fall ball game today..LOL then do it.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Armadillo_Blue

My current work schedule keeps me out of most high school games, so I have made a "career" out of travel teams and fall ball. The travel teams here start playing evening double headers in April and the weekend tournaments start then also.

You could pick up a different sport for the fall / winter. I find it keeps me "fresher" for spring / summer baseball than when I also did fall baseball.

[Armadillo_Blue]

I have thought about that, Bob.

I have fellow umpires encouraging me to try wrestling and volleyball. The problem is I don't have the passion for those other sports that I do for baseball.

If I dont move that will certainly be something I would explore.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Armadillo_Blue

I have thought about that, Bob.

I have fellow umpires encouraging me to try wrestling and volleyball. The problem is I don't have the passion for those other sports that I do for baseball.

If I dont move that will certainly be something I would explore.

You don't know until you try them. I've found there's nothing like being part of a football crew. And basketball is, to me, a great challenge and a lot of fun.

[Tim C]

Jeff:

Your post doesn't really make sense.

How could you jump to a conclusion that because something is considered a hobby you wouldn't pay taxes?

I have paid taxes on all my "hobby money" for the last 41 years. I paid taxes on Baseball Umpiring, Basketball Officiating, caddying, and now my new hobby.

I really don't even get your post to be honest.

T

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Jeff:

Your post doesn't really make sense.

How could you jump to a conclusion that because something is considered a hobby you wouldn't pay taxes?

I have paid taxes on all my "hobby money" for the last 41 years. I paid taxes on Baseball Umpiring, Basketball Officiating, caddying, and now my new hobby.

I really don't even get your post to be honest.

T

I did not jump to a conclusion. I just do not see something where I have to keep track of more data about pay or schedule than I would on another job and equate it as not a job of some kind. Then again there are many officials that do not claim their money, so I would see your point.

If you do not get that I really do not know what to tell you.

Oh well.

Peace

[mandotheman]

I live in Houston, Tx....plenty of ball down here, u just have to get used to the heat in the summer....

[mandotheman]

PS, u will have to fight traffic here in Houston, so if you have a high school game at 7pm, just leave ur job around 430pm or 5pm to get there on time...

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Jeff:

Your post doesn't really make sense.

How could you jump to a conclusion that because something is considered a hobby you wouldn't pay taxes?

I have paid taxes on all my "hobby money" for the last 41 years. I paid taxes on Baseball Umpiring, Basketball Officiating, caddying, and now my new hobby.

I really don't even get your post to be honest.

T

Your point is absolutely true. If there is any documentation regarding the "hobby money", (1099, W2, etc.) and it is not reported, it will start raising flags. If someone gets audited and it is determined that any of the past three years worth of returns had omitted income, then the previous seven years can be investigated. They won't (likely) drill you for missing a couple hundred dollars worth of 1099's. Guys working strictly seasonally, who are almost exclusively paid in cash with no or few records, are often told by their tax pro's to just not worry about it. But when records are made that link your SSN to your work, it's a good idea to just suck it up and report your income. You can do it on Schedule C, and keep track of your expenses so that you can deduct a lot of your business expenses.

[SAump]

SD, Ca.
Houston and Dallas, TX

[realistic]

Atlanta is a place where you can ump 2 a day for about 8 months out of the year. All levels and not a bad place if you want to work college as well.

[kylejt]

I'm biased, but why wouldn't you want to live in San Diego?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I'm biased, but why wouldn't you want to live in San Diego?

Hm, something about the Richter scale...it'll come to me...

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I'm biased, but why wouldn't you want to live in San Diego?

One reason is that the real estate on in the Sea of Tranquility is cheaper than the San Diego area.