2007-09-25 02:51:34 · 12 answers · asked by mymnry 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
You should work some lower level games to start out. Most high level umpires started out by volunteering to do Little League games. As you progress up the ladder - small field to big field, you should work freshman HS games, then Varsity games as you get more experience. You should probably work your way up to the Junior College level eventually. There are two professional umpire schools recognized by MLB - one by Jim Evans (http://umpireacademy.com/) and one by Harry Wendelstedt (http://www.umpireschool.com/). These are 5/6 weeks long and cost around 4 - $5000. If you are older than 30, I wouldn't bother. The pay is very low (1800 - 3400/month) until you reach the pros. The chances of becoming a MLB umpire is tougher than becoming a MLB player. I am an umpire and I am making $100 - $300 on weekends doing tournaments, high school and college level ball. It is a good way to pick up money outside of my normal job. I also still do volunteer umpire for LL, which is close to my heart.
2007-09-27 06:36:47 · answer #1 · answered by backpacker57 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can go to umpiring school which you can probably find information about at mlb.com
Also a good way to start is by contacting your local high school athletic directors. There is often a chronic shortage of umpires at the junior varsity and lower levels as well as local youth organizations, summer leagues etc. You can probably make a few extra bucks and get a little experience plus see if you might actually like it. Depending on what area you live in in the early season you will freeze your butt off and in the middle of the summer it will be hot. Either way it is hard work, at the lowest levels there are virtually never more than two umpires on a game when you are starting out and often you will be working alone behind the plate. Often it can be mind numbingly boring - think of pitchers who can't find the plate and lots of errors in the field. You can find yourself praying for a run rule or darkness to kick in to end a 3 hour marathon.
2007-09-25 03:06:27 · answer #2 · answered by ligoneskiing 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Attend one of the preferred umpiring schools and be prepared to spend years in the minors. The methodology is not substantially different from how players reach the majors, except there is no draft.
Helpful but not necessary: get your weight up to at least 250 pounds and have a chip (any type) surgically grafted to one shoulder. You'll also need a thick skin, selective deafness, and perfect eyesight (no matter how often it is called into question).
2007-09-25 02:56:28 · answer #3 · answered by Chipmaker Authentic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are umpire schools. When you graduate, you begin in Class A ball, and work your way up to the majors.
2007-09-25 02:55:06 · answer #4 · answered by WC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you have to have really bad eye site.
I think they have a union or something were you can sign up, our you might be able to enquire through the MLB, maybe look in careers on MLB.com. I'm sure there is alot of training and stuff like that.
2007-09-25 02:55:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to www.mlb.com and search umpire schools. Next go blind.
2007-09-25 03:31:39 · answer #6 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Allot of people know that you have to gain weight and go blind but what about the inner quality of arrogance. Smugness and no idea fair play can also be a great help.
2007-09-25 04:55:12 · answer #7 · answered by RWB4646 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MLB's step-by-step guide is at the attached link.
2007-09-25 04:29:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gain 200 pounds and have destructive eye surgery.
2007-09-25 02:54:34 · answer #9 · answered by suspendedagain300 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
start with high school games and work your way up.
it's a long hard road.
2007-09-25 07:50:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋