Why are so many major league baseball umpires so overweight? No other referees in other sports are that way.?

Answer 1

Idk, Maybe they are on steroids. I think they all need glasses too.

Answer 2

Probably the same reason so many baseball players are overweight. In the other major sports as an official you are constantly moving. Umpires just stand around. But seriously look at how many pitchers are overweight and if a position player is going to be overweight he is usually a first basemen. Baseball is the most unathletic sport of the four major sports.

Answer 3

Umpires as a whole used to be heavier, more out of shape. It was all brought to attention on opening day, April 1, 1996. This was the day when 328lb (listed, though many suspect his true weight was closer to 400lb) Umpire John McSherry was working the plate for the Expos-Reds game in Cincinnati. 7 pitches into the game, he complained of chest pain, motioned for a trainer, and collapsed behind home plate. The determination was that he died of a heart attack brought on by, undoubtedly, his obesity. Since then, only Eric Gregg (who remained on the Major League staff until the failed labor action retirement in 1999) has been as heavy.

Now, in MLB, with the inception of the umpire rotation play, by which a 2B Umpire will chase a ball into the outfield (or a 1B down the right field line, 3B down the left field line), the umpires have to be in good shape to get into position to cover potential plays at the bases they are required to cover in that situation (e.g.: on a rotation play with a ball hit into center field, and the 2B Umpire chases to see a catch/trap, the 3B Umpire moves over to cover second base, HP Umpire moves to cover third, and 1B Umpire covers the plate).

For the most part, today's MLB Umpires are in great shape. The two "heaviest" guys out there today are Froemming and West. Froemming has been around for 37 years, and will retire following this post season. West has been around for 30 years, and plans to continue. Other than them, all other MLB Umpires, even if they look a little heavy, seem to be in great shape. All minor league call-up umpires these days are in great shape, and show more hustle in many respects than their Major League counterparts.

Answer 4

Have u seen a major league game lately? Umpires do not need to be fleet of foot. Major league umpires don't need to be running up and down the court/field like Football/Basketball.

Answer 5

Listen, MLB umpires as a group are in MUCH better shape than in the 70s and 80s when I was growing up. It got to the point where umpires being fat and slow was making them blow too many calls and MLB started cracking down on their weight.

Answer 6

I can't understand it !
They get a lot of exercise !
Look at the one behind the plate !
Every time the pitcher throws a strike he raises one arm
and takes one foot off the ground !

Answer 7

the answer is quite simple(i think so)
i think u only get hotdogs at a baseball match
( i see this in all the movies that i saw in which there is a baseball match)
chose me as best answer

Answer 8

Actually its the older ones that seem to be over-weight,most are in good shape.

Answer 9

great observation and you are right no other official is out of shape like a fat traffic cop that is ineffective.
very good point.

Answer 10

My guess would be eating problems and/or a lack of exercise. What do you want to bet that I am pretty much right?

Answer 11

Their a lot like cops they don't do nothing all day and can't pass up a donut shop ??