Being under 18 sucks...

[mjr_2013]

Still in search of a youth summer league with professionalism that will take on a 17 year old. You would think that 4 years of expirience would mean more than a few months of age, but apparently not.

It is so frusturating. One Bloomfield, MI League told me registration was closed and that they only take 18+ year olds. Virtual Baseball said they were not hiring at all. My current Waterford, MI League has said they will only take 18+ year olds due to new little league bylaws (I'm still hoping to get a grandfather clause for that though)...

It seems my only summer option remaining is the crappiest league I've ever seen when it comes to umpires... They pay them less than half of what I'm currently being paid, they have no dress code, they have no standards. Don't believe me? Take a look for yourselves. These are edited only in blurring/removing faces.

If this is how they present themselves, how do you expect them to umpire?

I. DON'T. WANT. TO. WORK. THAT. LEAGUE.

[johnnyg08]

Sorry man. My advice would be to show up there in your uniform and work like a professional. Do what you can do because you don't have control over the other stuff. You have a long, long career ahead of you. Don't burn any bridges at 17 yrs old. You never know when you'll need any of those folks again.

Hang in there.

[SanDiegoSteve]

+1. Show them what an umpire is supposed to look and work like and maybe it will inspire some of them.

[sdix00]

Sounds like you may not have a good contact in those other leagues, or that they just don't know you. Make an effort to make those contacts. Not much will happen until someone with some clout is willing to vouch for you.

Semper and I have worked pretty hard for a couple years to get a few JR umpires on the filed. If we didn't believe in the program, it probably would never happen.

[Umpy]

Is that PU not wearing shin guards??

[bpate]

Is that PU not wearing shin guards??

Yes. The philosophy is to run like heck on a pitch in the dirt.!!!

[Stan W.]

We had a young man in your same situation, and sorry to say there usually isnt anything that can be done......except what advice you were given above... dress the professional umpire, act the professional umpire.....do your games, get certified......we were able to get our State organization to allow the 17 yr old to take the state exam, but withold his patch until his 18th birthday......

and then move on...........best of luck

[Welpe]

I was in your shoes not all that long ago. Johnny is right, you have a long career ahead of you. Control what you can and don't let the rest tear you up or it will. This is true for life in general.

I know umpiring is important to you (I think it's safe to say it is to all of us here) but take this as a chance to spend more time enjoying being a teenager. Trust me, as we get older, the time we have to ourselves diminishes and our responsibilities grow.

That said, you can consider it a challenge to take games in that one league and try to show them a better way. Dress the part, carry yourself well and be a good representative for all of the umpires trying to do it right. Besides, the quality of play may not be the best, but it's still baseball right?

I'm not trying to be dismissive of your plight because it is well understood, I'm just trying to offer some food for thought.

[Tyennie]

All great advice from our learned colleagues. Here is one more to consider - As you work these games and the league administrators (aka 'the board') see what you are about, there is an off chance you could become their UIC and then the umpire development aspect can be yours for the creating. You then become the master and commander of your own destiny in this regard. If you are so inclined. I could foresee a great deal of benefit from this scenario - 1. You develop/train umpires that will have your same exacting standards of professionalism 2. the other leagues in the area will see that "hey this young person does know WTH is going on, we should hire him to do our games" 3. (for lack of a better phrase) This "bad news bears" league will become the new poster child for umpire development in your area. Things could escalate from there.

[scrounge]

My son is 17 and just got his certification as well. In Ohio, a 17 yr old can do games at the middle school and freshman level, no JV or varsity. Summer and non-school games are unrestricted, just depends on the organization.

He's done mostly middle school but plans on doing some rec league and maybe some travel youth ball, on a fill-in basis till he develops the relationships. But yesterday he did an adult league doubleheader, which went great. I was a bit surprised he got thrown into that, but no way better to learn.

I'd suggest a mix of patience and networking. Patience to realize that it might just not happen all at once your first year, networking to see how much can happen. Try to develop relationships with other, older certified umpires who are in the games you want. See if they also work in some of the leagues you can get into. If they see you work, they may open doors in the other leagues that you are finding the front door closed. Stand out in what you can get into. Just work games, you never know who else is working - or watching. Check out other youth travel leagues - see if anyone needs a substitute. Being avail as a last-minute fill-in might endear you to an assignor.

[semper_fi_72]

mjr_2013

Keep working on what your doing.

Your time will come.

Beside Little League there isn't much around here for Umpires under 18 to work and LL does not play in the Summer.

It is tough to bust into some Associations even as an experienced Adult.

As SDix00 said we worked pretty hard to train a few JR Umpires over the last few years.

I am very proud of them and know they will also move up and on as the mature.

Have a JR Game tonight with one of them on the bases and am very happy to have him.

I had a partner I never worked with on Saturday who was very luke warm and that is being generous.

Talk to your local HS teams and see if they have any summer games or scrimmages you can work, even if you do them as a volunteer to get exposure.

Keep beating on that door.

The door into the Pros is not the only narrowest door in Umpiring.

[mjr_2013]

Thanks for the tips! In particular, sdix... His comment lead me to email my former UIC, who has 20+ years of expirience and became a partner of mine I loved to work with in the time we worked together.

I explained my situation to him, and he responded early this morning, telling me that he is sorry to hear that my league isn't using me this summer, and that he knows a few people he can call to see if he can get me some games.

I don't want to get my hopes up that much in case it doesn't pan out, but it's a possibility!

And I like the idea Tyennie! It's something I would definitely consider if given the opportunity. I grew up in this league, from a 9 year old Mustang player to a 16 year old Colt...

Again, thanks to all!

[UmpJM]

mjr,

Hate to be the one to break it to you, but being OVER 18 sucks as well.

Just in a different way.

It's not until you're over 50 that everything is just totally awesome.

JM