Intro

[Jeapugrad]

Hello, my name is Joe and I live in Central Maryland. I started umpiring when I was 13 with my local Little League. When I was 15, I was certified by the my county and began working rec games. In August of 1996, I was selected to work the first ever Tournament at Cooperstown Dream Park. Started doing JV at 17 while a senior in high school. In January 1999, I attended Jim Evan's five week class. While I was not offered a job, a number of opportunities opened up and I was hired by the Colonial Athletic Association in the fall of 1999 at 19 years of age. I stayed with CAA until I was 23, started to lose interest in umpiring, the game, all of the BS politics associated with umpiring. In 2005, at 25 years of age, I walked away from the game all together. I stayed out of the game until 2009 when I had been laid off and umpiring was a source of income. I no longer have professional or collegiate aspirations. I really enjoy working high level 8U, 10U, and 12U, levels most umpires look down on. I enjoy being able to teach coaches and fans the finer points of the rules and try to educate people to prepare them for the game on the 90' base path. In 2012, I worked over 200 ball games between March to October having the entire month of August off. I recently completed a B.A. Program and found full time employment and I'm hoping to work less than 25 games in 2013.

[Mike Prince]

Welcome!  Enjoy the site, hopefully your training and experience will help others here (and vice-versa)

[Jeapugrad]

Thank you

[Jocko]

Glad to welcome you back to the brotherhood. The 'business' of baseball is a complete farce. I hate the politics, the and the one-upmanship. I prefer to just Umpire. Leave the BS for the BSers. Sounds like we have some of the same views in that regard. That being said, I still love the game. Welcome to the site.

[Jeapugrad]

My single biggest chip on my shoulder since coming back is the 'leadership' tells me I'm not up to their level, yet none of them have worked any college baseball. Many teams request me through my Scheduler to work their games and I view that as I'm well liked by our customers. But the powers that be always pass me over for the big games. While it sounds like an ego thing, some of these clowns couldn't hold my jockstrap when it comes to the levels that I worked.

[mstaylor]

Welcome to the site. I am on the Eastern Shore. PM me if you get down this way. 

[Umpire in Chief]

Welcome. I formerly lived in Columbia Md. for a while. I've heard about the politics in the CAA. 

[yawetag]

My single biggest chip on my shoulder since coming back is the 'leadership' tells me I'm not up to their level, yet none of them have worked any college baseball. Many teams request me through my Scheduler to work their games and I view that as I'm well liked by our customers. But the powers that be always pass me over for the big games. While it sounds like an ego thing, some of these clowns couldn't hold my jockstrap when it comes to the levels that I worked.

 

As others have said, you have to build your reputation in a new place. Even with a strong resume, it doesn't mean you're still good (the whole "20 years of experience or 20 years of 1-year experience" quote that, I believe, Evans uses); give them a chance to evaluate you and move up.

[Jeapugrad]

I'm in the same place. Different leadership.

[mstaylor]

A difference without a distinction. 

[jmpnjmy]

Welcome