Older person looking into umpiring

[mstaylor]

I felt he went from answering the question, maybe on the rough side, to a rant on the conditions of MiLB that he didn't experience. In other words, I think he left the subject for a sour grapes rant. If I tried to take portions out it then got weird and disjointed. Hopefully he can repost it in a more orderly fashion. Much of what he said, again abrupt, was point on. 

[JaxRolo]

What happened to metalheadumpire's post? It was edgy, but I really didn't think he crossed the line.

I agree it was a good post!

[metalheadumpire]

Strange!  I guess the NSA decided to pull out the censor card and delete my previous post.  I hope I didn't come across as being negative or sour to my experience with umpire school.  I loved every minute of it and I would do it again.  I highly recommend anyone, regardless of their goals or ambitions, to attend umpire school.  It is an experience not many people can afford and those of us that have are extremely lucky!  I wanted to be straight and blunt so that older guys know what they are truly up against going into it.  That isn't the kind of information that the schools are going to give you.  Like I said before, it is against the law to discriminate based on age.  If you call one of the two schools and tell them you are 40 years old and ask them if you have a shot at a pro spot and they tell you no, you are too old, that is a lawsuit waiting to happen.  They are going to tell you the same thing they tell the other 200 or so people that call them every year, yes you have a shot, knowing full well that you don't.  If you go into it with the right goals and realistic expectations it will be very rewarding for you and you will gain the skills and knowledge to make umpiring a lifelong avocation.  It wouldn't be right for them to give me a spot at age 40 when they can give that spot to a 20 year old who can put in 10-15 years of minor league experience and possibly get to the majors at age 35 to 40.  Again, if you know what you are up against going into it you won't have any surprises in the end.  One thing I would recommend is go into it with the mindset that you are competing for a spot.  That will make you work harder and study more.  The instructors will respect a person, regardless of their age, that hustles and works hard and isn't there for a vacation.  I saw so many kids that were there on Mom and Dad's dime that never studied, never hustled, and were down right lazy!  Stand out and be a leader and an example to the younger generations that are there.  Show them the things that you have learned in your life...hard work, dedication, and perseverance.  Nothing comes easy in life.  You will have many friends come your way.  I hope this helps.

[jadarite]

I understand I am talking to umpires.  When I ask for advice it's like asking for "too many cooks in the kitchen".  I am a Detroiter, and even though I place my bets that the Red Sox will beat Detroit and go on to play the St. Louis Cardinals, I have been listening to the Verlander interviews.

 

This man is true to baseball.  The last time I considered baseball was when I was watching Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  I feel the baseball world should not accept someone like me to just waltz in and decide the actions.  I am older for a reason, not wiser.  I am not as true to baseball as a 20 year old.

 

I really like baseball, but in the end my goals are not other people's goals.  Do I spend the money for Umpire School in January to referee in MiLB later?  Someone said the scouts would only want someone to be in the MLB later.  So at 50, what chance do I have?  However, maybe I just go to Umpire School, and then return to my other life.  Then, someday they want an umpire?

 

It's a question the Beatles had to deal with before breaking up with John and Yoko.

[ricka56]

 I am not as true to baseball as a 20 year old.

 

Reread MetalHead's previous serious/consciensious post. If you work hard, you'll be respected. If you aren't "true to the game", you won't be respected/probably disrespected.

 

maybe I just go to Umpire School, and then return to my other life.  Then, someday they want an umpire?

 

Not a chance...not even in anyone's unconventional state of reality.

 

It's a question the Beatles had to deal with before breaking up with John and Yoko.

 

Me think someone is trying to yank chains...very amusing...don't ever change.

 

Perhaps he tired of using drunk dial congress dot org   what would Jimmy Buffett say

[jadarite]

St. Louis and Boston, just as I predicted

 

I have used the moniker "jadarite" for some time, before it was just "www dot com".  I will resurface with another name.  Thanks for the comments.

[ricka56]

May I suggest next time, you use your real name...Billy No-Mates.  I can imagine it.