Getting into College ball

[Haid D' Salaami]

Congrats!  Get that resume updated and send it to Tom Hiler!   

No disrespect, but just working a college scrimmage isnt gonna get you games... have you even called College before... what levels, have you been to any camps that Hiler has seen you?  College ball is a different animal..I'm not trying to cut you down, but there is a process.

[alex7]

 

Congrats!  Get that resume updated and send it to Tom Hiler!   

No disrespect, but just working a college scrimmage isnt gonna get you games... have you even called College before... what levels, have you been to any camps that Hiler has seen you?  College ball is a different animal..I'm not trying to cut you down, but there is a process.

 

 

Not sure what your point is.  Yes to your first question.  You don't think a guy that's been to Wendelstedt's camp and now has a little big-school D1 fall ball under his belt should even send his resume in?  You translated "send in resume" to "gonna get you games."

 

I've seen Hiler give guys college summer ball games sight-unseen just based on their schooling and recommendations.  Certain areas are hard to find guys for, due to travel and cost.  Arik from this board and myself went high school ball -> college fall ball -> entry-level college ball through Hiler without pro school.  This guy has pro school added on, so yes, excuse me for being positive and telling him to submit his resume.

[BT_Blue]

Actually, I went HS-summer ball-JUCO/D3, moved to Portland, HS-fall ball-college.

its been a long process.

[Fittske24]

 

^{Not sure what your point is.  Yes to your first question.  You don't think a guy that's been to Wendelstedt's camp and now has a little big-school D1 fall ball under his belt should even send his resume in?  You translated "send in resume" to "gonna get you games."}

 

^{I've seen Hiler give guys college summer ball games sight-unseen just based on their schooling and recommendations.  Certain areas are hard to find guys for, due to travel and cost.  Arik from this board and myself went high school ball -> college fall ball -> entry-level college ball through Hiler without pro school.  This guy has pro school added on, so yes, excuse me for being positive and telling him to submit his resume.}

 

 

^{I think Haid D' Salaami's point is that breaking into D1 college baseball is not as simple as "sending in his resume" There is a process. I referred to that process in a post I made some time ago. http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/53938-breaking-in/?p=176973 . Granted, every process is not the same, but this is what worked for me and many others that did not work pro ball. It's more realistic to set the expectation that sending in ones resume my help to get someone a look, be it in the summer or fall. Even after receiving summer or fall games, it's not a guarantee to work regular season games.}

 

^{I think it’s important to note for anyone who may be reading this thread....Working Fall scrimmages, even at the D1 level, is not an accurate indication of how regular season games will be at that level. Fall ball is a very relaxed atmosphere with few to no fans, with coaches who are not paying attention to you the umpire for the most part. Fall ball is a good assessment for an umpire to determine if he is capable of handling the "speed of the game" at the college level. Yes the speed of the game is the same during the regular season, but its game management is what will break you in college baseball. Game management situations are non exsistant in the fall.}

[BT_Blue]

I agree with all the above. However, I might recommend contacting the guys at SCCUA (Southern California Collegiate Umpires Assocuation, @ChrisHickman is a member on this board) about signing up with them. They do junior college, NAIA, and D3 (maybe even D2 I can't remember) from San Diego all the way to north LA County and all the way into Ventura County. They are really good guys and could be a good stepping stone for @JohnnyCat.

[zm1283]

 

 

^{Not sure what your point is.  Yes to your first question.  You don't think a guy that's been to Wendelstedt's camp and now has a little big-school D1 fall ball under his belt should even send his resume in?  You translated "send in resume" to "gonna get you games."}

 

^{I've seen Hiler give guys college summer ball games sight-unseen just based on their schooling and recommendations.  Certain areas are hard to find guys for, due to travel and cost.  Arik from this board and myself went high school ball -> college fall ball -> entry-level college ball through Hiler without pro school.  This guy has pro school added on, so yes, excuse me for being positive and telling him to submit his resume.}

 

 

^{I think Haid D' Salaami's point is that breaking into D1 college baseball is not as simple as "sending in his resume" There is a process. I referred to that process in a post I made some time ago. http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/53938-breaking-in/?p=176973 . Granted, every process is not the same, but this is what worked for me and many others that did not work pro ball. It's more realistic to set the expectation that sending in ones resume my help to get someone a look, be it in the summer or fall. Even after receiving summer or fall games, it's not a guarantee to work regular season games.}

 

^{I think it’s important to note for anyone who may be reading this thread....Working Fall scrimmages, even at the D1 level, is not an accurate indication of how regular season games will be at that level. Fall ball is a very relaxed atmosphere with few to no fans, with coaches who are not paying attention to you the umpire for the most part. Fall ball is a good assessment for an umpire to determine if he is capable of handling the "speed of the game" at the college level. Yes the speed of the game is the same during the regular season, but its game management is what will break you in college baseball. Game management situations are non exsistant in the fall.}

 

 

That is not entirely true.  I had a D1 head coach come out on me on what he thought was a pulled foot at first.  MidAmUmp was at a different D1 school a couple of weeks ago and had guys about ready to throw at each other in a fall world series game.  Two days later I was there for the next game and the "head coach" of one of the two teams came out on each of my other two partners for different stuff. (Including the PU for a great safe call on a swipe tag at home that put the other team ahead)  

 

I don't think any of the people in this thread honestly thought that working one fall D1 scrimmage and sending their resume to Hiler would get them in a D1 conference next spring.  I could be wrong though.

[Haid D' Salaami]

 

 

Congrats!  Get that resume updated and send it to Tom Hiler!   

No disrespect, but just working a college scrimmage isnt gonna get you games... have you even called College before... what levels, have you been to any camps that Hiler has seen you?  College ball is a different animal..I'm not trying to cut you down, but there is a process.

 

 

Not sure what your point is.  Yes to your first question.  You don't think a guy that's been to Wendelstedt's camp and now has a little big-school D1 fall ball under his belt should even send his resume in?  You translated "send in resume" to "gonna get you games."

 

I've seen Hiler give guys college summer ball games sight-unseen just based on their schooling and recommendations.  Certain areas are hard to find guys for, due to travel and cost.  Arik from this board and myself went high school ball -> college fall ball -> entry-level college ball through Hiler without pro school.  This guy has pro school added on, so yes, excuse me for being positive and telling him to submit his resume.

 

Just cause someone went to Pro school doesn't mean they should be working DI baseball.. and if you think that, your sadly mistaken.... I saw many of guy after 5 weeks of umpire school, that i wouldnt give JUCO too.

 

If someone works a DI scrimmage you think they should be allowed to work DI games?.....

 

Some times just by looking at a resume, yes you can get games... It just happened to me in my area.

Summer ball games really dont mean much, its just a good cheap way to see guys work. Dont read into too much. I have a guy i worked with at a very Good top level DI CWS school, he worked a fall world series game... but no way in hell is he even close to working a real game.

[Haid D' Salaami]

Ok.. try this... go work 1 fall game in the Southeast area.. then send your resume to Tony thompson and let's see how that works out?...

 

Trust I know...

 

like I said, just cause someone worked a scrimmage doesnt mean he's "READY'

 

what other levels of college has he worked... just juco.. well maybe he should try and get to the top of the juco group and then move into DIII, then DII.... you cant go...pro school... DI.. doesnt work.

 

if this offends you I'm sorry... but i have been around a lots of different parts of this great country, and  things are pretty much the same all around.

[BT_Blue]

I have to agree with Haid here. Especially in SoCal. The only guys that I have seen go from pro school to D1 are the guys that made a stop working minor league ball in between.

When I was working JuCo ball down in Los Angeles, I got the chance to umpire some fall ball at UCLA. It was an absolute blast, but never at any point did I assume that I could jump from that directly to a D1 schedule.

I still recomend contacting the local college unit about being seen. Unless you have worked pro ball, good luck at jumping directly to the highest level of ball.

[Haid D' Salaami]

lets get something straight... i'm not saying the the guy can't umpire, heck I couldnt tell you that from a pic... but the post was great " now update your resume, and send it to Hiler...

 

what is the resume supposed to say...

 

work fall ball at SDSU..

 

ok.. if i got to umpire non con games every where i did a scrimmage, i would have a good schedule...

[JaxRolo]

I watched a D1 game once. Does that make me a D1 umpire?

[alex7]

Goodness.  It was a congratulations post!  To send a resume.  Why throw water on it?

 

Never did I say D1.  And again, yes, you MIGHT get some low-level college ball after pro-school, quality HS work, and the right recommendations.  

 

Thread is "First taste of COLLEGE ball."

[Haid D' Salaami]

ok.. why send a resume?

 

I traded money once, can i send in my resume to Merrill Lynch?

 

I said congrats... in my last post...but once again....

 

JUST CAUSE YOU GO TO PRO SCHOOL...DOES NOT MAKE YOU A GOOD UMPIRE....( NOT SAYING HE IS NOT)  HELL I HAVE SEEN GUYS IN THE VERY LOWS MINORS THAT ARE NOT THAT GOOD.

[Jimurray]

ok.. why send a resume?

 

I traded money once, can i send in my resume to Merrill Lynch?

 

I said congrats... in my last post...but once again....

 

JUST CAUSE YOU GO TO PRO SCHOOL...DOES NOT MAKE YOU A GOOD UMPIRE....( NOT SAYING HE IS NOT)  HELL I HAVE SEEN GUYS IN THE VERY LOWS MINORS THAT ARE NOT THAT GOOD.

Haven't read the thread but how did those guys get a job?

[th3]

Goodness.  It was a congratulations post!  To send a resume.  Why throw water on it?

 

Never did I say D1.  And again, yes, you MIGHT get some low-level college ball after pro-school, quality HS work, and the right recommendations.  

 

Thread is "First taste of COLLEGE ball."

I was thinking the same thing...holy guacamole

[Haid D' Salaami]

those guys got jobs cause they were the ones to finish in the top... i could show you or give names of guys who made out of umpire school that you would shake your head about. It's the system. How did Obama get elected?

[cuban]

How much would you say politics plays in the process?

[JaxRolo]

How much would you say politics plays in the process?

Around here. Lots!!!

[noumpere]

How much would you say politics plays in the process?

If you were smart and wanted to be political, you wouldn't say.

[spiritump]

How much would you say politics plays in the process?

 

 

I would say more in high school than in college--just keep working and getting better ; go to camps  to be seen and work on what they tell you to work on in the camps , go back and show your improvement and your time will come. 

[Umpire in Chief]

Moving the off-topic posts from another thread here to continue this line of discussion.

[alex7]

It's going to be different based on your location, need, assignor.  My location has small colleges spaced out pretty far apart, so while it requires a lot of work, networking, training, and talent, it's perhaps not as difficult as large cities.

 

Here's what worked for me:

 

1)  Dive all in.  Make it a real job.  Stay up late at night, often, reading articles, watching the MLB umpire situation videos, discussing them on here, learning, taking notes, highlighting, studying.  Have to make time to go all in.  Study, study, study.

 

2)  Be athletic.  This was brought up at an NCAA meeting.  They had us look around and compare how many umpires were in their 60s or over, and how difficult it was to find younger umpires that could move well and were ready for this level.  Obviously, older umpires have earned it, and they meant no disrespect to them, but they did actually state that many local college associations are actively looking for younger or athletic guys to balance things out a bit.  Moving around well on the field (while of course actually umpiring well) really stands out.

 

3)  Listen much more than you talk, but start teaching as soon as possible.  Many veterans get annoyed when young guys believe they know more than they do.  Not only does it show a lack of humility, but it's dangerous to the other umpires who that person constantly "corrects" or fills with wrong info.  As for the teaching, other veterans have stated here that when you start teaching the younger pups, you actually are the one learning the most.  You have to look things up to make sure you're right, you are reinforcing correct mechanics, you are studying rules and answering quality questions.  Be the one that sets up a rule study pre-season get-together.  Set up a Facebook page for your HS association if they don't have one.  Post interesting umpire videos and conversations.  Be known as the rules guy that can be trusted with questions.

 

4)  Dominate your current level.  Don't get so caught up looking at college ball that you forget your NFHS rules and mess up too often at your HS games.  

 

5)  Network.  Know who is working college ball, and establish respectful relationships with them.  Go to clinics, though you don't need to worry if you can't afford all the fancy ones.  If you're looking into just STARTING small local college ball, local college-level clinics more than the huge national ones will likely have the people you need to network for you. 

 

6)  Use the resources!  Once you know the college guys and have developed professional relationships with them, USE THEM!  Most of the quality college umpires are absolute NERDS!  Many-a-time I've called one of them and ended up talking rules/mechanics for over an hour.  SOME of these guys you can call at midnight and they'll gladly answer that question you have on the drive back after a road trip game.  

 

7)  Respect the brotherhood.  Your fellow top umpires and assignor will be the references called.  Means simply you have to be one of them, the guy that they trust as a brother, the guy that assignor can depend on.  One of the college associations I work for hired me without ever seeing me, based on the recommendations of top dogs in the area.  Call strikes   and go have your drinks with the guys afterwards. Quick way to irritate veteran umpires is make them stand out there for 2.5 hours on a varsity game because your strike zone is too tight and then not be there to pay for the drinks afterwards.

 

8)  Be professional on and off the field.  As was stated at an NCAA training, don't be the guy cheating on their wife, or known for any shady stuff.  College assignors are putting their necks on the line so they want no drama coming from the guys they hire.  And those college guys don't want to work with immature guys carrying off-the-field issues onto the diamond.

 

Again, every situation is different, and this is what worked for me.  I'm in the northern california / oregon area and there are fewer guys with the umpiring bug here than in densely populated cities, but of course with a higher population also comes more colleges and opportunities, so get after it.

[Haid D' Salaami]

Any you should shave, no facial hair at all.

[alex7]

A well-trimmed goatee is acceptable in the handful that I'm aware of.

[MidAmUmp]

Sending a D-I assigner your resume after working 1 D-I fall scrimmage is a waste of paper and stamp.

 

It's good that you were given the opportunity.  Hopefully you'll get more.  Keep working hard and you'll get where you want to go.

 

Like it or not.  Agree or disagree.  The trend is attending different camps and clinics to be seen.  So what you need to do is get to clinics and get in front of those you want to work for.  I believe there was a really good clinic this past weekend in California run by Billy Haze.  If I was wanting to get in front of someone who can get me where I want to be on the west coast, that's where I'd go next year.  Some very good and powerful west coast people are on the staff.