CDP - Is it REALLY worth going????

[KLAH316]

Ok all,

Honestly I have never had much of a thought of going to CDP until my friend asked me to go with his team the first week (I think? 1st week of June)

What I want to know is: Is it really worth it other than the Umpire Comradeship that I know will be there.

I've talked to guys here where I live that treat it like a business and get teams to pay them ALOT of money plus expenses.....

I have read all the forums about CDP but still can't grasp if it's worth the time away from work and my family.....

[gnhbua93]

Would be worth for $700-$1050 for the week.  Anything less than that, is not a good business decision.

[grayhawk]

Hard question to answer because what's worth it to one person isn't to another.  It really depends on you, but I will list the +/- as I see them.

 

(+)

You'll get 10 or so games in 4 days

It's a great baseball atmosphere - 22 fields, hundreds of games

Can work 2, 3, 4 man if you want to

Parents and coaches have to behave, for the most part

Lot's of potential umpire comradeship

Pin trading (if you're into it)

They do your laundry

Kids are having the time of their lives

Get to go to the Hall of Fame

Cooperstown is almost caught in a time warp - old time feel

Playoff games can have some good intensity

You can make some great friendships - lots of good guys there

Great week if you have a good crew

 

(-)

Opening/closing ceremonies - boring

Skills competitions on Saturday - long and boring

Accommodations - not horrible, but it's a bunk bed and lot's of potential snoring

Food - it's basically camp food

Weather - can get really hot and muggy.  Rain can be an issue

Politics - though not a problem if you just avoid it

Some idiots can be there, but wasn't a problem when I was there

Could be a long week if your crew isn't good

 

I'm really glad I went.  It was a very positive experience for me, though my son was playing there too, which made it a very special week for the two of us.  Would I go back?  Someday maybe, but not until my kids are on their own and even then, probably not unless my wife wants to come.  Hope this helps.

[JaxRolo]

It is what you make it. Don't get involved in the drama or the politics. Sent Via Telekinesis

[mjr_2013]

Rolando nailed it on the head with his point: it is what you make it.

 

Don't expect 5-star accommodations or to have the same experience you do with a vacation to Hawaii, but if you go to have fun, meet cool people, and umpire good baseball, you will succeed. I really enjoyed it.

[mjr_2013]

Would be worth for $700-$1050 for the week.  Anything less than that, is not a good business decision.

 

Why do you say that?

[scrounge]

What kind of politics are there? Just who gets the championship game? Seems kind of petty for some to get all wrapped up on that, like anyone will care after the week is over, but there are some pretty petty people out there.

[yawetag]

 

Would be worth for $700-$1050 for the week.  Anything less than that, is not a good business decision.

 

Why do you say that?

 

 

I believe once you factor in your travel costs to get there and what you would consider a fair wage for officiating a game, anything less than that number isn't a wise business decision. However, if you enjoy the intrinsic qualities of umpiring, it might take less money for you to be interested.

 

When I tried going two years ago (maybe three now), none of the teams that emailed me wanted to give me much above travel costs. They wouldn't even discuss additional transportation costs to get from the airport to CDP, nor would they add anything extra to pay for my actual time. I figured it wasn't worth taking the trip when I would ultimately lose money in the end.

 

I think the best way to make a solid profit is to go for multiple weeks. Each team will pay you for their week, so if you can get all of them to agree on a number close to your total travel costs, then the second week (and beyond) would be profit. Unfortunately, I couldn't take that much time off from work.

[JaxRolo]

Many guys go there for the whole summer.

 

13 weeks of close to $1000 is pretty good money.

 

If my math is correct that is $13,000

[BT_Blue]

Many guys go there for the whole summer.

 

13 weeks of close to $1000 is pretty good money.

 

If my math is correct that is $13,000

I think your pain meds are finally giving you some clarity. It's kind of freaking us all out!

[mjr_2013]

 

 

Would be worth for $700-$1050 for the week.  Anything less than that, is not a good business decision.

 

Why do you say that?

 

 

I believe once you factor in your travel costs to get there and what you would consider a fair wage for officiating a game, anything less than that number isn't a wise business decision. However, if you enjoy the intrinsic qualities of umpiring, it might take less money for you to be interested.

 

When I tried going two years ago (maybe three now), none of the teams that emailed me wanted to give me much above travel costs. They wouldn't even discuss additional transportation costs to get from the airport to CDP, nor would they add anything extra to pay for my actual time. I figured it wasn't worth taking the trip when I would ultimately lose money in the end.

 

I think the best way to make a solid profit is to go for multiple weeks. Each team will pay you for their week, so if you can get all of them to agree on a number close to your total travel costs, then the second week (and beyond) would be profit. Unfortunately, I couldn't take that much time off from work.

 

 

I suppose this can be the case if someone in a full time position does not get paid vacation.

 

Last year I received $600 for the week. It cost me about $250 to drive round trip with meals. I had a part time job which my week off was without pay. I received about $200/week while working there. I wouldn't have been umpiring had I not been there. All that in mind, $600 was plenty.

 

For one who makes more than my $200/week normally (i.e everyone, my job was minimum wage) or would have been umpiring games regularly anyway, I can see needing more. 

[mstaylor]

I am getting driven up,expenses covered, excellent baseball, lots of games, meet some new umpires, sounds like a good week.

[alan2703]

As stated it is what you make of it, I have had a great time the last 2 years and am going back week 9 of this year. A buddy of mine I made up there is going as well as some others. I will say that the opening and skills comp from an umpire point of view is boring as all get out, brought my ipod with me and satnding in a group no one could see it.

[BigUmpire]

Are we still trying to have a UE week?

[mstaylor]

I will be there the week of Aug 9. mjr_2013 and I will both be there, hopefully others can make it as well.

[Umpire in Chief]

CDP has never appealed to me. To take off a week of work to umpire there is not something I can see myself doing. 

 

I would prefer to go to a week long camp. Sure I'm paying vs being paid, but I feel like I would get more out of it and still get the camaraderie.

 

Maybe one day I'll do it, but it's not very high on my list.

[JaxRolo]

CDP has never appealed to me. To take off a week of work to umpire there is not something I can see myself doing. 

 

I would prefer to go to a week long camp. Sure I'm paying vs being paid, but I feel like I would get more out of it and still get the camaraderie.

 

Maybe one day I'll do it, but it's not very high on my list.

 

We don't want you there anyway!!!

[BigUmpire]

Wow- the Navy guys are BRUTAL today!

Must be " screw-you" Friday!

Love it!

[mrumpiresir]

I went to CDP three years ago.  I wanted the experience

 

I'm retired military and don't regularly work otherwise but usually umpire four or five games a week during the summer.  I've been umpiring 23 years and work mostly High School and Legion ball which is big here.  I drove the fours from home to Cooperstown so only asked for $300 from the team which they happily paid.  

 

Eating in the big tent was ok for me.  Since I had my car, a group of us went downtown a few times, did some sightseeing and ate some good Pizza and Burgers.  I met a couple of fellow umps who were in an association I used to belong to.  We have kept in touch since.

 

On the "not so plus" side it was very hot the week I was there and with no air conditioning, sleep was difficult.  There were some very good umpires, Mostly HS but D1 umpires as well. There were some horrible umpires as well.  Guys who were obviously inexperienced with mechanics.

 

I don't get into politics, which existed, so this won't affect me.

 

For me, it was a good experience, I'm glad I went, but I won't go back.

[johnnyg08]

I'm w/ Warren.

Right now I have zero desire for something like this. I'd rather attend a 1 week camp.

I reserve the right to change my mind. I can promise you it's at least 10 years out before I'd ever consider it.

To those who go. Have fun.

[mrumpiresir]

As others have said, it is what you make of it.  Young guys coming up in their umpiring careers may want to go for the experience and possibly learn some things.  An older guy such as myself  may want to do it because after hearing so much about CDP, and I lived close, and I'm retired, it seemed like a good way to kill a week.

[mstaylor]

How about killing the week of Aug nine, bring the U-E to at least three.

[Scratch Franzeo]

I'll be there weeks 6 and 7. Would love to meet any of you that happen to be there at that time.