JONATHAN D.
CHAPMAN

verybody knows
R=: the men in blue, They're those are the

people on a baseball field that you learn to
love, or that youfearn to love to hate. When the
call goes your way—you cheer; when it doesn't—
you boo and hiss. But the men in blue are the
umpires and their decision stands. Their decisions
can either make or break a ball game depending on
the call. The question now, is how does one become
a professional umpire?

The Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation
(PBUC) puts umpires through extensive training,
and are responsible for field evaluations, which can
result in promotions, retentions, and releases for
active umpires. The PBUC writes evaluations for
each umpire at the all-star break (mid-season) and
at the completion of a season. These evaluations are
generally used to decide what is going to happen to
the umpire in the following season.

At the beginning of each year, rookies go to an
evaluation camp and fight for positions in the
Rookie leagues and the Short A leagues, the lowest
leagues in professional baseball. Young players fresh
out of high school and college usually start their
professional careers in these leagues. So, just like the
players, the umpires have a starting ground. Minor
league umpires are fighting for just as much as the
minor league players. The umpires are also looking
for a spot in the major leagues. They have to go out
and get the job done in each and every game under
the watchful eye of the PBUC. :

An umpire needs to have quick thinking, com-
mon sense, and plenty of confidence: see it, assess
it, and make the call. This is what the umpire must
do on each and every play. They must be decisive,

  

 
    
   
   
     
   

because a play can
happen in the blink of

pe anreye, &
The PBUC wants eight things
from their potential umpires
before hiring them for jobs. First,
you must have a high school

diploma. If you cannot read, how
will you ever begin to read the

tule book? Second, you must rea-
sonably fit. Third, you must have
20/20 vision (with or without
corrective lenses). The fourth

requirement is strong interper-
sonal skills. The fifth is good
communication skills. Sixth, you must have quick
reflexes and very good coordination. Seventh, you
must have some sort of athletic
ability. And the last, but definite- -
ly a the least, requirement is to what it takes
attend and complete the required
training at a professional umpire to be a pro
school.

The first and foremost step on
the road to becoming a profes-
sional umpire is attending one of
three approved professional umpire schools, which
are all located in the state of Florida. The three
schools are independently owned
and operated by professional d h
umpires, Jim Evans, Harry ave tam P otos
Wendelstedt and Joe Brinkman.
The PBUC has no say in what goes on at the
school, but takes the school’s words very seriously.
This is how the umpire will get chosen for the eval-
uation course, which is a week long evaluation clinic
where you umpire and show off your talent. Thi