evaluation course is operated by the PBUC. Each umpire is evaluated on their performance, and at the conclusion of the evaluation is given notice of their standing in the class. At this point, the top umpires get recommended to the Minor League Presidents as candidates for new job openings. The umpires that come from the course start their careers and progress through the leagues for at least six to eight years before they move up to Class AAA (Vancouver Canadians’ Pacific Coast League is Class AAA), before being considered for a Major League spot. This is a long and dedicated path for many umpires. They sacrifice a lot of things in life to pursue their careers. This is what professional umpire lan Lamplugh has done. The 33—year—old umpire has been in the minor leagues fof eight—and—a—half years. Lamplugh was born and raised in Victoria, BC, and began umpiring shortly after high school. At that time Lamplugh had no idea what was going to hap- pen to him over the next [4 years. Lamplugh was one of the pioneers in profession- al baseball, being one of the few Canadian profes- sional umpires in the Minor Leagues. Since then there have been many more Canadian umpires attending the schools. In fact, this past year three Canadian umpires were accepted to work in the juvenile classes of the Minor Leagues. This has opened more doors for young Canadian umpires and has made the PBUC and the professional umpire schools notice hat kind of talent there is in (Canada’s umpiring system. anadian players aren't the only ossible prospects any more. When Lamplugh first went into e Minor Leagues, he had some ideas about what it would be like. ‘T thought that the travelling and eeing a bit of the country would e fun,” says Lamplugh. “You umpire every night uring the season and have just as many games as e players do, so you are always on the road.” Many people commonly think that because an mpire is constantly on the road and doing so any games, he is well-paid. But money is very parse. “Some guys can barely survive on what they n during the season. Most of us have to find a job in the off-season, unless we get to work winter ball in Hawaii or somewhere in Central America. This past year I was a handyman for a man on a secluded island just off of Vancouver Island.” In Class A you get paid $2100 US per month for about six months, which is the duration of the sea- son, The off season is a very important time. Umpires have to live for the next four to six months until baseball season is back. Lamplugh says, “I enjoy mountain biking and a bit of running to keep my legs in shape. There's nothing worse than getting sore legs early in a season. I also do a little bit of weightlifting to keep my muscles toned.” Many umpires use this time to find jobs and keep in shape. “ just hope the National League begins to take notice as well,” he says. Jan Lamplugh is currently being given some consideration by the American League. It has taken about eight years for Lamplugh to get this far, and he is very close to becoming a major league umpire. Who knows, maybe we'll see Lamplugh umpiring the plate for a Toronto Blue Jays game or even a Montreal Expos game. “I don’t mind which league I’m in just as long as I can get there.” Lamplugh comments, “My most favourite thing about umpiring is the camaraderie amongst the guys. It is like every umpire in the League is your best § friend.” The really odd thing about * umpiring is that you would expect 4 everyone to take no prisoners and be ruthless, much like players fighting | for the same spot. Lamplugh has 32 best friends, the number of regis- tered umpires this year. “The guys who try to cut down their partners and show them up are usually released and never make it to Class AAA, never mind the Major Leagues. It is a tough and long road to become a profes- sional umpire in the Major League ranks. One screwup could be a career ending mistake. But the flip side is Ian Lamplugh’s career so far: he will more than likely make it into the Major Leagues, knock on wood those who are superstitious.