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If you love the game of baseball, have a working knowledge of the rules, and possess the determination and gumption it takes to make it to the major league level, albeit in a non-player capacity, then you might have considered pursuing a career as a professional umpire. This page will walk you through the process of how to become an umpire.
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Tips
- It takes umpires twice as long to get to the majors as it takes a professional baseball playerhttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp
- Aspiring umpires must train at one of two schools in Floridahttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp
- Each year 300 potential umpires attend one of the two umpire schoolshttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp
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Professional Umpires: Road to the Majors
This video features several major league and minor league umpires discussing the process and probability for getting to the majors as an umpire. There are usually 150 - 175 aspiring umpires in each training class, 25 of which actually progress to the next level, which is placement camp. Here, the progression through the umpire ranks includes rookie ball, short season, long season, high season A, low season A, AA, AAA and finally big league ball. This entire process takes an average of six to seven years. Once in AAA, potential major league umpires are 'given a look.' However, even if they are seriously considered as a major league umpire, they will still have to attend Arizona Fall League and Big League Spring, before having to 'fill-in' for major league umpires in at least 200 games. After that, fill-in umpires will only be hired when a current MLB umpire steps down.
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Introduction
Are you passionate about baseball? Do you consider yourself a detail-oriented person; someone with sharp vision and great communication skills? If so, you might have what it takes to become a major league umpire. Read on to learn more about how to advance to the major league level as an umpire. -
Step 1: Learn the Game of Baseball
If you want to become an umpire at the major league baseball level, you should first learn all you can about the sport of baseball. This includes reading about the game, playing the game, learning the rules of the game, attending and watching games, etc. Once you feel like you know a lot about the sport, try umpiring in your community. To start, you may want to volunteer as an umpire at little league teams.http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp
- Read about the game
- Play the game
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Step 2: Meet the Requirements
All major league umpires must have a high school diploma or a G.E.D.. They must also meet the following requirements:
- Possess good communications skillshttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp
- Have some athletic abilityhttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp
- Quick reflexes and good coordinationhttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp
- 20/20 visionhttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp
- Attend professional umpire schoolhttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp
Step 3: Attend Professional Umpire School
In order to become a major league umpire, you must attend one of two professional umpire schools located in Florida - The Jim Evans' Academy of Professional Umpiring or the Harry Wendelstedt School for Umpires. Each year, about 300 aspiring umpires attend these two schools, many of which know very little about umpiring a game.http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp While attending this school, you should try to:
- Finish at the top of your classhttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp
- Get noticed by your professorshttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp
Step 4: Begin a Minor League Assignment
- Not all umpires that graduate from professional umpire school actually achieve success as umpires on the minor league level. They must go through an evaluation course in which their professors from umpire school recommend they advance to the minors. Even when they do advance, the average amount of time spent umpiring in the minor leagues is about 10 years, and that does not guarantee you will become a major league umpire.http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp
- There are only 68 major league umpires, and 225 minor league umpires. The turnover rate is slow.http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp If you make it to the minor league level, expect to go through:
- Rookie ball
- Short season Class A
- Long season Class A
- Double AA
- Triple AAA
- Once you have advanced through the minor leagues, there is a possibility you will be asked to fill-in at the major league level. Before this happens though, you will have to umpire at Arizona Fall League and Spring ball. Then, you will be required to fill-in for over 200 games before being eligible to become a major league umpire. At the point, it is just a matter of waiting from one of the current umpires to step down from the job.
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