The players take the field, the stadium sound system declares “Play Ball!” or better still, “It’s time for Dodger baseball.” The fans settle down into their chosen seats in anticipation of the game that is to unfurl. The pitcher takes his warm up pitches while they are being counted as only eight are allowed. That count is taken by one of the four “men in blue”- the umpires – who will regulate and officiate the game.

During the game they will keep things moving and including balls and strikes they will make 300 to 400 decisions, perhaps more. While they are making those decisions to the best of their ability there are other umpiring crews at work including thousands of home town fans, fifty players plus their coaches and managers and a home audience of unknown count. There is little wonder that we hear fans shouting, “You’re missing a good game!” or “Want to borrow my glasses!” and sometimes epithets that cannot make it to the print media but are picked up through televised games.

It causes one to wonder how these men become umpires. Perhaps the better question would be why they become umpires. They follow a grueling schedule with perhaps no series in their home towns, living away from home all during the season with constant travel and quite often a daily barrage from players and fans alike.

Who in their right mind would ever want to be an MLB (or MiLB) umpire?
(Photo courtesy of accessnorthgacom)

The life of a MLB umpire is certainly no picnic nor is the path to their location behind the plate or on the bases at Dodger Stadium or some other MLB venue. They are paid well for their services and their union – the World Umpires Association – tends to their labor negotiations and deals with any labor disputes. The starting pay for a rookie umpire is $120,000 with senior umpires earning upwards of $350,000 while the most senior MLB umpires can earn about $400,000. They receive a $340 per diem to cover hotels and food. MLB umpires receive four weeks of paid vacation and both the National League and the American League fly them first class to their next game sites.

Major league umpires, as with players, follow their dream of umpiring at the highest level in the game, a dream that somehow got started in their youth at the lowest of levels. The question is often asked, “How do you become a MLB umpire?” That is, how do you become one of the 68 men in blue at the MLB level? Christie Cowles is an Editor/Producer for MLB.com. She outlines a five step program on becoming an umpire:

1. Enroll in one of three umpiring schools approved by MLB. The best known school for many fans is the Harry Wendelstedt School for Umpires. The courses run for five weeks, usually in January and February.
2. Get noticed: Instructors look for many characteristics other than knowledge of baseball rules when evaluating potential umpires. MLB Director of Umpire Administration Tom Lepperd states “Confidence, a strong presence on the field, knowledge of the mechanics — where to go when the ball is hit, forceful calls, good use of voice, hustle and ability to handle situations on the field (are all important),” Former PBUC Director Mike Fitzpatrick adds that good judgment and character are things instructors look for as well.
3. Finish top of the class: In 2011 top 16 percent of all umpire school enrollees were selected to begin umpiring careers.
4. Begin assignment in lower leagues
5. Wait for ‘The Call’: Altogether there are 68 umpires in the Majors, and 225 in the minor leagues so with the low turnover there are very few openings.

The newest umpiring school (appropriately named The Umpire School) recently opened its doors in 2012 at the Vero Beach Sports Complex, which will always be known as ‘Dodgertown’ to longtime Dodger fans as it was the spring training home of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1948 through 2008. The Umpire School has quickly gained a reputation for being one of the best (if not the best) umpire schools and is now a top source for minor league umpires.

The life of a minor league umpire pretty much mirrors the life of a minor league baseball player. Umpires earn a minimum $2,600 per month at Triple-A, $2,300 at Double-A, $2,000 at Class A and $1,900 at rookie leagues.

Per diem for a minor league umpire is higher than that of a minor league player at $42.50-$56 depending on the minor league level in which they work. Pay for minor-league umpires is only by the season, usually three to five months a year. As such and as a matter of necessity, they must work other jobs during the off season.

Once his career begins a minor league umpire faces an almost impossible task of realizing his dream. The vast majority of umpires working within the various professional baseball leagues below MLB never make it to the majors. The attrition rate at the MLB level is about one per year, making one opening for a Triple A umpire a year, to claim a permanent job at that level. According to MLB Director of Umpire Administration Tom Lepperd, it takes “usually seven to 10 years in the minor leagues” before an umpire gets to the Majors. That’s twice the amount of time it normally takes a ballplayer to make his way through the ranks”. When a student is fortunate enough to be recommended for a job, he begins his professional umpiring career at the bottom of baseball’s hierarchy in either rookie or short-season Class A baseball. Whereas a minor league player can skip a level or levels, an umpire cannot. Baseball fans know it is almost impossible to dismiss an umpire in the major leagues, but a minor league umpire who is evaluated as no longer being a major-league prospect will be released, ending his professional career.

Shaun Lampe, working in the AA Eastern League explains some of the challenges of being a minor league umpire. Lampe points out that minor league players and umpires go through similar challenges but with one major difference. Since they don’t have a home base, as players do, umpires are constantly on the road. Instead of having 25 or more teammates to spend the season with, they have only each other, a minor league crew comprised of three members. The crew becomes a summer family, staying in the same hotels, often the same one occupied by the visiting team, and travels in a league owned van. Seven to eight hour drives are not uncommon. According to Lampe, “This year from April 3rd and September 3rd we had 11 days off, two being the All-Star Break. So on average we work three to four weeks without a day off and then we’ll have one day off.”

Brian De Brawler, a second member of Lampe’s crew, relates that being away from his family for so long is the worst part of his job. When asked about his worst moment as an umpire De Brauwere did not relate an on field incident but was quick to respond, “Just any random night on the road when you wish you were home and you’re laying in a hotel.” Lampe added, “Especially when you have something going on at home and you have no control or you can’t get there.”

Roberto Ortiz, the third member of the crew, echoed the feelings of his crew mates that he also misses his family especially because they’re so far away and can’t easily travel to see him. Roberto is from Puerto Rico.

Just as minor league players pursue a dream knowing the changes of reaching the MLB level are small, minor league umpires, whose chances are even smaller, continue to give their best knowing it might always be in the minor leagues. Shaun Lampe: “Just because an umpire has put in the time and done a great job doesn’t necessarily mean he will reach his goal of a big league gig.”

In the California League Derek Eaton is pursuing a similar dream. Eaton, who is single, is willing to live on the road every summer, spending his days in strange hotels and nights in minor league ballparks, all in the name of chasing that dream. “We work every day trying to get better and move forward,” Eaton said. “Once we’re told that there’s no spot for us at the next level, then so be it. Until then I’ll keep trying to work my way up.”

(Article re-posted from June 16, 2013)