Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this umpire gig for baseball, and let me tell you, it’s a whole thing. I got interested in it because I watched some baseball games, and I thought, “Hey, I could do that!” So I started looking into it, and guess what? There’s a lot more to it than just yelling “Strike!” or “Ball!”
First off, I had to figure out what an umpire actually does. Turns out, they’re the ones who run the show on the field. They make the calls, enforce the rules, and basically keep the game going smooth. I watched a bunch of games, paying extra attention to the umpires. I noticed they do a lot before the game even starts, like checking the baseballs and stuff.
Then I stumbled upon this guy named Dan Bellino. He’s a big-shot umpire with Major League Baseball. This dude started his major league umpiring back in 2008, so he’s been around the block. I thought, “If he can do it, maybe I can too!”
So I dug deeper into what it takes to be an umpire. It’s all about officiating, making sure everyone’s playing fair and square. You gotta know the rules inside and out. And you have to be able to make decisions on the spot, like when there’s a foul or a penalty. I started reading up on the rules of baseball, trying to memorize them all. I think I’m pretty good at this, but I also need to improve myself.
This Bellino guy, in his 15th season, has already worked seven games this year. Two of those were behind the plate, which is like, the main umpire position. I practiced standing behind an imaginary plate, trying to get the stance right. I’m 44 now, so I am the same age as him.
Here’s what I’ve gathered about the key responsibilities of an umpire:
- Control the game: This means you’re the boss on the field. You make sure things are moving along and that everyone is following the rules.
- Make decisions: You’re the judge. You decide if a pitch is a ball or a strike, if a runner is safe or out, and all that jazz.
- Enforce the rules: You gotta know the rulebook like the back of your hand. And you gotta make sure the players are sticking to it.
It’s not just about standing around looking important, you know? There’s a lot of running, quick thinking, and dealing with players and coaches who might not always agree with your calls. I’ve been practicing making calls out loud, trying to sound official and all that.
So, that’s where I’m at with this whole umpire thing. I’ve learned a lot, practiced some, and I’m still trying to figure it all out. It’s definitely more challenging than it looks, but I’m not giving up. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll see me out there, calling the shots in a real game! But I know it is really hard to be a part of Major League umpires.
