How do officials in US games qualify and where are they drawn from ?
Cricket umpires of the professional game are former players who all played at the highest professional level, usually for their country; the advantage is that the players respect their judgment as they have 'been there'.Soccer referees on the other hand never are; they are career referees who started as referees at the lowest level in amateur leagues and progressed.
So where do officials in baseball, American Football and (ice) hockey come from and how do they qualify ? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 08-25-03, 10:03 AM Koz Baseball umpires have to attend an “Umpire School”. There are several here. They are owned and run by either former or current Major League Umpires. If a student is considered good enough they are offered jobs at lower baseball levels. Many start in small colleges or low-level minor leagues. Much like a player they are constantly observed and graded on performance. The better the umpire is, the faster they move up the ladder.
I am not sure about hockey, or football. I would have to guess it is a similar arrangement.
08-25-03, 11:15 AM bluezebra Justin Backsmeyer Koz gave a very good answer on baseball umpires. You start doing youth leagues, then high schoo, etc. BUT, to do MLB you MUST attend one of the ONLY two recognized umpire schools: Jim Evans and Harry Wendelstedt, both located in Florida. There is no prerequisite that you have umpiring experience before enroling. Some have never umped before.
Depending on the need, the top 25 or so from each school are selected to attend an evaluation. Those chosen from there are assigned to Rookie or Lower A leagues. They are constantly evaluated, and progress up the ladder just like the players.
It's not easy. There are 68 MLB umps, and 225 in the Minors. Many drop out in the lower Minors, and some are cut. If they make it to AAA (the highest Minors), they are evaluated again to see if they should be promoted to the Majors.
In the "Old Days", umpires usually were retired players, or those who couldn't advance to MLB. That's the way it was when I was a youngster.
NFL officials usually start in youth leagues, high school, jr. college, large college, then get an invite to the NFL. Of course, on the way, there are clinics, meetings, tests, etc., to be qualified. And they are evaluated in EVERY game, and at the end of the season.
Bob
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
