How to Become a MLB Professional Baseball Umpire

Becoming a Major League Baseball umpire takes years of dedication.

Becoming a Major League Baseball umpire takes years of hard work and dedication. Just like professional players, umpires must begin their careers in the minor leagues and work their way up to get a shot at the majors. With only 68 umpires in Major League Baseball, becoming an umpire at that levelis a prestigious accomplishment reserved only for those who are dedicated to becoming the best in their profession.

Instructions

1. Meet the basic requirements for professional umpires. Major League Baseball requires that candidates have a high school diploma or G.E.D., 20/20 vision with or without corrective lenses, a reasonable body weight, some athletic ability, good coordination and reflexes, and good communication skills.

2. Attend a professional umpire training school approved by the Professional Baseball Umpire Corp (PBUC). There are only two schools approved by the PBUC - the Jim Evans' Academy of Professional Umpiring, located in Kissimmee, Florida, and the Harry Wendelstedt School for Umpires, located in Ormond Beach, Florida. The training course is five weeks long and is offered during baseball's offseason.

3. Graduate at the top of your class. After finishing the training course, only the top graduates are invited to attend an evaluation course. The number of students invited to the course varies based on the projected need for umpires at lower levels.

4. Show good character, knowledge and ability during the evaluation course. Students are monitored during the course and successful candidates are recommended for hire to Rookie and Class-A minor league presidents.

5. Demonstrate ability in your minor league assignments. Professional umpires are evaluated throughout their minor league careers and recommended for promotion to the next minor league level when they have demonstrated appropriate ability. Once umpires reach the Triple-A level, they are evaluated by the MLB to determine who should be promoted to the major leagues. According to the MLB's Director of Umpire Administration, it takes an average of seven to 10 years working in the minor leagues before an umpire is called up to the majors.

References

• Major League Baseball: Umpires: How to Become an Umpire