After high school, the next step is either the professional ranks or college baseball.  I want to pursue the Major Leagues. This takes years to achieve.  However, it can be done if I use good management skills, hard work, and dedication.  Basically, I have to be one of the best.  In order to even be considered, I need to attend one of the two professional umpire baseball schools.

• Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring
• Wendelstedt Umpire School

After graduating from one of these schools, I will then qualify for a one week evaluation camp.

• Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation Camp - It is located in Cocoa Beach, Florida.  This is where I will compete for a job in the Minor Leagues.  However, no one is promised a job when they get to this camp because only 40-50 jobs are open each year.

The Minor Leagues

The 8 levels of Minor League Baseball from the lowest to highest and their starting salaries:
 

Rookie	$1,800 - 2,000 per month
Rookie Advanced	$1,800 - 2,000 per month
Short Season Class A	$1,800 - 2,000 per month plus rent, meals, & health insurance
Class A	$1,800 - 2,000 per month plus rent, meals, & health insurance
Class A Advanced	$1,900 - 2,200 per month plus rent, meals, & health insurance
Class AA	$2,200 - 2,500 per month plus room rent, mileage expenses, & meals
Class AAA	$2,900 - 3,400 per month plus air fare, room, & meals

If I have success climbing the ladder within 8-10 years in the Minor Leagues, my chances of being qualified to become a Major League Umpire either in the American League or National League will still be questionable.  This means that I would have to be the one of the best in the Umpire Development Program because only two positions open each year.

The Major Leagues

The salary of the Major League Umpire's:
 
 

Regular Season	$75,000 - $225,000 per season plus $40,000 for expenses along with 1st class air fare
Playoffs	$17,500 additional bonus
World Series	$20,000 additional bonus plus expenses

Even though, after the firing of 22 Major League Umpires last season, the door to the major leagues will be a very tough one to achieve.  Hopefully, with the stability of the Major League Umpires Union and the new World Umpires Association with better management, both Major League Baseball, and the umpires could restore some dignity that was lost.  Hopefully by the time I get there everything will be solved, so there will be a balance between the two sides.

Conclusion

After exploring the Umpire Development Program.  The chances of me making the Major Leagues is a very slim possibility. Developing a plan like this one is an excellent way to manage a very tough system that demands almost perfection from it's employees. This is the only way I can achieve this.  However if I make work hard at it, maybe my dream can be a reality.  However if I die in the program as many well qualified umpires do, I would then pursue a Ph.D. in the sport industry where I can take my communication skills and apply them as a professor.  Having good management skills such as planning and communication will be essential in teaching students what it is like in the real world.

Annotated Bibliography

Professional Leagues

1.  Major League Baseball Homepage - http://www.majorleaguebaseball.com/
This is the official site of Major League Baseball.  You can find everything on this web site.  It gives you different links to all of the different teams.  Also, it has headlines, scores, and statistics.  In addition, it provides you the Official Playing Rules, which the most important part of this web site for the umpire at any level.

2.  Minor League Baseball Homepage - http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/
This is the official site of Minor League Baseball.  This site gives you all of the different classes, leagues, and teams that make up the Minor Leagues.  Also, it gives you standings of each of the different leagues.  Included in this site is salary information for umpires in each class.

College Associations

3.  N.C.A.A. Online - http://www.ncaa.org/
This is the official site of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.  You can find information about any sport the N.C.A.A. has to offer.  Also, this site offers different links to all of the conferences, universities, and colleges that make up this association.  Other services are provided to help both the athlete and the official.

4.  N.A.I.A. Homepage - http://www.naia.org/
This is the official site of the National Association and Intercollegiate Athletics, which is secondary to the N.C.A.A.  This association is the governing body of small colleges.  All officials must follow their rules and procedures when officiating a N.A.I.A. sanctioned event. 

High School Associations

5.  N.F.H.S. Homepage - http://www.nfhs.org/home.html
This is the official site of the National Federation of High Schools.  It is the governing body to all of the state associations in the United States including the O.H.S.A.A.  They produce the rule books and regulations that the umpires have use to enforce the game at the high school level.

6. O.H.S.A.A. Homepage - http://www.ohsaa.org/
This is the official site of the Ohio High School Athletic Association.  I am certified with this association.  They are the governing body of all high school athletics in the state of Ohio.  They enforce the guidelines of sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity to all of its members including its officials.

Umpire Schools

7.  Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring - http://www.umpireacademy.com
This site is one of the two schools where the road to the Major Leagues start.  This is where you make the transition from an amateur to a professional umpire.  It is located in Kissimmee, Florida at the Oseola County Stadium and Sports Complex.  At the five week camp, you will be trained by Jim Evans, an American League Umpire, and his associates who are all qualified Major League and Minor League Umpires.

8.  Wendelstedt Umpire School Homepage
http://webmaster.daytonatrophy.com/umpireschool/
This site is the other professional baseball umpire school.  It is ran by Harry Wendelstedt, a National League Umpire.  It is located in Ormond Beach, Florida.  You will be trained by his staff how to become a professional umpire.  After graduation, you will then be on your way in being a professional umpire.

Umpire Unions & Associations

9. Major League Umpires Union  - http://www.majorleagueumps.com/
This is the official site of the M.L.U.A.  It is biggest union in professional baseball.  This site gives and in-depth analysis of making the Major League level as an umpire.  Other information in this site gives the entire roster of the Major League Umpires.  Also, it gives a complete electronic access to the rules of the game.

10.  Amateur Baseball Umpires Association Home Page - http://www.abua.com/
This is the official site of the Amateur Baseball Association.  It evaluates the amateur umpire in five levels of certification in the high school and collegiate levels.  This association's emphases is on helping umpires reach the next level through instruction and education.

11.  NASO Home Page - http://www.naso.org/
This is the official site for the National Association of Sports Officials.  This sites mission is to improve officiating by helping the official with teaching and mentioning.  Also, it gives benefits to its members.  It main emphases is to better support for the official making his work environment a better one.

Officiating Resources

12.  Umpire's Resource Center - http://www.umpire.org/
This site contains any possible information in umpiring.  It spans from the Major Leagues to the amateur level.  It gives you quizzes and tests.  In addition, it provides you information in rules, procedures, and mechanics to better improve the umpire's game.   It is a very useful tool.

Library Sources

13.  Lexis-Nexis

"NLRB Rules Against Phillips," The Associated Press,  January 21, 2000.
Richie Philips has lost his stronghold as union leader of the MLUA, and for the new NLRB.  The NLRB, who is represented by AL umpire John Hirshbeck, who promises to end the fighting within the organization, so the game of baseball can regain its prestige.

"Phillips' umpires down to final strike; After This, No More Appeals" The Cincinnati Enquirer,  February 5, 2000.
Richie Phillips has one more appeal to keep his job as bargaining representative.  NLRB has the final decision whether Phillips will keep his job.  If they rule that there was no interference by MLB to oust Philips the vote will stand and Phillips will be removed as bargaining representative.

"Consolidation of Umps Has to Wait" USA Today,  January 28, 2000.
Major League Baseball's dream to unite the umpires in the American and National Leagues have been set aside for the 2000 season due to the resistance of the old MLUA and the new World Umpires' Association.  Baseball is still finding a way to make their dream if of having total control over its two leagues and it's umpires a reality.

"No More Bud Lite: Commish All Powerful" The Associated Press State & Local Wire, January 21, 2000.
Commissioner Bud Selig wants to centralize Major League Baseball by having total control over the umpires to ensure fairness of the game.  Also, he wants to integrate both the American and National Leagues by eliminating their presidents who control each league.

14.  Business and Industry Database

"Nike 'Fun Police' TV spot puts referees on defense"  Advertising Age.  69.  (22) p.10. June 1, 1998.
This article explains one of Nike's newest television ad that mocked officials.  They were trying to sell footwear and apparel.  The ad has been aired during the N.B.A. Finals on N.B.C.  This really was not a good idea to do because more people will think that professional officials and umpires are incompetent and overpaid, which is not true at all.

"Swinging for an Ad Hit in Minor Leagues: True North Unit Touts Sponsorships" Cran's Chicago Business. p. 6  December 7, 1998.
This article discusses Minor League Baseball's attempt to get better advertising within this level.  If clubs get more revenue that can make their league become richer.  If there is success, the salaries for umpires could increase down the road.  In doing this, it will help the profession.

15.  F & S Index

"Baseball Ratings Ratings Showing Comeback '98" Cableworld July 13, 1998 p. 8.
This article discusses that baseball ratings are on a come back.  Since the strike in 1994, baseball has struggled a great deal trying to get their fans back.  For a while, it seemed that the national pastime would never be the same again.  However with better television ratings and attendance, baseball has been rejuvenated.  Thus, it gives clubs, players, coaches, and umpires a new sense of job security.

"ESPN Uses Virtual Ads for Baseball" Broadcasting & Cable July 13, 1998 p. 49.
This article explains the new use of using virtual billboards during a baseball game.  Hopefully, this will be a new way for baseball to add more sponsorship to its ball clubs.  In return, this means more revenue for everyone including possibly umpires down the road.