AS THEY SEE ‘EM-A FAN’S TRAVELS IN THE LAND OF UMPIRES

 

 

 

 

When it comes to umpires, I link them with MTA Board Members, people who listen to iPods with cheap ass headphones, and morons who talk on their cell phone while on line at the deli, as the people in this world I can’t stand but after reading Bruce Weber’s new book “As They See ‘Em, A Fan’s Travel in the Land of Umpires” (published by Scribner) I may knock them down to my “people who annoy me list”.

Weber a long time reporter for the New York Times, went to the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring in Kissimmee FL back in 2005 to do a story for the Times and ended up enrolling in the Academy and has written this book to give fans an insight on the men who arbitrate the game of baseball.

Weber joins an umpiring crew in Double A and gives a first hand account on the travel, low pay, abuse and long days of umpiring in the bushes while dreaming of a Major League promotion just like the players in the lowly minors.

Weber also covers QuesTech and how it has effected the game, the way Richie Phillips screwed over the umpires on 1999, thoughts on instant replay and anecdotes from some of the more veteran umpires in baseball.

Weber writes a very entertaining book and it’s a subject not usually written about. It won’t make you join the Angel Hernandez Fan Club but it’s well worth your time to read.

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