FT Detectives: The Undercover Umpires Quiz

Answer: True

Most umpires have never called a game before they decide to go for umpire training. As umpires spend a considerable amount of time in training studying the MLB rulebook, it's probably best that they start with a blank slate when it comes to the rules.

Answer: Pam Postema

Postema was admitted to umpire school in 1977. She worked her way up and spent six years working triple-A level games. In 1988, she was tapped to umpire for the Major League at spring training, the first woman to be so honored. She also umpired for a Hall of Fame Major League game between the NY Yankees and the Atlanta Braves.

Her contract was canceled in 1989, for which she sued the league for gender discrimination.

Answer: Florida

The two umpire schools are the "Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring", and the "Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School". You need to finish the course at one or the other, usually along with the Umpire Camp sponsored by the Major League, to be considered for MLB umpiring.

Answer: No

Umpire school is intensely competitive, and success is very subjective. About 300 students enroll each year, but only the students in about the top 20% of the class get tapped to sit for the exams sponsored by the Professional Baseball Umpires Corporation.

Answer: 7-10 years

New professional umpires start off in the rookie leagues and work their way up, usually one level per year if they're any good, bringing them to Class AA by about the fourth year on the job. It's then another 3-4 years before they get promoted to triple-A games. From that point on, they may sub in for Major League umpires and work with the MLB players at spring training games, but they will only be tapped for a permanent position on the Major League umpire roster if another top-level umpire steps down.

Answer: Blue

Although other colors have started to creep back into the spectrum of umpire uniforms, umpires traditionally wore blue, and were called "Blue" accordingly. However, most umpires prefer it if you call them by their real name.

Answer: Umpires play each base on a rotation

Umpires rotate positions from game to game. A standard Major League umpire crew will have four umpires, one for each base. The umpire at home plate is called the umpire-in-chief for that game. For games of major importance like playoffs, the World Series and the All-Star game, there are sometimes six umpires, one for each base and two in the outfield.

Answer: 42 (for Jackie Robinson)

Jackie Robinson's number 42 was the first number that has been retired across the entirety of Major League Baseball. That applies to umpires also.

Answer: True

The World Umpires Association is a certified labor union. It was founded in February of 2000.

Answer: Crew chief

The crew chief is a different position from the umpire-in-chief. The latter is the name given to whichever umpire is stationed at home plate during a game. The former is a more consistent position, usually the umpire with career seniority among the four-man crew.