One of the most consistent last-ditch "explanations" for keeping women out of certain jobs is some variation on the theme of the "physical demands" of the job. Seeing as how most male umps are fat-asses who probably have to stop for breath on the way out the the plate, I am just cringing waiting for the day that this old warhorse is trotted out again.


Hell, at least the NBA refs have to run for 48 minutes, and the women seem to do at least as well as Dick Bavetta in that regard.

 Collin -- 4/05/2007 11:27 AM  

I've officiated more than a half-dozen sports in my lifetime and spent 37 years officiating basketball. I think the reason there are more women as basketball officials at the pro level is that more and more women are playing basketball. Most - not all but most - of the officials I have worked with over the years also played the sport they now officiate.

There are fewer women playing baseball than basketball; there are fewer women playing football than basketball. I believe this situation is an important part of why there are fewer women as umpires or football officials at the highest levels of the game.

I really don't think that "physical limitations" really apply to most officiating situations. On of the best basketball officials I ever worked with was a woman whose physical strength was very limited. But she could run and she knew the game and she was always in position and she did an outstanding job on the court - - even though she could not have beaten your average 12-year-old boy in a game of "one-on-one".

 The Sports Curmudgeon -- 4/05/2007 2:29 PM  

The problem is that all umpires are hated. They have no fans and the best they can hope for is that no one even notices that they are there.

You add to the equation a female umpire, which the majority of baseball players would think underqualified, and it is a dangerous recipe. I suspect the charge that Postema was throwing too many people out of games was a result of the lack of respect players and managers showed her. The ejected players probably dropped some comments on her about her gender and she was probably justified in tossing them, but I'm sure this didn't engender any support for her around the league.

I would think, although I have no proof, that most of the umpires in the minor and major leagues played baseball in high school, which gives them a leg up in the understanding of the game and rules. It would seem to be an easier transition to the role of umpire from this background than a background lacking in on-field exposure to the sport.

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