Minor League Baseball

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a professional baseball umpire? Do you feel that you know the rules better than the umpires at games you attend or watch on television?

If so, here is what you need to become a professional baseball umpire.

Candidates for becoming a Minor League umpire must have a High School Diploma or G.E.D., be of reasonable body weight, have 20/20 vision (with or without glasses or contact lenses), good communication skills, quick reflexes and good coordination, some athletic ability and required preliminary training for the job.

Required preliminary training for the job means that the candidate is required have gone to professional umpire school.

It typically takes anywhere from seven to eight years as a Minor League umpire before moving up to the Major Leagues.

Picking up at least one hit in 60 of 67 games played to start his professional baseball career, Roberto Lopez of the Orem Owlz finished his season as a .400 hitter on the mark.

He entered play on Thursday with a .399 average and finished the game 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs.

He began his professional career with a 24 game hitting streak and has now ended his first season in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization with a .400average on the season.

He was drafted in the 25th round of this year’s First-Year Player Draft.

Lopez hit .340 in his senior season at the University of Southern California.

Lopez was named the Pioneer League MVP. He collected 108 hits, 28 doubles, 72 RBIs, 68 runs, .481 on-base percentage and a .668 slugging percentage.

He also stroked 14 homeruns.

To add to the excitement of the .400 season, the Owlz won the game 5-2 over the Ogden Raptors.