[No, not our MLB UMPIRE.]

Former pro baseball umpire Tyler Hoffman offers his coming out story in the current Advocate online.

To succeed in the profession that was his life-long dream, he played the all-too-familiar straight charade through school and for five years on the road. He describes "a paramilitary structure" with very competitive, macho company that was "joined at the hip" for an entire season. I cannot imagine.

Retired from the show now, openly gay, Hoffman acknowledges that "There remain gay umpires at every level of the sport who live with the contradictions every day." Sadly, unknown to one another, and in some ways to themselves.

Good for him. Whoever said that a person can't be a tough, macho umpire and be gay? Whoever said that just because you're gay, you can't do just as good a job as any other guy?

Wow... Way to go Mr. Hoffman!!!!

It's probably way to soon to suggest, but I put this to you, honorable gentlemen of Outsports.

Could a thread been pulled that may start an unraveling in the cloak of that corse str8jacket, unthinkable only years ago?

First, a few isolated threads, Kopay, Burke,
Smith (though, he never admitted it.). a coach here, a sports director there...
Then, a few larger, more noticable ones, Navatarolla, Luganies...
Then, an ususpected loose thread, Bean,
next, soon after, Tuaolo,
now, Hoffman...

Little by little, they come out...first the ones who are now safe... next... the active player...

Be patient gentlemen... somethings must come in it's own time.

My only question is ,since he only served 5 yrs as an umpire ,how old is he? 28- 35-45?? The article doesn't say .

Sounds like where I work ...Lots of guys cheat & drink !

Hey Ump,

thanks for that explaination of what it takes to be an umpire in MLB. I had always wondered about the processes. Thanks so much for that information.

Now, if only I can figure out how ot work the penalty box at NHL games.

Trevor

Thanks from here too MLB UMPIRE. That sounds like a very plausible scenario from a first-hand observer.

Perhaps Tyler was referring to the players behavior as you suggested.

However the Big Brother-gone-mad scenario is IMO not limited to umpires or any other profession by any means. From my experiences as a chemist, scrutiny of out-of-the-workplace behavior is very common.

Whether the reason is legitimate business interest or national security, it is a price extracted by some for the reward of an open society.

MLB UMPIRE, allow me to add my thanks for your comments about the article. Reading it, I had many questions that I hoped would be addressed by someone with first-hand knowledge of MLB and your response more than answered them.

~Adam

Not that it matters much, but is Tyler Hoffman anywhere in the same family tree as Glenn and Trevor?

I always enjoy reading your posts, MLB UMPIRE. I imagine that a lot of the Big Brother you talk about, is for your protection as well as the image of MLB umpires. We've already seen what a rabid, drunk fan is capable of (WhiteSox-Royals game, plus the latest CFL game). I haven't heard of any retaliation against umpires or referees off the playing field, but when a call doesn't go the way of a fan's team it is always possible he could lash out.

MLB UMPIRE... you spoken of the scrunity of your private life by the MLB before. Are you saying that there are cops and PI's actually that stake you out while you are on the road and at home? I wonder if the MLB would admit to using such tactics on the umpires? Do you sign any documents agreeing to such a survilance of your private life or giving up any of your freedoms? It shouldn't matter if you "need" to go to any particular place or not, the point is that you have right make the decision yourself, not anyone else, including an employer.

I'm sure such tactics are not used for the sole purpose of catching an umpire doing the jockstrap stradle or the heel to head stretch, what in the world are they looking to catch?

I know of, phone taps at the office and at home is not a surprise, cops to stake homes and pass it throughout the day, people hired as molds just to find out smut on you, sometimes from you, yourself without you even realizing it. I remember, after my own expereince with such an invasion, I was given two folders, each 2 inches thick, of notes, pictures, reports of my comings and goings for a period of a year. They do it till someone hires a lawyer, some good legal arm twisting, then, some administrator looses his job and all goes back to some sort of civility....till the next dufus administrator comes along.

So, like someone else said... many of us have been the subject of intrusive survilance by our employers. I guess the difference with me is that I and others were able to stand up to our employer and call them on the invasion of privacy, abuse of power, and since I work in the public sector, misappropriation of public funds. When you work in the private sector...alot of times...you're at the whim of the owners...and that's that. It's unfortunate you do not enjoy the protections of a private life or the protections for your private life.

I didn't know that you were monitored by PI's.....

I understand this practice, but it's oppression nonetheless.

You're juggling a lot to stay with a industry you like, Ump.

I believe the only acceptable reason for any kind of monitoring would be to make sure an umpire isn't betting on baseball or doing something that would lead to possible game-fixing...to prevent a Pete Rose situation, essentially. (Although I imagine it would be much more difficult for an umpire to intentionally influence a game than for a player or manager.) Beyond that, I can't think of an acceptable reason for such scrutiny.

So... with all the analysis of the Mr. Hoffman's revelation... one is to conclude Mr. Hoffman's revelation is of no significance?

everyone talks about how it will take a major pro jock to come out before any real changes are made in the acceptance of gay jocks by the soicety as a whole. But, I do wonder, even if a major pro jock actually did come out, would anything really change? Yes, there would be a media frenzy, major watercooler conversations, and talk shows for a month of sundays...but after the inital impact, what would change?

Isn't the coming out of all the men before making the real change?

IMO, YEEEUP!

I question none of Ump's choices for his life. I look forward to the time when he feels he can share his identity with us. Either when the political reality of MLB changes, or when retires. However (there's always an "however"), I know that there are umpires with successful marriages in the MLB. If Ump would have been married if straight, then hiding behind the rigors of the MLB schedule is a bit of a cop out. On the other hand, Ump may consider that not a possibility for him, that's not because he's gay or because the life of a MLB umpire is structured badly for long term relationships, but because he, himself, does not wish that sort fo relationship.

Gentlmen, this is Tyler Hoffman...the writer speaks! Some interesting points have been made in regards to my small story of my perspective in baseball. I am 27 years old first off. It's very importatnt to note that I left at the top of my game. In fact the day I was promoted to AA is the same day I said I was packing it in. My career was going somewhere and that's what made the decision to leave even harder. I sure as hell wasn't making excuses for a washed up career!

MLB UMPIRE you are right, life in MLB baseball is different. Some (SOME) of the guys I spent Spring Training with and Fall Assignments with did have drinking problems and did screw around, more screwed around than one might think. For me, this was culture shock. Admittedly, this type of activity becomes less apparant as you move up in the system. MLB UMPIRE is right, it's the off-field activities that will land you a pink slip. It pays to be smart and professional.

I wasn't naieve enough to think that there were no pressures in MLB, I know it's harder with greater responsibilty with a larger microscope.

In the end, am I bitter? NOT AT ALL. Those years were some of the best years in my life. The lifestyle wasn't for me, the downtime wasn't for me and some of the guys in the game I couldn't stand to be around...so I made a change. I wasn't prepared to sacrifice what I needed to sacrifice for that career: Gay or Straight.

The whole premise of the article was to focus on the fact that for my tenure and from my perspective, Professional Baseball doesn't (didn't) support the idea of openly gay men in their ranks. At least the environment wasn't created for me to feel like I could be open.

With hope another young guy will read the article and know he's not alone.

Cheers
Ty

Go Tyler...good for you for making choices from your heart and on your terms...and refusing to become a martyr for a sport! When did umpiring become so damn important that it drives grown men to drink and to give up on having adult relationships? What's that all about? Does it pay extremely well? Does it have some monumental impact on our world that we haven't yet seen? No offense to umpiring or to MLB but give me a break...no one's curing cancer out there. It sounds as if umpiring is a job for masochists. Maybe it's all about the grand importance of MLB and the immense amounts of money at stake.

Ty, Congratulations! You and MLB UMPIRE are both stand-up guys, and I'm pleased to know you both.

To Bryan's comments, I would argue that any career path will be chosen for different reasons by different people, so you can't really generalize. I've certainly known people in the business world who have drunk their way through a career, been lonely, made lots of money and/or lived a life that I too decided to opt out of -- not an easy decision, I might add. It's worth to you what it's worth, masochist or not.

Welcome to Outsports, Ty, hope you'll hang around or at least stop in from time to time. It's a really outstanding community. You might also want to join the Clubhouse and upload a pic... oops, never mind, there's one in your profile. Umm, nice snapshot.

fenwayguy: Down, boy.

Ty: welcome to Outsports. Nice article, and I'm glad you're doing well. I can only imagine how tough it was to give up something that was apparently a lifelong dream.

Bryan,

Very good questions. I think one has to remember what the sport of baseball has meant to the American frabic. Baseball is the quintessenal American sport. To the world, Baseball= America. It is still known, although arguable nowdays, as America's Pasttime, so the sport itself is a valuable national commodity. It's past value is the reason why MLB enjoys it's anti-turst protection. The American public demand that their national pasttime is clear of scandel, at least the appearance of such.

Baseball has always been considered to be old fashion American fun. It's been the sport that everyday Americans could enjoy becuase it encompasses All American values of hard work, team work, ambition, and sportsmanship. It's right up there with mom, apple pie, rooting for the hometeam, peanuts, and hot dogs. In years past, the race for the pennant is what binded us as a nation, during the good times and during the bad times, especially, during the bad times.

It's the game of our childhoods. It's where young boys learn to work with others, put himself aside and contribute to the team effort, and do his best. It's where little boys learn that it's not the winning, but how you win that matters. It's the sport where the underdog always has a chance of being the winner...just ask the Angels.

So, it is not surprising that anything that threatens our national pastime as we know it, or is non-traditional to the sport will be met with fierce opposition. It's the reason why the fans are so sick of the money and whinning from both the owners and the players (not that Umpires whine,ah humm.) Unfortunately, "out" gay men in baseball don't fit the mold. Not that gay men suddenly emerged in the sport in the last 30 minutes...I'm sure there have been a number of gay men in the sport through out the years.

We may also be reminded of the 1919 World Series' scandel. Baseball has always been big business and it's always had it's money aspect to it. In order to keep the game pure, free of unsavory influnces, such strict monitoring is understandable. We can't have our umpires being assoicated with such unsavory characters as mob bosses,and gamblers. Why us jock sniffers and queens of the dugouts fall in the category is beyond me....but such is life.

Yet, with all that said, it's terriblely unconcerting that a man must give up so much of his personal life for a job in the MLB. I agree with Mr. Hoffman and MLB UMPIRE (yes, I really do Ump.), life in the MLB is much different than us average Joes. Coming out in such a magnified public manner and be exposed at such a level, especially when they step out on the field would make the most courageous of us to think twice and it does, like it or not. I believe that is all men like Billy Bean are saying. I do not feel he's advocating the closet but explaining why pro-jocks are in it. It's going to take, not a superstar, but someone with insurmountable courage and willingness to loose it all with such a defiance to the conventional rule of what men are susposed to be in pro sports to make that big splash.

Just a thought...

That's right, I'm not finished...lol

To Mr. Hoffman:

Don't call me out Ump....TAKE ME OUT...


Just a warm n fuzzy welcome to Outsports.

Now that this has been explained so eloquently by both Ump and SaxBuddy, I think the reality of MLB and major league umpiring is much more clear. Politics and money rear their ugly heads again. My uninformed view will now shut up as I can see that I really didn't understand, or didn't want to recognize the discrimination and pressure that still exists in most work places. It's odd but perhaps all the cultural advances geared towards giving our private lives equality and recognition have actually created new environments where private lives are less available or becoming necessarily more private. The price of progress, perhaps? Peace to all...

You know... it's just a flirty howdy. I'm sure Mr. Hoffman will receive the greeting for what it's meant to be.

Being that I respect your cat and mouse situation, UMP, a picture of you is something I really don't think of much. From your above post, I'm sure that's the way you want it as well.

I don't think Mr. Hoffman has anything to worry about... or you.

Hey Ty - Welcome - GREAT article - we are all kinds on here - Umps - cops = politicians -- WELCOME. <--Copman winking at handsome TY.

I think the visibility of gay men this year is at an all time high, what with people like Bingham, Hoffman, Tualo, in addition to the many other men we have discussed at one time or another herein.

I hope Tyler recognizes a simple truth: you are the bridge for future generations. You are part of that which makes men more honest about who they are as well as all the other things we do.

Thank you for speaking out about your experiences in the MLB, Tyler -- and welcome to the Outsports family.

Our ump has joined the Clubhouse.

You know Ump, you could just snap a pic of your bod without the face and let us drool. That would be more than enough for now. ;-)

Mmm yeah, or disguised by his MLB regulation protective equipment.
(Warm weather) (Cold weather)

MMMM... Like having a thread dedicated to your expertise and expereince isn't clue enough, huh.


As far as the drooling...

Wowee!

Maybe Ump doesn't want to compete with Tyler's all torso no face shot...?

We'll call it "The Torsos of the Two Umps" or perhaps the "The Tale of the Two Umps's Torsos?"...

...or something like that..

ok..too much camotion over a picture so now something more related...let's stay on track guys. I know I'm too serious..you'll get over it

HA!!!

You know where I am... you want a chance... give me a ring... otherwise... chances gone by are chances not worth worrying about.

"You know where I am... you want a chance... give me a ring.."

If that isn't an invitation...

The email address is in the profile, use it if you wish. If you're not serious, what chance could I be passing by. I'm 43yrs. Ump, I don't worry too much about the "what ifs" and should have's.

satxbuddy1 and MLB UMPIRE... oooh, what's with the sexual tension between you two?

You think?...Naw, I'm pretty sure it's just a sinus headache.

hey Ty. I like consistency, so are you 27 years old as you write in your first posting, or 26 years old, as put in your profile? need to get the facts in line. Hope you don't make these mistakes in professional life.

Oh, Ump, what's the matter? Can't you take the heat?

But I do have a relevant question to the thread: Ump#2 (Tyler), did you approach The Advocate or did they approach you? Or was there some go-between? When did you originally write the opinion piece? Did they give you direction, edit it or print it as written?

A comment/question. I notice on your web page that you have an interest in non-perscription vitamin supplements. I'm wondering whether you are supplying information on whether these supplements contain substances banned in certain sports such as ephedra (ephedrine) is in football as discussed in this link.

Apparently baseball has different and more lenient rules due to union resistance. Do you think that will change?

Looks like the NFL is going to be in a bit of turmoil when random testing starts in July. Knowing how to find supplements that do not contain banned substances is going to become pretty important. I believe the head of the football players union has already tried with little success to get the FDA involved.

Do you have any idea where baseball stands?

My birthday is in December...I turn 27.

I am a freelance writer and have been published by several other major publications on various topics. My story only recieved a light edit and it's been a work in progress.

I am not sure where baseball stands on the whole sports supplement debate. As for my website, it is a marketing site for a my own small business and relates to a company that I am a distributor for: Unicity Network. They are owned by the same people who own GNC, MetRx, Rexall and Sundown...great products.

My original story was considerably longer and was also published. Because I was limited to 1 page with the Advocate I really had to trim it down. This link may prove to be an interesting read for you.

Tyler's Longer Version

Thanks for sharing that article Ty. Still I'm not clear whether the quote "I was surrounded by weak men, many of whom had drinking problems and cheated on their wives" refers to your fellow umps or the players, though from the context and your other comments here I assume it's your fellow umps in the minors.

On the subject of the supplements, I am familiar with the distributors. However having worked for a manufaturer of the an ingredient for products sold at one of the manufacturers you mention, I would have to say that I have less faith in the quality of this particular ingredient than you have in the products in general.

That is not to say that the final product containing that ingredient is not safe and effective, or that any of the other distributors or products is questionable.

I have worked many years testing products manufactured under the "Good Manufacturing Practices" that are suppose to be subscribed to by all pharmaceutical companies regulated by the FDA. I have also spent short, unrewarding time with one unregulated manufacturer. I can say without a doubt that, IMO, one is taking a significantly greater risk using products whose manufacture is not FDA-regulated.

The FDA is certainly not perfect, but is an historically better protection agianst harmful products than the unregulated market.

Back to your article, I think what you have done by coming out is great. I wish you all the best. I mentioned once that if a gay player for the Phillies ever came out I'd buy my first ticket to one of their games. Perhaps I should expand that to include the first MLB Umpire as well.

Thanks for the link. Do you know if that article ever appeared in the Toronto version of Xtra? I don't recall seeing it myself, but I don't read every issue.