Scrimmage Etiquette

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Slappers

Don't like labels
Sep 13, 2013
417
0
Dumfries, VA
Not sure etiquette is the right word but it is my feeling that scrimmages should have umpires. I get the substituting whenever and not keeping score but I would at least want the game called correctly.

What do you all think? And is $50 a game decent to pay them?
 
Jul 26, 2010
3,567
0
There's a huge variety of ways to do scrimmages. Umpires is always better. Paying them the same rate as whatever alphabet soup org you get them from is fair.

Most scrimmages I've participated in as a coach usually involve 3-4 innings of straight play and then move to scenario play (runner on X base or X bases to practice particular plays, ect).

-W
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
Not sure etiquette is the right word but it is my feeling that scrimmages should have umpires. I get the substituting whenever and not keeping score but I would at least want the game called correctly.

What do you all think? And is $50 a game decent to pay them?

Scrimmages always seem to go better with umpires. Part of scrimmaging is understanding how various rules work/how game is called/etc, etc. Plus decent balls/strikes makes the scrimmage more valuable and helps keep the occasional REALLY competitive coach/parent in check (scrimmage or not).

Pay them going local tournament rate + a little extra if you just get a Plate Umpire.
 

Slappers

Don't like labels
Sep 13, 2013
417
0
Dumfries, VA
I have no idea what the rate is or where to even go to find umpires..Guess I could contact the tournament director of my region to find some?
 
Jul 26, 2010
3,567
0
I have no idea what the rate is or where to even go to find umpires..Guess I could contact the tournament director of my region to find some?

That would be a good place to start. You can also contact your regional ASA/USSA/PGF office.

-W
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
Last time I paide an ump for a scrimmage it was $42 or $45. That was over 2 years ago, so maybe it's closer to $50 now.

As far as etiquette, it's probably a good idea to discuss with the other coach the expectations. People have assumptions about how a scrimmage should be played and then get mad if the other team has a different agenda. An example would be that one team wants just one umpire in order to save money. The other team can't believe Team A is that cheap and complains of missed calls. But Team A doesn't care if there's a missed call at second, just wants live work for hitters and pitchers.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
Last time I paide an ump for a scrimmage it was $42 or $45. That was over 2 years ago, so maybe it's closer to $50 now.

As far as etiquette, it's probably a good idea to discuss with the other coach the expectations. People have assumptions about how a scrimmage should be played and then get mad if the other team has a different agenda. An example would be that one team wants just one umpire in order to save money. The other team can't believe Team A is that cheap and complains of missed calls. But Team A doesn't care if there's a missed call at second, just wants live work for hitters and pitchers.

I agree with this. We also attempt to work on certain situations. We may have each team start an inning with the bases loaded, just as an example. Or we will play around with the international tie breaker. We always use at least one umpire and pay whatever he/she makes during their other games.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
Don't forget to tell the parents. There are always a few that keep score no matter how the game is played.
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
Ive umped scrimmages about a dozen times this year for a local 12u and 10u org. Each team gave me $20 ($40 a game)
But it was a straight game with no records on the line. There were no scenarios after a certain inning.
 

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