The Decline of Umpiring

[Nimrod]

One reason for umpire shortages is the growing number of sporting events that require officials. Youth sports have exploded over the past couple of decades or longer, with more and more opportunities for girls in particular to play youth sports. The SEC didn't sanction softball until 1997. You didn't have many college players from the South until the past 25 years. Look at a large high school and count all the sports teams they have including JV and 9th grade teams. There are more youth sporting events going on now than most people imagine.

Also, officials have choices about what sport to officiate. In football, while you have to take a little abuse, you're not as close to the fans as you are in baseball/softball. I have a friend who does only football now because he can't tolerate baseball fans. And it used to be primarily three sports - football, basketball, softball/baseball. (I guess that's four sports.) Now, you've got lacrosse, flag football, I could go on and on.

Also, probably not fair to compare umpiring to other stressful professions because umpiring is a side job. If it were a full-time job with benefits, you might not have such a shortage. But it's relatively low pay job that is often a labor of love. And when the love is taken out of the equation, what's left? And there is now more competition for part-time work, like Uber and Door Dash, or working remotely doing various things where you're more likely to be thanked than yelled at.

 

[SESwildfire]

So i read bits and pieces of this post and debated commenting or not. This past year I decided to volunteer to ump for USA tournaments, and our local city league. Having been a FP coach for a decade, it was an easy transition rules wise. Here is what I learned from just one year behind the plate.

1. no matter what call you make one side will be pissy
2. working the slot makes it hard to judge outside strikes. i prefer to work straight up and eat a few balls. i have also used this knowledge to improve my pitch calling noting where the umpire sets up.
3. I hear every little comment behind the plate. gets real old real fast.
4. just because your catcher doesnt move their mitt does not mean it was a strike. it amazes me how many catchers set up in a location that their own coach is clueless about. Example setting up outside for in an inside pitch.
5. i will call the corners if you hit the corners. i dont know how many times i told a coach that.
6. Just because a changeup looks pretty does not mean it crossed the plate in the strike zone.
7. know the actual rules before appealing.
8. we all make mistakes plain and simple, going nuts on a ump in rec league is just flat out stupid. Had a coach put a female field who was only 17 in tears. I promise i will be less than cordial when/if we ever meet again.

The one thing i am starting to notice from a coaching perspective is the lack of strikes being called at belt high. Saying she missed high. Just baffles me how that is NOT a strike. I would post video but it wont do anyone any good. When your pitchers avg 2-3 walks a tournament and suddenly you are seeing 6-7 per game it really makes you wonder. At young ages umps are opening up the strike zone but then tightening it up when pitchers are actually skilled enough to hit corners. That has always bothered me, at this age you throw down the middle and the ball is going for a ride. So our pitch calling is looking for grounders/popups and mis hits vs K's. I see both sides of the arguments, but in general i dont see the umpiring getting better regardless of how far we travel.

 

[Strike2]

All of these Hitten Kittens' sunday friendlies with bad umps mean absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things. A bad ump never held a kid back from getting better at the game WHICH IS THE PURPOSE. In the games that matter, usually in the summer and for the big orgs, umpires will be better trained and more competent. At least that is my observation.

While it is true that high-dollar tournaments can afford the best umpires, I have all kinds of problems with the idea that "big org" summer games are the only ones that matter. I'm certain that the "Hitten Kittens" would also disagree. The condescension that some carry about "lower levels" never ceases to amaze. It even appears to extend to college ball where, if you're not P5, you're falling short. At the youth association level, it's exactly the reason that Rec exists as little more than a cash cow, if it exists at all.

If we're really talking about the "grand scheme", NONE of this matters much. Hopefully, it's fun and memorable, but it's ALL short-term "what we did in HS and college" stuff. Even most of those talented kids who play during the summer for the "big orgs" with the good umpires won't play through four years of college ball. Many of those who manage to do so emerge from school injured and under-equipped for the world that confronts them. My direct and first-hand observation.

 

[El Oso]

The one thing i am starting to notice from a coaching perspective is the lack of strikes being called at belt high.

Agree. Umpires shouldn't have "their" strike zone. The strike zone is the zone in the book. Nothing more nothing less. You don't give the 1b the call when she is late receiving the ball so why would you give a ball to a batter when it crosses at their belt? Umpires shouldn't think they know what should be called better than the people who wrote the book. That's just arrogance.

 

[Strike2]

My DD is currently a senior in college. I really don't want to miss anything while she is still involved. However, after she graduates, I'm considering options for a part time gig. I love softball and thought getting back into the sport as a umpire would be one way to enjoy the sport, share my knowledge of the game, and make some money. But I will be honest, before I sign up, I will weigh my options. A friend has offered me a part time job making $17/hour and essentially making my own schedule. I would be working mostly by myself doing physical labor. By comparison, I could be umpiring and dealing with all the parent BS that I have seen personally the last few years. I will be honest, unless the money is decent, I really don't think I want any part of that any more. I will still look into it when the time comes, but if you are asking why I am losing interest in an umpiring career. Parents... 100%.

Approximately 12 years ago I was asked to fill in as a ref in a 10u soccer game. No, I was not trained. I was a coach and didn't have a game that night, so the league president asked if I would help out. I accepted. Throughout the entire first half, a parent from the one team was completely abusive to myself and the other ref for the game. Just constant chatter. Again, this is 10u soccer... During half time I walked over to the gentleman, dropped my whistle at his feet, and stated "you can ref the second half", and walked away from him. When it was time for the 2nd half to begin, I noticed he hadn't moved, so I walked back over to him, picked up my whistle and stated "that's exactly what I expected".

I'm in a similar place. DD in college, and I still like the idea of weekend tournaments. Umpire pay does seem to be going up, but the potential for hassle remains high. It's not just parents, but also coaches. I can't say that I've seen THAT many problems past 12U, but the ones I have seen could easily make one question their life choices. Add in some summer heat, and the "fun" meter can easily get red-lined.

Don't compare soccer to softball...that's more like basketball. Thank GOD my kids didn't play that game, but I did go and watch the kids of friends play, and people who are normally pretty calm and reserved turn into screaming idiots on a soccer field sideline. It even seems accepted. In softball, a younger umpire really stands out, and I've never seen anyone jump on a kid for a call, but I've seen adults scream at teenage refs throughout a soccer match.

 

[El Oso]

I'm in a similar place. DD in college, and I still like the idea of weekend tournaments. Umpire pay does seem to be going up, but the potential for hassle remains high. It's not just parents, but also coaches. I can't say that I've seen THAT many problems past 12U, but the ones I have seen could easily make one question their life choices. Add in some summer heat, and the "fun" meter can easily get red-lined.

Don't compare soccer to softball...that's more like basketball. Thank GOD my kids didn't play that game, but I did go and watch the kids of friends play, and people who are normally pretty calm and reserved turn into screaming idiots on a soccer field sideline. It even seems accepted. In softball, a younger umpire really stands out, and I've never seen anyone jump on a kid for a call, but I've seen adults scream at teenage refs throughout a soccer match.

Honestly this narrative of "everyone yelling at umps is making them quit" is bogus IMO. i know quite a few umps and none of them, zero, have told me that they get hassled all the time, much less to the point where they want to quit. On the contrary, they all tell me they really enjoy umpiring. To a man.

 

[Rolling Hard]

I am surprised that there is not more 18 to 25 year old umpires. In So Cal an ump makes minimum $50 per 1:20 DD game. Start at 8:00 am and finish at 5:00 (6 games). $300 tax free cash (mostly). That's pretty good money. Beat the crap out of working at Starbucks.

 

[FP26]

I'm in a similar place. DD in college, and I still like the idea of weekend tournaments. Umpire pay does seem to be going up, but the potential for hassle remains high. It's not just parents, but also coaches. I can't say that I've seen THAT many problems past 12U, but the ones I have seen could easily make one question their life choices. Add in some summer heat, and the "fun" meter can easily get red-lined.

Don't compare soccer to softball...that's more like basketball. Thank GOD my kids didn't play that game, but I did go and watch the kids of friends play, and people who are normally pretty calm and reserved turn into screaming idiots on a soccer field sideline. It even seems accepted. In softball, a younger umpire really stands out, and I've never seen anyone jump on a kid for a call, but I've seen adults scream at teenage refs throughout a soccer match.

I agree, some coaches can be difficult to deal with as well. In regards to parents, the worst I ever encountered were at the high school level. I typically stood far away from the other parents because I was frankly embarrassed to be seen with them. Deplorable behavior.

 

[FP26]

Honestly this narrative of "everyone yelling at umps is making them quit" is bogus IMO. i know quite a few umps and none of them, zero, have told me that they get hassled all the time, much less to the point where they want to quit. On the contrary, they all tell me they really enjoy umpiring. To a man.

I have three close friends that walked away from umpiring/ref'ing in the past 2 or 3 years. Each cited dealing with parents as one of their biggest issues. I know 6 or 7 coaches locally that walked away from various sports recently for the same reason. Everyone has their limit regarding what they are willing to put up with for the pay. In some cases it gets to the point that the pay is no longer worth it. I'm thrilled to hear that the umps are happy in your area. Hopefully that trend continues.

 

[Cougars]

I am surprised that there is not more 18 to 25 year old umpires. In So Cal an ump makes minimum $50 per 1:20 DD game. Start at 8:00 am and finish at 5:00 (6 games). $300 tax free cash (mostly). That's pretty good money. Beat the crap out of working at Starbucks.

My son (19 year old) umps local travel games here in Illinois. He makes pretty good money for a summer job. The issue, in terms of an overall ump shortage, is he's away at school Aug-May. So he can't do fall games, or april/early may games. I suppose he could figure out how to do fall games in Arizona, but between classes and not having a car, would be tricky.