"Don't like the Blue's call?" or "Do you want to be an umpire!?"

[Dabears17]

True, but a lot of people officiate at games to supplement income. If there is a shortage of HS officials in all sports, I think a lot of people will do what my friend who has over 21 years of coaching experience in softball chose to do. Officiate a sport that keeps you indoors like basketball or volleyball. With girls volleyball in the fall and boys volleyball in the spring there is plenty of work to do, plus club volleyball.

A very good umpire I've known since 2006 switched to volleyball about 3 years ago because he was tired of coaches and with parents poor attitudes. Because the head of officials for his association (HS officials for all sports) begged him, he umpired a few HS games this spring, but only for schools with reputations for being well behaved.

 

[dlsumpntx]

In the past 2 years the initial start up expenses has driven off at least 3 potential umpires I was recruiting.

 

[Dabears17]

Speaks for itself

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[EdLovrich]

One way to get into umpiring for a bit less money, especially since you have a local association that is seeking you out, is check with established officials to see if they are going to be upgrading their gear. I have lost track of the number of masks, shins, bags, indicators, etc. I have donated to new officials.

EDIT: Also, keep track of all of your expenses, you get a direct write-off against your earnings as long as you don't wear those sexy gray slacks for taking the better half out for dinner.

 

[Mike Hurd]

I spend roughly $1,000/year on gear, uniforms, pants, socks, equipment, timers, registration fees, etc, etc. Softball umpiring is REALLY rough on gear and uniforms and you will find if you are regularly umpiring you will be steadily replacing things over time. Also you will upgrade certain things you start out with as you find out things you feel comfortable with.

Umpire clinics are either free (local and rare) or expensive ($100-1000 and still rare) depending on who ius running it - even the cheap ones like the normally good USA Softball Schools will rarely be where you are so add in travel, hotels, etc.

$1000 a year? I might spend $1000 every 5 years total. If I'm unlucky, lol. Take care of my gear and unis and no issues. Heven't bought new mask or shin guards in over 10 years.

 

[Mike Hurd]

I umpire for the money. There, I said it. But, I also love umpiring, being on the field, etc. I also don't umpire as much as I used to but, keep up with all the changes, updates, etc.

 

[Greatdaytobeawildcat]

Here's all the stuff I have, including annual fees (all estimated best I can remember). So if I were starting up today with everything, that's what it cost me - about $1,150 including donated stuff). In third year now, some stuff will need replacement maybe next year (plate shoes are getting beat up). Pants for sure.

Mask -$100
Shin Guards $120
Chest – free (retired ump donation)
Throat guard - $7
Brush – free (board gives us one each year)
Indicator - $7
Board fee - $85
USA fee - $80? (can't remember exactly)
Babe Ruth fee - $85 (combined softball/baseball)
Timer - $10
Ball bags (4) - $40
Field pants $50
Plate pants (2) -$120
USA shirts (2) $60
USA hat - $20
Other hats (3) – free (2 donated from retired ump, 1 free from board)
Shirts (Royal, Powder, Navy, Maroon, Red) – free (4 from retired ump, 1 free from board)
Plate Shoes - $120
Field Shoes $80
Lineup holder – free from board
Water bottle - $10
Protective Cup - $25
Umpire-only underwear - $40
Knee sleeves $40
Jacket - $50
Bag – just use an old duffle
Shoe polish - $10
Portable changing tent (splurge, $40)

edit: forgot undershirts (6ish, blue, black - $75)

 

[eddieq]

I personally am not "in it for the money". A few years ago I tried to umpire as much as possible and made a good deal of money at it (tournaments, league/community games, etc.) but I started getting burned out. I realized that I couldn't umpire enough to make the costs offset reasonably as well as have enough time at home with my family but I also realized that I've been blessed with enough to not have to do it for the money. Now I mostly do the local community, volunteer umpire work (Special Olympics, local veterans fundraisers, etc.), and the occasional "we need some coverage" games. It's much more relaxing for me and I don't feel like I need to "get that extra game in" to cover x expense. I had also noticed that the more I umpire, the more I had thoughts along the lines of, "The xx game fee isn't worth this" - especially when dealing with particularly abusive fans (I'm a dad, an umpire, a fire police officer, and the youngest of 4 - I have thick skin - but it still isn't enjoyable to be abused).

I still have the expenses. Registrations, uniform update (thanks ASA/USA for changing logos, changing names, then updating the logo/shirts four times over 5 years - really appreciate that). I decided to stick with just USA at this time to cut down on the registration costs as I only ever did one or two Pony tournaments a year and the local USSSA assignments has been iffy for me so I stopped signing up with them. Many of my friends who are coaches and umpires keep telling me that I should "sign up for PIAA" but the game schedules don't really make it worth my while there either - I have a day job and most of the games start between 3 and 4.

All of that said, I'm probably about $300 into it this year for registrations, uniform updates, and gear I bought - although that was late last season when I upgraded my gear. My three hour drive to State College for the PA Special Olympics Summer Games with $5 gas was also quite the expense. That reminds me - I have a game I picked up tonight that's 45 minutes away, and my daughter has my car - taking the pickup truck, so with fuel costs, I'm probably paying to umpire tonight.

 

[Dabears17]

Out of town until 8PM Saturday. Got a text last night asking if I had any availability to umpire at a tournament this weekend, since they are desperate for umpires this weekend. Will have to be bases since I have not bought my chest protector yet and I'm not going to buy it in Texas and fly back to California with it. Hopefully I can find the pair of grey umpire pants I bought two years ago.... though I may order one pair of pants today and hope they are shipped to me by Saturday.

Anyone know of a big Sporting Goods store in the Waco, Lubbock, or Austin area that would have umpire pants in stock?

 

[schwabach]

Baseball and softball organizations need to increase penalties for abuse of umpires. In addition to charging individuals with assault, they need to penalize teams for the actions of coaches and/or parents.

There was an incident in New Jersey very recently where a youth baseball umpire had his jaw broken by an aggrieved coach. The softball organization is permanently suspended from the U.S. Amateur Baseball League and, presumably, the coach will be charged with assault.

Youth baseball coach breaks 72-year-old umpire's jaw with 'sucker punch' during tournament in New Jersey

The incident took place at a tournament in Branchburg, N.J. earlier this month

www.cbssports.com