Where have all the officials gone?

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Ken Krause

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May 7, 2008
3,911
113
Mundelein, IL
If you’ve been thinking lately that it’s a tough time for officials in a number of sports including fastpitch softball, you’d be right. As this infographic from Ohio University demonstrates, the number of officials nationwide is on a steady decline. That’s bad news for everyone involved in youth sports, because even though you may not […]
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Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Its simply getting to the point the pay is not worth the abuse from coaches, parents, players etc.
 
Mar 20, 2014
918
28
Northwest
My DD has umpired since she was 14. The summer between her junior & senior year she became ASA/USA softball certified and umpired all last summer. Made a lot of money and enjoyed it. 18 years old and only was threatened by grown adults twice - once at a rec game and once when she had to throw a coach out of a 12U tournament game. Gives you a whole new perspective when your kid is the umpire instead of the player...
 

Ken Krause

Administrator
Admin
May 7, 2008
3,911
113
Mundelein, IL
My DD has umpired since she was 14. The summer between her junior & senior year she became ASA/USA softball certified and umpired all last summer. Made a lot of money and enjoyed it. 18 years old and only was threatened by grown adults twice - once at a rec game and once when she had to throw a coach out of a 12U tournament game. Gives you a whole new perspective when your kid is the umpire instead of the player...

No doubt. It's amazing how out-of-control otherwise rational human beings can get when it comes to sports contests of any type.

One of the exercises I always recommend for parents is to go watch a game where you have zero rooting interest. You may be appalled at some of the reactions you hear to things you think are no big deal. Who would volunteer to take that type of abuse on a regular basis?

Kudos to your daughter for stepping up, and continuing to do it. Hopefully she has a long and enjoyable career in blue.
 

Ken Krause

Administrator
Admin
May 7, 2008
3,911
113
Mundelein, IL
Its simply getting to the point the pay is not worth the abuse from coaches, parents, players etc.

No doubt. And it seems to be getting worse with each passing year.

To paraphrase Peter Venkman, you don't have to get all dressed up in gear and bend over constantly in 90+ degree heat and 90% humidity to get that kind of abuse. You can get that kind of abuse anywhere.
 
Sep 14, 2011
768
18
Glendale, AZ
The article hit a point that I have encountered personally when attempting to recruit players to become umpires.

The one comment I hear more than any other is: "No way...I've seen all the abuse you guys take from our parents and coaches while I've been playing. I'm not going to do that!"
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Niece did it for a little bit and was basically begged to come back this past year, she had enough.

I went to 1 of her games and was impressed how well she handled herself, equally impressed brother in law with me stayed out of the way.
 

Ken Krause

Administrator
Admin
May 7, 2008
3,911
113
Mundelein, IL
Niece did it for a little bit and was basically begged to come back this past year, she had enough.

I went to 1 of her games and was impressed how well she handled herself, equally impressed brother in law with me stayed out of the way.

That's unfortunate that she had a bad experience and didn't go back. Too bad there aren't more penalties for bad behavior. Maybe tournament directors should hire people whose job it is to monitor the dugouts and bleachers, and get rid of anyone who isn't behaving with a least some level of decency. Kind of like bouncers at a bar, and maybe that size.

I get that sometimes you'll have a disagreement with a call, and might get a bit upset. That's human. But the constant berating and insults that I see make me wonder why anyone comes back. Even if you're mad and can't hold back, make your one statement and let it go.
 
Dec 10, 2015
845
63
Chautauqua County
I think a training program for beginning umps would help a lot. Umps that look like they know what they're doing get very little abuse around here. Part of the training would be handling idiots, eh. League officers also need to help out with their coaches.
 

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