Pay at plate math

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Aug 3, 2019
156
28
Looks like USSSA in PA/NJ really pushing going to pay at plate.

As an example of the math:

Last year, it cost $650 to enter states at 12u.

This year it’s $532 to enter plus $60 pay at plate.

With 3 pool games plus at least 1 bracket game that’s an additional $240 which equals $772 total. An increase of 19% YoY.

If you win once on Sunday, that’s $300 pay at plate for a total of $832. An increase of 28% YoY.

If you win twice on Sunday, that’s $360 pay at plate for a total of $892. An increase of 37% YoY.

So pay at the plate has resulted in an increase of 19-37% for total cost. Plus, coaches now need to be sure to have cash on hand.

A few questions:

**Do umpires prefer this structure? I’m thinking yes?

**Is this just a clever way for TDs to raise the price without it appearing obvious?

When this was first proposed it was marketed as a way to simplify things—which is great. But where is the extra 19-37% going?

Prices go up, for umpires, fields, etc—but an avg jump of 25% in one year feels like a lot. Can’t help but think folks at USSSA are reaping the financial benefit of all this simplicity.
 

inumpire

Observer, but has an opinion
Oct 31, 2014
277
43
There are a couple things that come in to play here.
The biggest one being the TD‘s are being pressed by accountants to pay the umpires in the form of a check. The umpires don’t like that, because they have to claim it on their taxes, and they don’t want to. The TD don’t like it because of a number of reason, too many to get in to on here, but think payroll taxes etc, and other IRS issues. Not to mention if they take in more money to accommodate the raise in fees etc, it is more income they have to report. More taxes they have to pay.
So if they do a pay at the plate, then they avoid a lot of these issues. But in your case it sounds like the TD are pushing it all right in the teams lap to cover all their expenses. The only thing it simplifies is the amount of money they make and have less work to do it, because the teams will have to take care of it.
Here is the bottom line in MHO, as long as teams continue to be taken advantage of in this manner they will continue to treat you like this. Play somewhere else!! I am sure there are other options.
 
Jun 20, 2015
848
93
at least around here in Ohio the only tourneys that do the pay at the plate are the smaller, usually one day events.

The one thing it does do, is allow is teams that have no chance of playing late on Sunday, the event is cheaper for them. Think 3 or 4GG versus 6-7games for winners.

Most we have paid is, i think, $200 for tourney and then $25 per game for the 6 games to win the tourney. it was a 2 day event.
 
Dec 6, 2019
382
63
There are a couple things that come in to play here.
The biggest one being the TD‘s are being pressed by accountants to pay the umpires in the form of a check. The umpires don’t like that, because they have to claim it on their taxes, and they don’t want to. The TD don’t like it because of a number of reason, too many to get in to on here, but think payroll taxes etc, and other IRS issues. Not to mention if they take in more money to accommodate the raise in fees etc, it is more income they have to report. More taxes they have to pay.
So if they do a pay at the plate, then they avoid a lot of these issues. But in your case it sounds like the TD are pushing it all right in the teams lap to cover all their expenses. The only thing it simplifies is the amount of money they make and have less work to do it, because the teams will have to take care of it.
Here is the bottom line in MHO, as long as teams continue to be taken advantage of in this manner they will continue to treat you like this. Play somewhere else!! I am sure there are other options.
Legitimate tax-exempt organizations are not going to put their tax-exempt status in jeopardy by aiding in the circumvention of IRS reporting rules, just to help an umpire avoid a 1099.
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
Legitimate tax-exempt organizations are not going to put their tax-exempt status in jeopardy by aiding in the circumvention of IRS reporting rules, just to help an umpire avoid a 1099.
Right!....Umpires should still get a 1099 for all the cash games they did from their assigning organization.
 

inumpire

Observer, but has an opinion
Oct 31, 2014
277
43
Right!....Umpires should still get a 1099 for all the cash games they did from their assigning organization.
I have been umpiring for 29 years, and have worked so many tournaments I couldn’t keep track of them, if I wanted to. And have never been sent a 1099. Even by ones who pay by check. And yes I have made more than $600 from a single tournament director.

And for those of you who are naive enough to think that all tournament directors are;
A. A legitimate tax exempt business.
B. Operate within all the tax laws, state or federal.

You are sadly mistaken. The IRS will eventually catch up to them. They are moving too much money around.
 

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