[Ump20]

I have read HHH's Business Of Umpiring theories on other boards. I do not disagree with some of Peter's customer service driven attitudes but I do take exception to pleasing the customer by changing the game. I would much prefer clinics for coaches, inviting league presidents to the annual association dinner as well as other perks that say in effect -- we value your business but you run the league and we'll do the umpiring. If it becomes necessary to explain a rule by all means make yourself available.

I did high school ball on Long Island for six years and moved up to Varsity after three. I saw umpires refuse to officiate certain schools because those coaches gave generally low ratings. One of the top six rated umpires was a 30+ year teacher who didn't belong on a JV field and most umpires knew it. I don't think any of us know about an umpire's ability on the field from umpire bulletin boards. I left basically because I refused to buy into a rating system that was 90% driven by what coaches thought about my umpiring ability. I didn't get to rate their coaching and some of it was pretty abysmal.

I umpire for the money and I know it is important to have guys who give good availablity especially on weekends. I am willing to do Little League, girls softball etc. although I mostly do Connie Mack games once the summer begins. In fact two summers i.e. 1993 and 1994 umpiring was really important as I was out of work on and off those two years. I do not need the money badly enough that I would compromise my integrity as an umpire. You can make good money, keep your assignor happy, and officiate within the rules by taking serious your job as an official and displaying good interpersonal skills. Jim/NY