[bkbjones]

I've worked more than one game for a t-shirt and a handshake, along with a "thank you for coming over."

But umpires anywhere, even in NZ and Australia, should receive some recompense. I do it for the love of the game, too...but it would seem that out of respect you should receive some recompense recognizing your time and effort.

I, too, travel. In order to work games in the Seattle area, I travel 30-plus miles minimum one way each Saturday and Sunday to the site where most of our tournament games are played. Don't complain a bit about it...but I wouldn't do it for free.