[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser


I think you're wrong. I think JV officials should be paid in such a manner that encourages them to become good enough to work varsity games. In other words, if you're getting $58 for varsity, I'd pay about $35 for JV, both single and 2-man. I'd charge the schools more as an association, but that money wouldn't go to the umpire -- it would go into the association.

The goal should be to get schools to hire 2 officials, not make it attractive for the officials to go out and work 1-man.

Rich in theory I agree with you but not in reality. Ultimately it depends upon where you live and the size of the school budgets.

If you start "Low-balling" JV umpires you will lose them to other Youth Organizations who pay for umpires. Using your example; why should I take a $35.00 FEE, give up vacation days at work (School games start at around the 4-4:30 range) when I can work a Babe-Ruth game after work, not loose any vacation/personal days for the same amount.

Also, at least from my experience school ball is more about politics than who is really qualified.

In Summary I agree with your philosophy but depending upon where you live it will not work.

Here's how the assignments are in my area:

Varsity - 2 person crews all the time
JV, Feshman, Modified - Fill in as needed. In other words if possible assign 2 person crews but the reality is there simply isn't enough umpires to go around so the association has to make it "somewhat attractive" to umpire the lower levels. Cutting the FEES or asking the Schools to "foot the bill" is NOT the answer. School Budgets are "Locked in" for the most part. If the school budgets do need to be cut athletics is one of the first places they go unless it's profitable like say Texas HS Football.

Pete Booth



[Edited by PeteBooth on Mar 7th, 2006 at 10:40 AM]