[Andy]

Well, I live in a major metropolitan area.

Even though the metro area is very spread out, our assignors do their best to keep us close.

For HS ball, we have divided the metro area into six different parts and try to assign umpires either in the area they live and/or work or an adjacent area. For me, most trips from work are between 2-20 miles. We receive a $7.00 mileage fee for any game in the metro area. There are a few schools we cover about 30 miles outside the metro area that pay mileage at a certain amount per mile. I don't remember the exact amount, but it works out to more than the $7.00.

I also umpire in a statewide JC league, most of the schools are in the same metro area that I live, the closest school is about 5 miles from home, the farthest is about 50 miles away. These games are always doubleheaders, so I don't worry about the long trips too much.

For ASA and other tournament ball, there are facilities all over the valley, anywhere from 2 miles to 50 miles away. If I have to go more than about 20 -25 miles, I ask for more than 2 games that day to make it worth the drive.

I have attended the occasional tournaments outside the area, some as close as 100 miles away, some as far as 600 miles away. Sometimes I will take my family or my wife and make a mini-vacation out of it.