[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by spots101

For the past 3 years I have been scheduling games for a local Pony League in my area (just on my own, no association). Two years ago it became apparent that we needed to go with all "patched" or experienced umpires. Prior to that I had, on occasion, used high school kids and older so that they could get some experience. Unfortunately however, it appeared that the parents wanted a perfect game called every time by the umps so that was the reason for the change.
Yesterday I just received a call from the organizer of the Bronco League (the one right below Pony). He is tired of hearing (and seeing) the parents complain and that league wants to use patched umpires as well.
The reason why I am posting this is to see what other situations umpires have experienced with parents and have you seen the same change (experienced umps doing lower level games) in your community as well.
If we want to see more umps come up through the ranks they need to start somewhere. But the overzealous parents seem to be keeping that from happening because they want to live out their baseball fantasies through their kids.

"Certified" Umpires are costly. If you start getting certified umps at the low levels, the FEES can really add up,especially if you have older divisions as well within your program.

There's one "quick fix" which some organizations are FINALLY going to and that is A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY Unfortunately, it has come to this. If a parent can't keep their mouth shut it's SEE YA HAVE A NICE DAY -PERIOD. Use the California 3 Strike Rule. If a parent(s) can't get the message and it's their third time - BAN FROM THE LEAGUE.

You can't be NICE anymore because people take advantage. Once people GET THE MESSAGE, things will calm down.

IMO, no need to spend a lot of money at the lower divisions where many a score is lopsided anyway.

Pete Booth