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Originally Posted by RichMSN
Those who talk like the OP tend to forget the basic economic principle of supply and demand.
At the amateur level, despite the "great pay," there is a great shortage of officials across all sports. If there wasn't a short supply, those who simply "draw breath" wouldn't get to work or would work less games. In good associations, top umpires work the top games. In places where officials contract directly with schools or league commissioners, it becomes a "fill the spot" kind of game and anyone can work just about any game.
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Not necessarily true.
We could start an entire thread on the reason for shortages of umpires at the amateur level.
Depending upon where you live some Umpire Associations are as Political as Washington DC
At one point in my life I inquired about umpiring at the Collegiate level until I spoke to a friend of mine who was in a Collegiate Association (ECAC). He travels "all over God's creation" to do games as his goal is to get to a World Series.
The Problem - The word NO is not in your vocabulary if you want to advance.
Therefore, for the most part the so called "top games" are not necessarily given to the "top officials" but to the "good ole boys" especailly to those who are ALWAYS available.
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I work in an amateur adult league where we get $70 for a 9-inning wood bat league. I am also the assignor. I've talked to teams about the game fee, which I (as an umpire) would like to see increase at least $10, especially since single college games are paying $90 to $100. A prevailing comment is that "we wouldn't mind paying YOU the extra money, but there are guys who don't deserve (really) the money they get now."
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I would take comments from members of an "adult mens league" with a grain of salt. They would "wine" no matter who was umpiring. The reason for the so called "high" Fee in mens adult league games is because for the most part no one would umpire these types of games if it wasn't for the FEE. The contsant "crap" that goes on in these type games is also a distraction.
Case and Point: My partner and I umpired an adult league men's league semi final game. Close game. R1 trys for third ball from out field gets by F5 and gets "stuck" in the fence. I call TIME as soon as I see the ball "stuck" and award R1 home.
Coach goes balistic saying "how can you give them a "cheap" run etc etc.
Therefore, as mentioned take the comments from a mens adult league with a grain of salt. They are "lucky" to have umpires to begin with.
Pete Booth