[PeteBooth]

In a recent thread, the poster asked what are the differencies between FED and LL. That thread turned out to be mostly a discussion concerning Volunteer Umpires vs. Paid Umpires so I thought I would keep the ball rolling and make that subject it's own centerpiece

ASSUMPTION: Whether you get paid or Volunteer, one has a desire and "loves" to umpire. I'm going to stay away from the "novice" umpire during this discussion. Basically your "novice" umpire is an umpire who is needed, but only wants to give 1 maybe 2 games a week to their local LL organization and once their kids are finsihed with the program one will no longer see this person.

Here's my opinion on paid vs. Volunteer.

1. FEES. ( I know some Blues are in it for the money only), but generally speaking it's easier on the home front if:

A. You take your wife, significant other, girlfriend etc.
out to dinner on the game FEE you just earned vs. coming home from a long day at the field and say "hey hun I'm tired what's for dinner" Also, I don't know about you but I receive ONE HS check at the end of the season and I use that to:

1. Upgrade my equipment and
2. Take the family on a nice vacation

2. Time consuming: If you take umpiring serious and love to umpire it takes time and effort which translates into 1. Training (possibly attending a clinic), 2. umpiring many games and 3. attending meetings. Again very difficult to explain to the wife and kids when it's for FREE.

3. Cost of equipment. For all those who answered saying they look professional and have your own equipment, it's my gut that you also either umpire HS or other leagues that do pay (so you can afford it)

4. Human Nature - I started out at LL myself and umpired many games and then you learn that so and so is getting paid $40-$50 bucks a game and you say to your self "Self I can do that" so it's human nature to try and advance and if there are other leagues that pay it's really hard to keep a good solid crop of Volunteers together.

Unless you are single and on your own, umpiring in addition to being something we love is also a family committment. When the family shares in your success, IMO it's much easier to take a game assignment.

So to me getting paid vs. Volunteer isn't so much as demeaning those who volunteer but more of a practicality issue. GOOD umpire equipment (which includes shirts / pants and accessories) costs money and unless you are well to do, one cannot afford it.

Also, when one is talking about Volunteer Umpires it's IMO a Organization to organization type analysis, meaning some LL associations have a good UIC who provides training and guidance whereas some organizations simply put equipment on home plate and let the teams fend for themselves .

What are your opinions?

Pete Booth