[senior]

I believe it depends on your specific situation. Those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to choose freely probably go more toward the "paid" grouping. However, some of us also like to umpire well enough to do it gratis.

Our local Little League is fortunate enough to have some of the area's best umpires in their ranks. All of these folks volunteer their time and efforts to benefit those teams and players involved when doing Little League games.

These same folks can be seen doing AAU, Legion, Cal Ripken, High School, and College games in which they receive pay. When asked why they volunteer some of their efforts, they will tell you that they enjoy umpiring enough to spread their talents wherever they can be utilized. If they are recruited to do "paid" games, fine, but they will also work the Little League games as volunteers.

I probably worked sixty (seventy-five including Districts and Sectionals) Little League games this past season for water, All-Sport, and Burgers. I also worked sixteen High School games, and Twenty AAU games for pay. I do no better or worse in either the paid or unpaid games. I obviously will accept money for my efforts when offerred, but I enjoy umpiring enough to do it without compensation.


Senior