Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy
I had heard that there was going to be a $5 increase in the umpire game fees for national tournaments starting in 2009...is that true?
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Sort of. Fast pitch fees were $18 for JO (except Gold), $20 for Gold and Adult (except Mens' Major), and $23 for Men's Major. Starting in 2009, all are now a minimum of $25.
Slow pitch game fees are unchanged. Adult is $20, JO is $16.
UIC's and National Office Reps increase from $50 a day to $100, and ***'t. UIC's increase from $25 to $50.
In the big picture, the budget had to be balanced, and either fees had to increase, or services cut (or both). The teams were raised as much as anyone thought was doable (33%, from $6 to $8), and that wouldn't cover the deficit. Umpires were raised 20%, from $15 to $18; that is the portion that goes to OKC. I figure that $3 increase is between a half inning and a full inning of work, so I had no problem accepting that umpires should also share in the process of keeping ASA fiscally sound.
The two measures combined came close, but short of balancing the proposed budget. The remainder is expected to come from increased ACE coaches participation, as ASA mandates certified coaches in championship play.
The proposals to increase the umpire and UIC fees were doomed, IMO; increases are approved (as noted above) effective 2009, and the proposed increases were too much, too soon ($30 for fast pitch umpires, $150 for UIC and National Office Rep, and $100 for ***'t. UIC).
Also, there won't be fewer umpires at National Tournaments; there will be fewer that ASA will be paying for their travel. There was no projection how much money that would save, but it also seems fiscally responsible to reduce the expenditures where possible, without damaging the program. The program continues to use At-Large umpires from outside the host association, it simply reduces the minimum mandated to receive National reimbursement. It leaves open the standard process of swapping slots to outside associations, to allow the umpires from any area to participate.
Just my take on these issues. There were hard choices to be made, and no one knew what services might be lost or reduced if ASA didn't raise the fees.