[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

Howdy,

I'll give it a shot from my experience.

• Do you get paid for games and if so, how much?

• 6
  
  Yes, I got paid quite a bit for NFHS but ASA championships are relatively low paying if you are just looking that the game fee itself.
  
  

  Are games 2, 3, or 4 person umpire mechanics?

  In my experience they are normally 2 in the early rounds and some higher level tourneys move to 3 for the big games.
  
  

  Are there mileage reimbursements for umpires who travel long distances?
  

  NFHS - Yes
  ASA - sometimes - some tournaments I have gotten some mileage or travel pay but it is fairly rare.
  
  

  If you're going to do a weekend tournament, are there hotel/meal allowances?

  Many regular tournaments I get that. Nationals or other big tournaments - if you are not local, you will usually get that.
  
  

  If you are doing a national tournament and are coming from a different state, are airline fares included?

  Sometimes - there are different classifications of umpires and depending your classification your fare will be paid by your association, or you, or the host.
  
  

  I assume the strictest of dress codes are in place, including no "silver pants" and western cut pockets mandatory so no one can see the inner lining of your pockets .
  If there are no re-imbursable expenses [other than perhaps a game fee] does that mean that only financially independent people are likely to be officiating the games [especially a higher state or national levels]?

  That is not my experience -no. In fact few umpires I know, least of all me, are of that classification.
  
  

  If you work a state or national tournament do you make money or lose money?

  State and National tournaments are not the same at all. You will usually get paid less at a ASA National than a local metro or state tourney.
  I would classify nationals a losing money deal but the experience is still awesome.
  
  NFHS - you make money and good money.
  
  

  What path does the rec league umpire take to get to state/national level tournaments?

You probably need to get in the travel ball association and start working Travel ball tournaments. Contact the UIC.

Essentially, your weekly tournies and leagues are your money makers. You wont make money and probably will spend much more than you do make at Nationals - but it is a blast.

Those are my answers as far as I know.