[dash_riprock]

I am a member of the same association as Rags (the original poster on this thread). Rags is leading a movement to bring about much needed change to our organization. It will be difficult to displace the "old guard." Here is what we are up against.

1. All high school/middle school officiating assignments are done by the State Public High School Association, which knows nothing about umpiring.

2. In order to be state certified, new candidates must attend a series of rules classes and pass the FED written exam (closed-book), and pass a mechanics "test," which consists of an inning or two on the field and behind the plate at a varsity pre-season scrimmage. It is near impossible to fail the mechanics test. No consideration is given to prior umpiring experience at any level.

3. After candidates become state certified, there are two requirements to maintain the certification: 1) Umpires must pass the annual FED rules test with a grade of at least 80%. The test is given out in advance, and then we have a "test session" at a beer hall, where we go around the room, each umpire answering 1 or 2 questions. The correct answers are given by our interpreter if the umpire gets it wrong (they often do). Most umpires show up with blank answer sheets and rule books that have never been opened. Everyone scores 100%, unless they become too drunk to properly use a pencil. This session costs $5, which includes all the beer you can drink (I have no problem with this policy!). 2) At least once every three years, umpires must attend the annual mechanics "clinic." The clinic lasts about three hours, and consists of seeing 10-15 pitches from a pitching machine, with critique from varsity instructors (most of the time you are standing around watching others). The cost of the clinic is $15, and some members bit¢h about the hardship it imposes on them. No other training is offered by the association.

4. You must spend a minimum of two years at each level, starting with middle school then JV, before there is any chance of moving up to varsity. There is no provision for downward movement. As a result, movement to the varsity level is dictated by attrition - opportunities for advancement to the varsity level only occur if an umpire dies, retires, or moves away.

5. Movement to the next level, (including the selection of regional and state playoff umpires), is based SOLELY on coaches ratings. Each coach must rate each umpire in every game. I don't have to tell you how much the coaches know about umpiring. Umpires have been given poor ratings for not going out on a fly ball with men on base. Schmoozing with the coaches often affects ratings as much as, or more than, ability. As a result, there are "top 10" playoff umpires who are absolutely brutal.

6. There is outstanding training available locally given by another private (non-school) association. At least two two-man and one 3-man clinics, as well as cage work clinics, are available each year. These are generally 3-day clinics, and include NCAA D-1 playoff and CWS clinicians. By my estimate, about 15% of the association's umpires avail themselves of this training.

7. There are 20+ year varsity umpires who have never had any formal training, and who receive no recurrent training other than the once-every-three-years clinic.

8. Most of the associations umpires who also work college games (JUCO and/or NCAA) are at the JV level.

So you think you have it bad?