[greymule]

Yep. I had it made in the shade for a few years in ECAC. Two or three doubleheaders a week, good teams, fast games, and $140 for sometimes less than three hours' work. Even did a regional in 2007. But before the 2008 season, my assigner retired, and another ump warned me that the new guy assigns himself first, and then his buddies, and spreads whatever is left (usually lousy teams far away) over the rest of his list. I think I had only four dates in 2008.

I had only one date with a team I had umpired regularly the year before. It was toward the end of the season, and I was interested that the coach asked me, "Where have you been all year? The guys they've been sending us are absolutely horrible—that is, when they show up."

In fact, on one occasion that spring, I went to the field simply to watch, and one of the assigned ("preferred") guys wasn't there 15 minutes before game time, so I drove home, suited up, and came back and did the game.

But it's all moot now. I'm enjoying life here in Alabama.