[Robmoz]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

To add my perspective;

I agree with ^^^^. It's a decision each assignor/coordinator needs to make to gain, improve, and/or keep staff. Not all "ball" is the same, and plays into it as well. And the concept of "loyalty" plays into it as well, and not everyone sees things the same way.

I have, over the years, needed to discourage umpires from working certain "ball", because I considered it detrimental to their development as umpires. Yes, independent contractors are free to accept whatever they wish; at the same time, assignors are free to assign or not assign by whatever standards they wish to apply.

Personally, I would let someone know up front what they might be doing that might affect future scheduling. Working BETTER ball; not a problem. Working junk ball that helps foster bad habits; yes, have said so, and have dealt with accordingly.

Why would you think bad habits would be fostered working lower skilled games (as you call it "junk ball")? You should be encouraging your umpires development and that usually comes with experience IMO; regardless of the level of ball they work. Some might say that working lower skill level games could actually foster good habits due to the many unusual things you may experience in such games. Bad habits come from being lazy most likely and not the quality of games being called...or worse, being snobby and thinking you should only work elite level games. Sure, game selection would be nice to only get the best action but even those games have their share of junk ball activities. Give your umpires guidance and encourage them to always bring their "A" game to EVERY contest and work with those that need constructive criticism. Too often I see assignors avoid scheduling certain leagues or geo areas because they labeled them as "junk ball" and then also wanna restrict their umpires from working them as well. There is a shortage of officials, not just warm bodies but quality officials as well. I say let them work wherever and whenever they can to improve their overall skills.