I was wondering whether any states have an umpire's
classification or his rating tied to his game pay?
In Alabama,you start out as a class 1,and can
subsequently test to move up in classification. I have
been told that within three years, there will be a
different pay scale for each class.
As I understand it,this is not a Federation endeavor,
but one from the state of Alabama.

We have a rating system in NC based on experience, test scores, meeting attendance, etc. but it is not tied to pay in any way...

Lawrence

Basketball and football does
 

In MS, in basketball and football there are three ratings.
Certified is the highest level and the pay is as much as $10-15 per game difference.

You move up with experience, test scores, and meetings attendance.

In baseball (sigh) there is no difference. We have asked for it but they say there is such a shortage of officials that it would not work.

Thanks
David

From what I understand,the state is doing this because
of the lack of class two and three umpires.To work a
state finals game,you must be a class three,and have
attended a state-sponsored camp or clinic.
With a perceived shortage of class three umpires,the
state continues to assign the same bunch of umpires to the
finals repeatedly.
Plus,there is the added bonus of having supposedly
better-educated umpires across the state.

umpduck,
I call in Bama also. This will be my 3rd year of school ball and will test for class 2 in April. I think there might be some cliques(sp) involved with the same people being assigned each year.
As a class 1 last year I didn't expect to receive any playoff games, but we did have one class 1 get a 1st round game. He had only been to a district camp and I think he must have slept though the entire camp.
I had games with him two different times. The 1st time while in the "A" position with no runners, he was standing in FAIR territory the entire game. That was in his 1st year. This past year I worked a game with him and his "B" and "C" positions were practically in the same location. He was standing directly behind the pitcher.
Just saying that the good ole boy system is still in place. Even though he had not been umpiring but 2 years, he was a coach until he was fired and started umpiring. Won't have to worry about him getting any games this year as he is back to coaching and teaching.

Hmmmm,
 

From Dave Yeast's "Top Ten Suggestions On Being A Successful Umpire":

#8: Never be jealous of a good break that another umpire may get.

Tee

Re: Hmmmm,
 

Not jealous, more Pi$$ed off. And I don't consider it a good break, but then it's another "guess you had to be there".