What are my options

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

This concepts of booking games directly thorough the schools, and any freelance umpiring sans association, are totally foreign to me. I would love to live in an area that allows that, because there would be much less politics involved in assignments.

Maybe yes, maybe no.

I know of several who work this way and some of their experiences differ from what you suppose.

Some have found that dealing with AD's and coaches to get games involve even more politics and good ol' boy networking than dealing with assigners. Those new to the area had even more difficulty breaking in.

Others have told me that AD's and coaches know little about what makes a good umpire and a lot more about who works "their" way. One was permanently banned from a school after a game ending call that kept the home team from the play-offs.

That said, I also know that Rich Fronheiser works this way and seems to enjoy it.