Umpire Burnout

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by JeremyByrd

Pete,
Agree on the timeliness. I live in an area that runs AAU/USSSA and their own tournaments beginning in March and running through mid-November every weekend during those months. I roughly do between 32-45 games a month from those alone. Counting the local youth, high school and college I do over 300 games per year and have for the last seven years not including last year.

Last year I was burnt out and took a year off to coach (go ahead... hang me) and it was the best thing I could have done. It was a one year coaching position that was to prepare kids for the high school game. It was fun.

However, I am already beginning to feel burnt out. Someone previously said that many of these tournament coaches believe these games are the difference between life and death. (it may be the expensive entry fees??) Either way, it does get old dealing with the same crap every weekend. I'm 27 and I feel like I am ready to retire tomorrow.

I think next year I will do as someone suggested and block out one day per week so that I can have a day to relax and to myself. Good suggestion.

Block out at least one full week per month. Your working way too many games that are all the same. Go find an assoc that will get you HS or JC games - two or three per month is plenty from a change of pace standpoint.

The grind of 8-10 games every weekend is just too much on body and mind. Just stop doing it.