Umpire Burnout

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

In light of the recent threads we have had (ie; the one where the coach came onto the field with a bat), some of Garth's and other's latest post where coaches rush onto the field like a Fire drill do you get to a point in the season where you say

"I have had enough"

Rarely.

I do not know about your particular areas but it seems coaches are getting worse. Even legion which is supposed to be about Sportsmanship etc. is not what it used to be.

Agree.

Do you have a goal in mind when you will finally "hang um up".

Not there yet, will happen when I can no longer get the games I want.

Do you get tired of the constant "policing of the games".

If I have to constantly police them, I won't do them.

Every year as we hit July I often say to myself "Is it time to go" Also, our association has found it difficult to recruit "young blood" partly because of the economy meaning it's very difficult when you are young and starting a Professional career to be able to get off of work and umpire baseball. Also, who in their "right mind" after seeing some of the antics displayed by these coaches / players would want to take up umpiring.

I agree but I see very little being done to recruit anyway. Contractors aren't asked to pay for it. orgs don't do it, there is no money for it and the Big Dogs often don't give a crap. The pay isn't what it should be, the startup costs aren't absorbed by anyone other than the umpire (usually), the whole economics is insane, out of touch with reality and will continue to be that way.

For me summer ball used to be a place where I would work on different aspects of my mechanics. Try new things etc. However, These summer tournaments is like "life /death" for some of these teams.

Parents have bought into competitive baseball, summer is where lil Johnny gets his hot to make the team or a position; the whole thing is out of whack and needs to be redesigned but the system as is, is a function of those who support it and that is the parents.

IMO, in order to get new recruits etc. a zero type policy among umpire associations will have to take effect meaning The LITERAL wording of 9.02 adhered to. Not like the PRO game where it has become customary for a coach to run onto the field and lamblast an umpire. PRO ball is different and people have to understand that.

Agree but won't happen since Contractors will not, typically, stand up for officials organizations who refuse to train and who refuse to demand from Contractors to support zero tolerance. There are thre types of Contractors. 1) Public who are underpaid and who just want tom make it through the next loon day, 2) Private, they often want to "work" umpires to better calls, to more lenient coach chasing rules, to allow those who pay the big $$$ to do as they please (parents), 3) The Good Guys who can be 1) or 2). God love them.

Umpires umpire because they need the money. This is the ultimate reason we can be taken advantage of.

In summary do you have ever umpire burnout or if not burnout say to yourself "Enough is enough" Also, instead of doing those "high prestiges games" simply want a relaxed league (yes there are some and I have been requesting more and more of those type games) where every call isn't life or death and you have to police the game.

Thanks

Pete Booth

Pete, fortunately, I have found a niche of enjoyable games which have a very high level of play. We have gotten the respect of the Contractors and agreed to a zero tolerance policy. We get paid twice the average, and we take recruiting seriously as we do training. You are paid according to the demonstrated level by test, coaches reviews and other criteria. it took a long time to get there but I would be out of this entirely if not the case. I have paid my social dues, called all the best, worst and age groups, 40 years plus, off and on.

But nationally, as you have pointed out, we are nearing crisis mode and nothing will change unless there is a severe umpire shortage (doubtful) or a national organization which could represent us, like a union (extremely doubtful).

Nope, we are the tail end of the abuse chain in a consistently more abusive society.