How Many Games Is Too Many?

[Buckeye12]

I'm currently taking classes to become state certified in baseball. With the season approaching, I've gotten my name out to several schools and am starting to book dates and recieving contracts. I was wondering how many games a week I should schedule. My instructor said not to "overbook" yourself, but failed to recommend a number. Any suggestions?

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by Buckeye12
I'm currently taking classes to become state certified in baseball. With the season approaching, I've gotten my name out to several schools and am starting to book dates and recieving contracts. I was wondering how many games a week I should schedule. My instructor said not to "overbook" yourself, but failed to recommend a number. Any suggestions?

More than 7 days / week would be too many.

Seriously, it's tough to answer that question because so much depends on you. What do you do for a living? Can you get off work every day in time to make the games? Have you officiated before? What does your spouse / SO think of you being gone every evening?

In the beginning, I might try 2 days during the week, plus 1 day on the weekend. Then, if there is rain, or cancellations (and there will be), you'll be open when the schools / asssigners call for replacements.

[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by Buckeye12

I'm currently taking classes to become state certified in baseball. With the season approaching, I've gotten my name out to several schools and am starting to book dates and recieving contracts. I was wondering how many games a week I should schedule. My instructor said not to "overbook" yourself, but failed to recommend a number. Any suggestions?

As Bob said it depends upon you.

1. Family, loved ones and job
This will give you the best answer. Will your job allow you to umpire HS games which start anywhere from 3 - 4:30 in the afternoon depending upon where you live? In the association I belong to the games start at 4:15 PM.

What's your status? single, married, married with children, engaged etc. Umpiring is a BIG committment and you should involve those you love in the decision making process.

2. How much of your FREE time to you want to give up. If your loved one's support you in your umpiring career, it's a pretty tight sell to say Hey Hun - today I'm playing 18 with the guys.

Side Note: Be honest with your assignor. Do not take a game if it conflicts with say your son / daughter's games. I know the assignor might sound disappointed etc, but your Family should come first.

The rest is up to you. BTW most if not all of us had that year or 2 in which we did officiate 7 days a week.

Pete Booth

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally posted by bob jenkins

More than 7 days / week would be too many.

Seriously, it's tough to answer that question because so much depends on you. What do you do for a living? Can you get off work every day in time to make the games? Have you officiated before? What does your spouse / SO think of you being gone every evening?

In the beginning, I might try 2 days during the week, plus 1 day on the weekend. Then, if there is rain, or cancellations (and there will be), you'll be open when the schools / asssigners call for replacements.

I checked your profile. As a college student I am going to make the educated assumption that you can officiate as much or as little as your time permits.

My recommendation is to umpire everyday that your schedule permits. The only way that you will improve is to umpire, but you must umpire with a purpose too. Each game try to focus on a couple of things that you want to improve. After every game go home and write a short diary about the game, what you think that you did wrong and what you think you did correct. Also anything unsual and how you and your partner handled it.