paid little league umps banned

[kylejt]

First, you're not going to see this in writing from Williamsport. Plus, each area does it differently. Some regionals just don't care. Others, like SoCal, will frog march "offenders" off the property if your fellow umpires rat you out. And they will.

LL is, in theory per the rulebook, is an adult, volunteer work project. "There is no sound reason to pay umpires, or any other person whose services should be provided on a volunteer basis." says the book, for those that care to read it. Like it, or not, that's their stand.

Some umpires make a big deal about working post season games. If it's that huge to you, don't take compensation for LL games. Me, I don't care about working a TV game. If my local district needs help, I'm there. If not, I'll be a fan and watch the game. I've gone as far as Division, and it's not a goal of mine to work any further.

LL can afford to pick and chose who works games at the regional level. It's a simple supply and demand thing.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by kylejt

LL can afford to pick and chose who works games at the regional level. It's a simple supply and demand thing.

They can right now, but that might change with all the expense is costs to work any game at any level.

Does LL not allow ESPN to pay their employees to cover their games? Volunteer is great if you are talking about coaches and certain people, but not for something like umpiring which is after all a service.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

They can right now, but that might change with all the expense is costs to work any game at any level.

Does LL not allow ESPN to pay their employees to cover their games? Volunteer is great if you are talking about coaches and certain people, but not for something like umpiring which is after all a service.

Peace

The guys that run Little League and the regions do so as a full time job. They are paid. According to LL, about 60 people are paid and, by the way, the top people earn six figure salaries.

I have a friend who worked the LLWS in Williamsport last year. They put him in a hotel room (alone, so he could bring his wife or anyone he chose), gave him a stipend for meals, and most of his expenses were covered.

I've worked a regional. I was provided a room and I paid a small supplement so it could be a solo room (I travel for business and sharing a hotel room with a stranger is not something I'd relish). We were given meal tickets for the field which, frankly, I never completely used.

Fair is decided by those who get to do the choosing. If you don't like their terms, no matter what region and what terms, don't work the games.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

The guys that run Little League and the regions do so as a full time job. They are paid. According to LL, about 60 people are paid and, by the way, the top people earn six figure salaries.

I have a friend who worked the LLWS in Williamsport last year. They put him in a hotel room (alone, so he could bring his wife or anyone he chose), gave him a stipend for meals, and most of his expenses were covered.

I've worked a regional. I was provided a room and I paid a small supplement so it could be a solo room (I travel for business and sharing a hotel room with a stranger is not something I'd relish). We were given meal tickets for the field which, frankly, I never completely used.

Fair is decided by those who get to do the choosing. If you don't like their terms, no matter what region and what terms, don't work the games.

You are right that the any of us can decide whether to work the games, but when you expect things so drastically different from a segment of the operation that would get paid normally, without these stupid conditions, then you drastically limit the pool. In turn drastically limits the talent you have to make your organization look good. And maybe that is why regular umpires cringe when they watch LL games on TV.

It is not my organization and I personally do not care what they do. But I know I would want the best people at what they do available to work our most important games. And as you suggest if everyone else that is running the tournament getting paid, why not the umpires?

Peace