Giving Game Fees back

[johnnyg08]

It's hard to believe that an assigner thought his umpires would agree to buy in to a tournament...work can't be that hard to come by out there. I had a couple of umpires approach our assn asking to work a memorial game (free game) for a team who lost a player in a motorcycle accident last summer. I think for the guys who reach out for this...is admirable to say the least.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

I've just been notified by one of the assignors I work for that in order to work one of the bigger tournaments, we need to send him a check that matches one game fee for shirts, hats, etc. Normally, we are provided with tournament shirts and hats. I believe that this typically comes out of each team's entry fee, along with our game fees as well.

The reasoning is because of the bad economy, we as umpires can do something to make it easier on each team that signs up to play.

Now listen, I'm all for giving back. I had no problem last year working 4 games in a tournament and giving back all but enough for gas and six pack. The tournament was a fundraiser for a local girl who was sick.

But this one peeves me a bit more and I'm not sure I'll cave. The decision was made without my input at all, since I'm still in school and am 600 miles away from meetings. I guess perks of the union life...

Anyone have anything similar going on in their area?

Tell the assignor you won't be home during that tourney.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

It's hard to believe that an assigner thought his umpires would agree to buy in to a tournament...work can't be that hard to come by out there. I had a couple of umpires approach our assn asking to work a memorial game (free game) for a team who lost a player in a motorcycle accident last summer. I think for the guys who reach out for this...is admirable to say the least.

What team was that?

[johnnyg08]

Matt, PM me if you want details...the umpires have told me that they don't want to make a big deal of it.

[tballump]

Tuss

Good to see you are back. From all your previous posts, this semester should be the your last, and over or almost over. Must be nice to go to a school where Joe West and Drew Coble went and are in the school's athletic hall of fame. Were you able to finish in 4 or did it take longer?

To your question. Since you know that many assignors (no not all) have 50-100 schools and each school pays $200 for each of 10-15 sports to be assigned (2-3k per school) and are making 6 figures for this job, in addition to whatever they make at their "real job", I would have said the assignor is looking after his pocket. Many of these assignors also handle summer leagues for different sports also. However, you said that was not the case, but it just doesn't pass the smell test to me. If he loses business, you lose business.

That being said, if I have read your past post's correctly and your future can go as you would like it, and you have read up on your history concerning your future endeavor, as the good history major you are, this summer thing might just be the least of your worries concerning a decision to that must be made. The decisions that you will have to make down the road over these types of financial issues and situations and to work or not work could be much more challenging if history continues to repeat itself ever so many years if you get my drift. Good luck with whatever you decide (you could seek council from some veterans in your CT association and why it doesn't bother them on this current issue), and good luck in the future. Never park where it says umpires(bearef??might get rid of this). Enjoy NASCAR and hockey when you can.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

When my uncle (my late father's younger brother) died this past March, my sons told me that I was now "The Godfather" of the family. When they told me that I replied that if we were a Mafia Family, we should get a stimulus check from Uncle Sam because we are so lousy at being a Mafia Family, .

My point is, it sounds like the Tournament Director wants a kickback if you want to umpire and I would think that is racketeering under the RICO Act (see bribery or extortion, but probably bribery).

MTD, Sr.

[Steve87]

If they are asking to give back game fees or pay extra costs after the fact, then it’s tacky and wrong. I volunteer for a charity tournament every year; they give us t-shirts, food and drinks. It’s a fun time with my brother blues and it’s for a good cause, but I know I’m volunteering upfront.

[PeteBooth]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

I've just been notified by one of the assignors I work for that in order to work one of the bigger tournaments, we need to send him a check that matches one game fee for shirts, hats, etc.

Tuss I do not understand the aforementioned

When my assignor is contacted to cover a tournament we wear our HS Certified uniforms.

We do not buy separate apparel for each tournament that we cover.

I can understand getting a reduced FEE (as long as each umpire is guarenteed a certain number of games) due to the hard economic times but as mentioned I do not understand the need to buy shirts hats etc.

Pete Booth

[chartrusepengui]

I don't mind doing a game for free for a good cause - BUT - I will be the one choosing to do this. I hope he can't find anyone to do his tournament.

[Kevin Finnerty]

This is another excellent example of how people inside baseball are absolutely out of touch with umpiring.

I can't imagine an umpire that I know who would gladly comply with this preposterous arrangement.

But I know many other than myself, who would gladly donate their time for a worthy cause.

[Cub42]

So I guess that the " bad economy" does not affect Umpires. Your Assignor should be ashamed of himself for agreeing to this

[Kevin Finnerty]

Umpires are already exploited. The standard fee for the work that is performed is so far below what it's worth, it's a borderline disgrace. We're baseball's greatest suckers.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Umpires are already exploited. The standard fee for the work that is performed is so far below what it's worth, it's a borderline disgrace. We're baseball's greatest suckers.

Negotiating game fees is like pulling teeth. Teams all want the greatest umpires but expect them all to work for next to nothing.

Many teams never believe what it costs in terms of equipment, keeping it upgraded, study time, drive time, vehicle maintenance, actually working the game...as if all of the stuff in my trunk magically appears there.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Negotiating game fees is like pulling teeth. Teams all want the greatest umpires but expect them all to work for next to nothing.

Many teams never believe what it costs in terms of equipment, keeping it upgraded, study time, drive time, vehicle maintenance, actually working the game...as if all of the stuff in my trunk magically appears there.

Amen!

I just emailed an AD from one of the schools that stiffed me this season, informing him of all that we incur with equipment, insurance, gas, time off work, etc. ... Let's just say, it was a revelation.

I hate when the money even has to be discussed, because I don't do it for the money. But when I get stiffed, I can't help but take a profound insult from all of it. Or how about when you drive 30 or 40 miles and find out the game was canceled a day and a half ago, but no one even considered picking up a telephone and notifying the umpires?

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

...Or how about when you drive 30 or 40 miles and find out the game was canceled a day and a half ago, but no one even considered picking up a telephone and notifying the umpires?

In this area, that means the school owes you for the entire contract.

-Josh