Game fees.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

MTD, Jr., and I belong to two umpires associations in the Toledo area.

One association is an OhioHSAA Certified Local Officials Association (LOA), which conducts required rules interpretations/mechanics meetings; this association also assigns H.S. baseball and fastpitch softball umpires as well as travel league baseball and fastpitch softball and summer fastpitch softball games and tournaments.

The other association is not associated with the OhioHSAA and assigns, travel league baseball and fastpitch softball and summer fastpitch softball games, as well as the house leagues for a area city's recreational department. The assigner for this association sent the following email to the membership regarding game fees:


"There were 2 instances last night where weather had an effect on the umpire's pay. I will explain the guidelines to you, and then explain how these umpires should have been paid.

When weather becomes the issue of whether a game gets played or completed, here are the guidelines:

1. If the game does not get started, the umpires receive nothing.

2. If the game gets started, even if it is only one pitch, the umpires get 1/2 fee. Once the game becomes official, the umpires are entitled to the other half of the fee.

So in last night's games, the one game at 8:00 pm never got started, so the umpires should not have gotten any fees. In the other game at 8:00 pm, 5 pitches were thrown when the game was stopped. The umpire on that game got half of his fee.

One other thing - if you receive the full fee before the game, and you don't start or don't finish, find the coach and give the appropriate money back. It just gives you credibility as an umpire and an honest person in general. Too many coaches tell me that some umpires are only in it for the money. While we all like the extra cash, you have a unique skill, and most of us do this because we like it. Always make that the main reason you umpire - because you like it. If the main reason you do it is because of the money, you are probably not that good of an umpire! Keep that in mind.

I will explain this to all of our travel coaches as well, so they have an understanding. The same goes for rec games as well - no pitch, no money. One pitch, 1/2 fee. Official game, full fee."


These game fee rules are pure unalderated horse manure. I can live with getting a 1/2 game fee if the game is canceled before we can start the game, but once the game starts, it is a full game fee or no umpires.

MTD, Sr.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

These game fee rules are pure unalderated horse manure.

That about sums it up perfectly. I wouldn't work for any group with a policy like that.

[UmpJM]

Mark,

These game fee rules are pure unalderated horse manure.

You are very polite.

I was wondering how much of a "bonus" you get when the game goes extra innings??

In my association, if the game is not cancelled by 90 minutes prior to scheduled start time, umpires receive a full game fee.

JM

[DonInKansas]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

I was wondering how much of a "bonus" you get when the game goes extra innings??

Probably about as much as you give back for a game stopped via run rule.

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

These game fee rules are pure unalderated horse manure.

Agree as well. That's ridiculous!

-Josh

[PeteBooth]

Mark I am with you

One thing this 'clown" forgot to include in his statement when he talks about money.

Umpiring is a BUSINESS. just like any other. Give the above like Fee structure to any contract worker you have dealt with and see what happens. Unless he/she is a friend of yours they will tell you thanks but no thanks.

In or association we get paid 1/2 FEE if we arrive at game site and the game gets kicked before we take the field. However, once we take the field FULL game FEE. We do not even need a pitch because suppose someone gets hurt on that first pitch when the field conditions were unplayable.

One other thing in our assoictaion. If it's a nice sunny day but one team does not have enough players - we get FULL game fee because it's not our fault the team did not have a full compliment of players.

I would not work for this association.

Pete Booth

[Kevin Finnerty]

Whenever a league or association drafts its policies, they should have someone in the room who's in touch with umpiring.

[Rich]

Locally, I've had games where I've driven to the field, checked in with game management (usually the home coach or AD) and the sky opened up before I could even get dressed. Full fee.

The rules should be quite clear and then the umpires can decide whether to work that league/conference. If I drive an hour and then get to drive home, I'd better receive something for my time and trouble. They could've (in many cases) made a decision earlier.

[ozzy6900]

Once I arrive at the field, I get a full game fee. It doesn't matter if the game is played or not nor does it matter how much of the game is played. Both umpires are paid in full per our association.

[Rich]

I made $115 for a 1:35 HS game today. Gotta love the state playoffs and 40¢/mile roundtrip travel money.

[BlueTick48]

If I take time out of my day to drive to a field to do a game,I'm getting paid, regardless if we throw a pitch or not.My time is just as valuable as everyone else involved..No pitch full game fee.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

These game fee rules are pure unalderated horse manure. I can live with getting a 1/2 game fee if the game is canceled before we can start the game, but once the game starts, it is a full game fee or no umpires.

MTD, Sr.

While I agree that it isn't the best policy, at least it's out in the open and you (and others) can decide whether it's worth it to work that league. If they can't get enough (quality) umpires because of the policy, they'll change it.

I think one league I work for has a policy of "50% if the game starts, plus 10% for each inning until an official game"

[piaa_ump]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I think one league I work for has a policy of "50% if the game starts, plus 10% for each inning until an official game"

we have something similar...........$20 travel fee if not cancelled 1 hour prior to game time.......if stopped prior to official game...$20 travel +$3 an Inning....if stopped after official game point reached Full fee...

[BuggBob]

Are you guys kidding? No game no fee, that makes total and complete sense. If I hire the kid next door to mow my lawn , he gets paid when the lawn is mowed. If he starts and does not finish because of weather, sorry kid no pay. If I hire a guy to paint my house, fix my plumbing, wash my car, serve me a meal at Red Robin -- same deal, no work (or incomplete work) no pay. How can I require a standard from others, but not hold myself to that same standard. While we usually don't get paid on site (with very few exceptions) we wont get paid for any game that is weathered out before official. I have umpired a contest that was stopped in the fourth because of rain -- no pay. I have shown up at the field for a game to have the field rained out at game time -- no pay.

While I value much of what I read in these forums, Getting paid for no work is one topic which we may disagree. I fully expect some to take great offence at my stand on this topic -- this is the way it is done here, I expect it is done differently elsewhere. But I think the assigner mentioned by the original poster is right.

Welcome to America where all opinions are received and encouraged.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by BuggBob

Are you guys kidding? No game no fee, that makes total and complete sense. If I hire the kid next door to mow my lawn , he gets paid when the lawn is mowed. If he starts and does not finish because of weather, sorry kid no pay. If I hire a guy to paint my house, fix my plumbing, wash my car, serve me a meal at Red Robin -- same deal, no work (or incomplete work) no pay. How can I require a standard from others, but not hold myself to that same standard. While we usually don't get paid on site (with very few exceptions) we wont get paid for any game that is weathered out before official. I have umpired a contest that was stopped in the fourth because of rain -- no pay. I have shown up at the field for a game to have the field rained out at game time -- no pay.

While I value much of what I read in these forums, Getting paid for no work is one topic which we may disagree. I fully expect some to take great offence at my stand on this topic -- this is the way it is done here, I expect it is done differently elsewhere. But I think the assigner mentioned by the original poster is right.

Welcome to America where all opinions are received and encouraged.

Do you ask the kid next door to come over and wait to see if you decide you want the lawn mowed, then tell him no after watching it rain for half an hour?

The game fee or half a game fee for showing up is used as much as a discouragement to that lame practice.

When I spend the time to get to a game and then wait a half hour for the home coach to decide if the game starts or not, I deserve compensation.

Trying hiring a plumber, have him hang around and do nothing and then tell him you changed your mind. If you don't get a bill for time and travel you're not sharing the experience that most of us have.

By the way, locally we get the travel fee and half a game fee if the game does not start and the travel fee and a full game fee after the first pitch.