That wasn't the third out

[Rich]

Originally Posted by AllPurposeGamer

Again, I don't get what you're objection to Rich's statement is. What you just tried to pass off as a reason sounded like complete BS. Who are you to question Rich's or anyone else's love of the game? You are literally the only person I've ever met that got all in arms about this. Everyone on this forum understands Rich's point. It's a point that not only those that officiate baseball but do other sports. Let's not kid ourselves here, if anyone is going to stick it out at this level for any length of time, there has to be some love for whatever sport you officiate.

It's obvious that everyone here gets it. Well, except the troll.

I can easily live without the money that comes from officiating. I'm lucky in that regard, although I remember when I was in grad school and counted on officiating money to be able to do things other than eat ramen noodles every night for dinner. Back then I worked as many games as I could every day as long as it didn't interfere with my classes and schoolwork.

If people are working $60 games for the money, they're in the wrong business. Sure, the game itself may only take 90 minutes, but working a game involves a lot more than the time actually spent calling balls and strikes. Subtract out the cost of driving to a game (my baseball around here, with the exception of one or two schools pays NO travel money at all) and the driving time and the time away from my wife and daughter, and it's not a great bargain. If I didn't love it, on some level, I sure as hell wouldn't keep doing it.

[jophyal]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

It's obvious that everyone here gets it. Well, except the troll.

I can easily live without the money that comes from officiating. I'm lucky in that regard, although I remember when I was in grad school and counted on officiating money to be able to do things other than eat ramen noodles every night for dinner. Back then I worked as many games as I could every day as long as it didn't interfere with my classes and schoolwork.

If people are working $60 games for the money, they're in the wrong business. Sure, the game itself may only take 90 minutes, but working a game involves a lot more than the time actually spent calling balls and strikes. Subtract out the cost of driving to a game (my baseball around here, with the exception of one or two schools pays NO travel money at all) and the driving time and the time away from my wife and daughter, and it's not a great bargain. If I didn't love it, on some level, I sure as hell wouldn't keep doing it.

+1

Don't forget the 45 minute minimum pre game and the 30 minute post game meeting. I am sure the majority of us do it for the money. That $12-15 average is too inticing. STB must have plenty of money considering how much time he has to hang around and stir up messes.

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by jophyal

STB must have plenty of money...

Plenty and I quit taking game fees years ago. I teach for free internationally on my dime. I collect umpire's equipment and give it away to international umpires in need either for free or they pay the cost of shipping. Tens of thousands of $$$ every year.

IOW, I walk the walk.

When I worked for fees, I did it because I was very happy to have either the extra income or income to keep the doors open in the Best's household. I was never once ashamed of my officiating profession or ashemaed to admit that I need to work games for the security and comfort of my family.

It is absolutely hypocritical to not lay straight your need for the money, admit it and move on. There's no shame in that yet where are the ones on this forum who are not ashamed to admit it? At this point, not one person except for myslef has done so. What are the chances that the hundreds of umpires on TOF, posting here, that none, zero, of them don't need the income?

Strange? Not around here where forum talk is the talk and the walk is nonexistent.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

Plenty and I quit taking game fees years ago.

That's because they made you stop umpiring years ago.

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

I teach for free internationally on my dime.

Maybe, but not umpiring.

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

I collect umpire's equipment and give it away to international umpires in need either for free or they pay the cost of shipping. Tens of thousands of $$$ every year.

Great! I've got some. Why don't you PM your name and address so I can send it to you?

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

IOW, I walk the walk.

Just like Christopher Reeve.

[bob jenkins]

There's a difference between umpiring solely for the money and umpiring because it's a hobby you enjoy that also pays.

If given a choice between 8, 1.5 hour time limit, 9U games on a Saturday in your home town @ $30, and 1 D-2 game , 1.5 hours away @$125, most "umpires only for the money) would take the former; most others would take the latter.

Most (and there are exceptions, on both sides) who do it only for the money show up just before game time, leave immediately after, don't study the rules or mechanics, wear old wrinkled / dirty clothes, etc. They often are the Smittys.

I, too, know umpires who umpire for the money and who don't fall into that description. That wasn't (I am quite certain) what Rich was talking about. I'm also quite certain that posters who pretend not to understand that actually do.

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I can easily live without the money that comes from officiating.

Then don't take it especially to satisfy your need for $30 dinners and post game booze. Go to McDonald's and drink less. It's called moderation.