Should We Get Paid?

[APG]

The only way you should get paid is if it's the accepted practice by all in your area that no extra innings/overtimes are played in sub-varsity contests...and I'd guess it isn't, because that kind of policy would have been known beforehand by the coaches and they wouldn't have acted so surprised when you walked from the game.

Besides that, I think your attitude towards the sub-varsity game is all kinds of wrong.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by umpire99

The problem is that if I was temporarily insane, then I must be permanantly insane. Don't you guys realize that this is a JV GAME. Who cares that there is not a winner. We were on our way to a smooth game, when the fifth inning seemed to take forever and then they expect us to stay to watch a bunch of non-skilled kids play extra innings. I'm not doing it. And I'm going to get my money one way or another.

I'm surprised that as an official YOU don't recognize that the outcome of the game is important to the JV players. I suppose it could be that in your area the players and coaches at the JV level don't care, but I think it's highly unlikely.

In our area the JV players play the game with the same competitive spirit that the varsity players do. The high school teams are made up of players who have played with and against each other since tee-ball in youth leagues, and there's a good amount of pride and bragging rights involved in the games. The skill level isn't the same, but it's not like you're going from excellence to "Keystone Cop" baseball.

I suggest, as others have suggested, that you re-check your thought process on these games, and that you apologize to those you've wronged.

Tim.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by umpire99

Don't you guys realize that this is a JV GAME.

If you feel that this level of ball is beneath you, then don't accept the assignment in the first place (unless you're just more concerned about sucking up an easy paycheck).

Every game should get your best effort- even the crappy ones that might run a little bit longer than normal. To me, "best effort" doesn't include walking off before the game reaches it's conclusion.

This contradiction always makes me scratch my head: Guys chomp at the bit all winter long to get out on the ballfield, then once the games get going they're hellbent to get them over with and hit the road as fast as they can. You're supposed to like umpiring. Why not stick around and enjoy it a few more minutes?

Did you have a hot date something?

[SE Minnestoa Re]

Respect the game and its participants. While this JV game may not mean much to you, I can guarantee you it means a lot to the kids playing. I always try to remember the game is for the kids; I am just there to make sure that it is played fairly and safely.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by umpire99

The problem is that if I was temporarily insane, then I must be permanantly insane. Don't you guys realize that this is a JV GAME. Who cares that there is not a winner. We were on our way to a smooth game, when the fifth inning seemed to take forever and then they expect us to stay to watch a bunch of non-skilled kids play extra innings. I'm not doing it. And I'm going to get my money one way or another.

You should just quit. You treated nobody involved with respect, including yourself. Sounds like you umpire only for a paycheck.

I umpired a 5-inning JV game last year as part of a DH because of a wet JV field. First JV game I worked in a long, long time and it was not well played. But I agreed to work it and I gave it the same effort I gave the varsity game before it. And actually it was supposed to be seven innings and the teams decided after 4 they were going to play "one more inning." And had it ended tied, I would've asked the teams if they were going to play extras, not assume they weren't going to because "nobody cares."

If they didn't care, they wouldn't keep score. Or they wouldn't play.

Who do you think will be playing varsity in a year or two? Who do think will be coaching a varsity team in a few years or will be the athletic director of a school? Bridges burn where you least expect them to burn.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by umpire99

The problem is that if I was temporarily insane, then I must be permanantly insane. Don't you guys realize that this is a JV GAME. Who cares that there is not a winner. We were on our way to a smooth game, when the fifth inning seemed to take forever and then they expect us to stay to watch a bunch of non-skilled kids play extra innings. I'm not doing it. And I'm going to get my money one way or another.

AH ... so you haven't taken enough flogging already... OK, I'll pile on since you don't get it yet.

JV is not a scrimmage. "Who cares that there is not a winner?" Every single player, parent, coach, and fan at that game cares. Non-skilled? If the game is not worth you deigning your time to officiate from on high, perhaps you should pass these games on to umpires who give a sh!+. You're "not doing it?" You are a condescending a$$ that doesn't deserve to be on the field. That clear enough for you?

Unless I'm told before the game that we are playing 5-innings DROP DEAD (which does happen, although rare)... you are there to officiate a game. When a baseball game is tied at the end of regulation, what do you do? LEAVE is not the right answer.

I would never have you come back to work either, and if I was your scheduler, you'd be done in my area as well.

As to your pay, there's no way in he!! you're getting a paycheck from me if I'm the school, and there's no way I'm even asking the school about it if I'm your scheduler (in fact... as the scheduler, I'd be calling the school immediately to apologize profusely for your completely unacceptable behavior).

[Rich]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

AH ... so you haven't taken enough flogging already... OK, I'll pile on since you don't get it yet.

JV is not a scrimmage. "Who cares that there is not a winner?" Every single player, parent, coach, and fan at that game cares. Non-skilled? If the game is not worth you deigning your time to officiate from on high, perhaps you should pass these games on to umpires who give a sh!+. You're "not doing it?" You are a condescending a$$ that doesn't deserve to be on the field. That clear enough for you?

Unless I'm told before the game that we are playing 5-innings DROP DEAD (which does happen, although rare)... you are there to officiate a game. When a baseball game is tied at the end of regulation, what do you do? LEAVE is not the right answer.

I would never have you come back to work either, and if I was your scheduler, you'd be done in my area as well.

As to your pay, there's no way in he!! you're getting a paycheck from me if I'm the school, and there's no way I'm even asking the school about it if I'm your scheduler (in fact... as the scheduler, I'd be calling the school immediately to apologize profusely for your completely unacceptable behavior).

Actually, if the contract included both games, I wouldn't pay him for the varsity game either.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by umpire99

The problem is that if I was temporarily insane, then I must be permanantly insane. Don't you guys realize that this is a JV GAME.

If you're that much bigger than a JV game, then don't accept the assignment.

Edit: BretMan beat me to the same thought.

[nopachunts]

Originally Posted by umpire99

The problem is that if I was temporarily insane, then I must be permanantly insane. Don't you guys realize that this is a JV GAME. Who cares that there is not a winner. We were on our way to a smooth game, when the fifth inning seemed to take forever and then they expect us to stay to watch a bunch of non-skilled kids play extra innings. I'm not doing it. And I'm going to get my money one way or another.

U99,
If you are going to ask a question on this board, don't moan and groan at the answer you get. There are members who have a lot more experience than you or me. Either man up or find something else to do.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by umpire99

The problem is that if I was temporarily insane, then I must be permanantly insane. Don't you guys realize that this is a JV GAME. Who cares that there is not a winner. We were on our way to a smooth game, when the fifth inning seemed to take forever and then they expect us to stay to watch a bunch of non-skilled kids play extra innings. I'm not doing it. And I'm going to get my money one way or another.

STOP IT RIGHT NOW!! You are not temporarily insane and you are not permanently insane; you are not insane period! What you are is one big A$$HOLE who would be doing the officiating profession a great service by NEVER officiating or umpiring again! I am going to stop at this point because right now I feel like I would love to take a bat (per Al Capone in The Untouchables) to you. This is no way for me to start such a lovely day here in Toledo, Ohio.

MTD, Sr.

[Forest Ump]

I second that thought.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

This is no way for me to start such a lovely day here in Toledo, Ohio.

MTD, Sr.

Sorry that you have to begin your days there. Nobody should have to suffer like that!

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by mark t. Denucci, sr.

stop it right now!! you are not temporarily insane and you are not permanently insane; you are not insane period! What you are is one big a$$hole who would be doing the officiating profession a great service by never officiating or umpiring again! I am going to stop at this point because right now i feel like i would love to take a bat (per al capone in the untouchables) to you. This is no way for me to start such a lovely day here in toledo, ohio.

Mtd, sr.

+1000

[gordon30307]

Originally Posted by umpire99

The problem is that if I was temporarily insane, then I must be permanantly insane. Don't you guys realize that this is a JV GAME. Who cares that there is not a winner. We were on our way to a smooth game, when the fifth inning seemed to take forever and then they expect us to stay to watch a bunch of non-skilled kids play extra innings. I'm not doing it. And I'm going to get my money one way or another.

If you were working for my assignor with this attitude you'd be fired. 5innings, 7 or 9 if the game is tied you play on.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by umpire99

Don't you guys realize that this is a JV GAME.

Well, that just makes you a JV umpire then, doesn't it? Do your job.

Originally Posted by umpire99

We were on our way to a smooth game, when the fifth inning seemed to take forever and then they expect us to stay to watch a bunch of non-skilled kids play extra innings. I'm not doing it. And I'm going to get my money one way or another

So what? I mean, they have to put with your umpiring, right? You're getting paid for the days worth of work, no matter the smoothness, or skill level, right? If this is beneath you, don't work youth ball at all. But don't complain about it, then walk off the field.

I know some guys here have called you an arrogant dick (oh, they didn't. My bad), but you have to see their point of view. Most of us have had kids playing at the level, and would appriciate your attitude toward them, or the game.