Umpire Ethics

[ozzy6900]

I spoke to my assigner back when my son was playing ball. I did not do any games that involved his HS. The district is okay but I would stay away from the school itself.

[JJ]

"If you had a child attending or playing, we don't assign that umpire to that school's games for two years after the child has left the school."

Seriously? Wow.

JJ

[Forest Ump]

Originally Posted by JJ

"If you had a child attending or playing, we don't assign that umpire to that school's games for two years after the child has left the school."

Seriously? Wow.
JJ

Sounds like overkill but this might be their solution to a previously perceived problem.

[egj13]

Here in my state the school can be fined if they use an umpire with familial ties to the school. For example, my son is a freshman so I am not permitted to officiate any boys sports that his school is involved in. I can do girls but not boys.

For those wondering why the school gets a fine, it is because the school gets to choose which association they want officiating their games. We have an instance in baseball where one of the schools wants to use a competing association...problem is, that association only has 2 local umpires and one is a brother of the coach. So they can either pay travel for out of town officials or use our organazation...or pay $1600 in fines.

[hbk314]

Not to hijack the thread, but it's kind of related. Is it a conflict of interest in your opinions to umpire exclusively for the district you graduated from?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by hbk314

Not to hijack the thread, but it's kind of related. Is it a conflict of interest in your opinions to umpire exclusively for the district you graduated from?

Why would you want to do that? What's wrong with the other districts?

I don't view it so much as a conflict of interest. Rather, it's another example of an umpire making demands on which games he/she works, and I'm not too fond of that. It's one thing to establish limits based upon distances so an official doesn't have to travel so far to do games. But to single out certain schools or districts makes things harder on the assignor and, quite frankly, keeps other umpires from working games they would like to work.

[hbk314]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Why would you want to do that? What's wrong with the other districts?

I don't view it so much as a conflict of interest. Rather, it's another example of an umpire making demands on which games he/she works, and I'm not too fond of that. It's one thing to establish limits based upon distances so an official doesn't have to travel so far to do games. But to single out certain schools or districts makes things harder on the assignor and, quite frankly, keeps other umpires from working games they would like to work.

I get games directly from the AD. I started out umpiring summer baseball here. The baseball coach runs the summer rec program. With my work schedule, it's tough for me as is to make it to a 4:45 game reasonably ahead of time.

That's not to say I'd never work for a different district if the opportunity was there and I could do it.

[DG]

I suggest you block out dates when your son plays and enjoy watching games from the bleachers. Let your assignor know why you have so many block out dates. And then leave it to him to assign your games when you are available.

I doubt he would block you from the same school's JV and Varsity games. Of course this assumes your son's games are not on the same days, and if so you have a choice to make.

[SuMo77k]

I would definitely stay clear of the school altogether. In my area, it's almost impossible to avoid the entire conference.
Yet here's a little bit different twist - I went to a catholic school where the team spirit was above average. Generations of families are tied to this school to the point that if I run into someone to this day, in any aspect of life, there's an immediate connection (#brotherhood) that's worthy of brownie points...(discounts, extra pepperoni, keychains, etc).
I stuck around for 2 years after I graduated as a manager/assistant for the basketball team. I began officiating basketball, then eventually softball & baseball because of my coach.
As time went on, things change, politics play their role and coach is no longer at my alma mater. He hasn't been there since about 8 years ago...
I was class of 96... I had NEVER been assigned or worked any sport there until this season, 2013. ALTHOUGH I know I am fully capable of exercising fair discretion. (and I have filled in on games at the last minute... with no issues).
I still to this day remain in contact with my coach and his family.
It's not that I don't have the integrity, it's that the reputation of others' affects what is perceived of me.

Better safe than out.
(Unless you're us, then the faster the outs, the sooner we're done.)

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by hbk314

Not to hijack the thread, but it's kind of related. Is it a conflict of interest in your opinions to umpire exclusively for the district you graduated from?

When did you graduate?

And, I wouldn't want to be at the same field more than twice per scholastic season, or see the same team more than three or four times -- so working only for one district is going to really restrict your schedule.

[hbk314]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

When did you graduate?

And, I wouldn't want to be at the same field more than twice per scholastic season, or see the same team more than three or four times -- so working only for one district is going to really restrict your schedule.

Seven years ago.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by hbk314

Not to hijack the thread, but it's kind of related. Is it a conflict of interest in your opinions to umpire exclusively for the district you graduated from?

If you're doing below varsity it simply doesn't matter. Load up.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

If you're doing below varsity it simply doesn't matter. Load up.

Same thinking in my neighboring state. Many schools hire the same two umpires for the entire JV or freshman schedule and those umpires frequently live in town. Nobody bats an eye.