Australian Umpires

mccann · #1 (**permalink**) Sun Jul 03, 2005, 10:01pm

Can someone tell me if they get paid for doing softball games.

debeau · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 04, 2005, 01:40am

No they dont , same as New Zealand umpires we get nothing .
We do it for the love of the game .
It is a minor sport in Australia and New Zealand and consequently funding is low .

Antonella · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 04, 2005, 06:37am

Debeau,
softball it's not sport n°1 in Italy, too (as you all can easily imagine).
But umpires here are paid. Why they shouldn't be?
I can also say softball is emproving a lot all over Europe and, sure, umpires are paid also in Russia, Croatia, France, Germany, etc. Name a country and I will tell you: yes, umpires get a (small) fee to direct a game.
Here in Italy it's not a big amount of money, of course, and the 'budget' is thinner (?) year after year. But it's a kind of... RESPECT being paid to do that.
What do you think about this?

A.

mccann · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 04, 2005, 10:48am

As in Italy, in the USA we get paid, but as you say you do it for the love of the game , and not for the money.

argodad · #5 (**permalink**) Wed Jul 06, 2005, 10:41am

I don't do it for the money ... but I wouldn't do it without the money.

IRISHMAFIA · #6 (**permalink**) Wed Jul 06, 2005, 11:37am

Quote:

Originally posted by argodad
I don't do it for the money ... but I wouldn't do it without the money.

Ditto

Andy · #7 (**permalink**) Wed Jul 06, 2005, 11:59am

Quote:

Originally posted by argodad
I don't do it for the money ... but I wouldn't do it without the money.

Agreed...with certain exceptions like Special Olympics and other charity events.

I know that there are some Little League umpires that post here from time to time that work for a "hot dog and coke" on a regular basis...I admire that!

whiskers_ump · #8 (**permalink**) Wed Jul 06, 2005, 12:14pm

With the prices of gas soaring higher and higher, you have to have the money. I live 50
miles in any direction from where I call. (That's one way). I enjoy calling, but
need the gas money and motel room.

bkbjones · #9 (**permalink**) Wed Jul 06, 2005, 12:53pm

I've worked more than one game for a t-shirt and a handshake, along with a "thank you for coming over."

But umpires anywhere, even in NZ and Australia, should receive some recompense. I do it for the love of the game, too...but it would seem that out of respect you should receive some recompense recognizing your time and effort.

I, too, travel. In order to work games in the Seattle area, I travel 30-plus miles minimum one way each Saturday and Sunday to the site where most of our tournament games are played. Don't complain a bit about it...but I wouldn't do it for free.

NSABlue · #10 (**permalink**) Fri Jul 08, 2005, 01:24pm

I have a DD who will be returning this weekend from a 12 day trip to Australia that she made with her college team. They played games in Brisbane and Sydney. I'm sure I'll here lots of stories about Australian Umpires soon.

SRW · #11 (**permalink**) Fri Jul 08, 2005, 03:00pm

Quote:

Originally posted by bkbjones
I, too, travel. In order to work games in the Seattle area, I travel 30-plus miles minimum one way each Saturday and Sunday to the site where most of our tournament games are played. Don't complain a bit about it...but I wouldn't do it for free.

Yes you would - just to see my smiling, cheery face.