Just to put it to rest....

[tcannizzo]

The only people who know there is a severe umpire shortage is the umpires. I have often wondered why there is little to no recruiting of umpires.

In the 19 years that I have been chest-high in youth softball, I have only seen one case of someone advertising for umpires (my ad on the GA fastpitch message board last month).

In fact, if anyone can show me another example of where there is a "Call for Umpire Recruits", I would be glad to buy you a cold one.

It is like the "silicon valley mentality of business" that the fish will just jump into the boat. Put a line in the water before you complain that they aren't biting today.

Let the flames begin.

[U of M Sam]

I generally agree with the opinions stated. The following was my "attempt" to recruit younger umpires:
Approx. 7 years ago I was "talked" into becoming the UIC for our local Little League. There was a limited list of current umpires at the time I took the position. I chose to advertize at sign ups for new umpires. Many responses, although very few adults applied. Pre season clinics were conducted with generally good turn out of eager individuals who were mostly players from the league (12 to 18 year olds) looking to make some extra cash. I know that LL is expected to be volunteer although umpire volunteers were almost non-existant. Parents did not want to umpire (even when getting paid) as most could "umpire" better from the stands. The list continued to grow over the 4 years I was UIC. We conducted yearly clinics generally covering the basics and overall the "youngsters" umpired well.

When I chose to resign as UIC, I passed on the list of umpires. Sadly, the individual that became UIC somewhat discarded my list as he had some "new" umpires. Well long story short, the overall list of umpires decreased, annual clinics were not conducted, assignments were made at "short notice" (sometimes the day of scheduled games) and current umpires were many times scheduled solo. The new UIC usually was not at the field more than 1 to 2 days per week to assist with game management (I was usually at the field 5-6 days per week). This created an unorganized athomsphere. I continue to work softball games for the league and found many umpires would approach me with questions/situations as I was willing to listen and help.

Many people, including myself prior to being UIC, do not realize the time and effort involved to obtain, train and maintain a group or umpires. I can only imagine the challenge for larger leagues/organizations.

I continue to umpire LL and NFHS softball and am always willing to recruit new umpires although it does seem that many are not interested to become involved. My time as UIC was usually enjoyable and sometimes interesting although I do not miss the position.

I plan to continue sharing my enjoyment for the "craft" although sadly it seems many are not interested to become an umpire.

Sam

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

The only people who know there is a severe umpire shortage is the umpires. I have often wondered why there is little to no recruiting of umpires.

In the 19 years that I have been chest-high in youth softball, I have only seen one case of someone advertising for umpires (my ad on the GA fastpitch message board last month).

In fact, if anyone can show me another example of where there is a "Call for Umpire Recruits", I would be glad to buy you a cold one.

It is like the "silicon valley mentality of business" that the fish will just jump into the boat. Put a line in the water before you complain that they aren't biting today.

Let the flames begin.

Here in this part of Texas, we actively recruit officials via newspaper, public access programming, other sports officials' publications, going out to fields to watch "lower" level umpires in hopes they would move up, by talking to players and trying to encourage them to join the ranks of sports officials...etc. We are still showing negative growth year after year, and the primary reason given by those who quit are the way they are treated by fans, coaches, players....etc.

So...as someone who is a part of organizations who have put many a line in the water, and still come up empty handed, let me tell you, Mike has hit the proverbial nail on the head.

[Justme]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Here in this part of Texas, we actively recruit officials via newspaper, public access programming, other sports officials' publications, going out to fields to watch "lower" level umpires in hopes they would move up, by talking to players and trying to encourage them to join the ranks of sports officials...etc. We are still showing negative growth year after year, and the primary reason given by those who quit are the way they are treated by fans, coaches, players....etc.

So...as someone who is a part of organizations who have put many a line in the water, and still come up empty handed, let me tell you, Mike has hit the proverbial nail on the head.

We actively recruit new officials via newspaper and other sources too. The mistake made around here (IMHO), due to the extreme shortage of officials, is that many new officials are 'rushed' through training and into games. Because of this the newbies are often in over their heads and have a bad experience. After a few bad experiences they quit.

We have tried to work our vets with the newbies but many of the vets won't work the lower level games, they say they've paid their dues. Some vets, like me, just tell our assingors to work us where we are needed the most but we are in the minority. So the bottom line is that many of the newbies never have a chance.....this is applicable for all sports, again IMHO.

[tcannizzo]

Glad to buy a couple of cold ones for you guys. But we need to get more of this going nationally.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

Glad to buy a couple of cold ones for you guys. But we need to get more of this going nationally.

Already in the works.

[SRW]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Already in the works.

...Via OKC?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by SRW

...Via OKC?

Yes, sirree!

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Already in the works.

I hope they don't glamorize it beyond credibility.

[tcblue13]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I hope they don't glamorize it beyond credibility.

Are you ready to make new friends and to be somebody? Are you tired of the same dull 9-5 routine? Would you like to be involved in the world of big time sports? If you answered yes, then softball officiating is for you. You can be a professional umpire and enjoy privileges like travel to exotic places, being admired by your peers, being seen as a leader in your community, and making the kind of money that you deserve. Don’t let this opportunity slip away! Call your local association now and register. Make the call so you can make the calls!!

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

In fact, if anyone can show me another example of where there is a "Call for Umpire Recruits", I would be glad to buy you a cold one.

You can send that beer along my way...

Every year, at the same location as the softball sign-ups for the kids, I plant my butt at a table with a sign saying, "Umpires Needed", and each year I get at least 1 or 2 that sign up, take the classes/clinics, and work some. And about a third of those stay with it through the season and into the next seasons. In my current group, more than half of my people were recruited in exactly that way.

[Hoosier_Dave]

The number of officials who are willing to do grade school level sports will continue to decline as long as
1. Parents are allowed to yell as officials.
2. Coaches are allowed to yell at officials.
3. Game fees remain at nominal levels.
4. Free time keeps declining.

1 & 2. It's our culture. We allow high profile, high $$ athletes to act like 2-year-olds on the playing field/court (pick your sport). Taunting, yelling, violence, etc. with little accountability. We allow high profile coaches to act like 2-year-olds yelling, stomping feet, throwing tantrums with little accountability.

3. More demand for officials. Soccer and softball are now well developed down to 5-year-olds. There's more demand for officials at these junior levels which takes away from the pool of officials at upper grade school and high school levels.

4. Gen X'ers and Y'ers are less tolerant of harrassment and abuse. They aren't willing to put up with all the hassles for a $10 game fee. They can get work elsewhere or don't need the money in the first place.

5. More demands on limited free time of officials. Most officials have children involved in soccer/football/BB/softball, add to that speech, band, etc. There just isn't the free time.

I don't do football anymore. Didn't have the free time and it wasn't worth the hassles.

We will need a cultural shift away from violence to mutual respect before this changes. I'm not really optimistic.

JMHO

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Hoosier_Dave

They aren't willing to put up with all the hassles for a $10 game fee.
JMHO

Neither would I!!! Heck, rec leagues around here are paying $25-30 a game with strict time limits ranging between 1 hour to 75 minutes.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

You can send that beer along my way...

Every year, at the same location as the softball sign-ups for the kids, I plant my butt at a table with a sign saying, "Umpires Needed", and each year I get at least 1 or 2 that sign up, take the classes/clinics, and work some.

That may be something to consider next year!!!!!

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

You can send that beer along my way...

Every year, at the same location as the softball sign-ups for the kids, I plant my butt at a table with a sign saying, "Umpires Needed", and each year I get at least 1 or 2 that sign up, take the classes/clinics, and work some. And about a third of those stay with it through the season and into the next seasons. In my current group, more than half of my people were recruited in exactly that way.

Glad to