getting new officials ??

[Mountaineer]

I don't think anyone would disagree with the idea that it's worth more than $50 a game. In WV we get $50 for HS varsity and $40 for JV and make $130 for a college DH ($140 next year) with no mileage paid for any level. I have a college weekend trip coming up with 3 DH's - I'll make $390 and get no travel, have 2 overnights with meals . . . I'm guessing I'll clear under $250 . . . that's a shame.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

I don't think anyone would disagree with the idea that it's worth more than $50 a game. In WV we get $50 for HS varsity and $40 for JV and make $130 for a college DH ($140 next year) with no mileage paid for any level. I have a college weekend trip coming up with 3 DH's - I'll make $390 and get no travel, have 2 overnights with meals . . . I'm guessing I'll clear under $250 . . . that's a shame.

Doesn't the school provide you with your rooms??? I just got back from a two day, four game stint and all I had to pay for was food and the gas to get my van there.

[greymule]

Guy worked for me last year fixing a parquet floor and doing some painting and repairs to help me get a house ready for sale. Gave him my old snow-blower and lawn mower, since he said he could use them. Got to talking about sports. He had been a college quarterback (not small-time, either) and had played some baseball.

Since he seemed happy to have work from me, I figured he might like to pick up $42 cash a game for local little girls' FP that I assign. He said he wished he could, but he didn't think he'd have the time.

A few weeks later, I see him on TV accepting his Emmy award.

PS. In terms of pay around the country, remember that money in Nebraska is worth far more than money in New York City, where an overtime parking ticket is $64. I read somewhere that you can live better on $30,000 a year in Tucson than you can on $100,000 a year in San Francisco. (I'd prefer Tucson anyway.) Remember also that in Manhattan, a salary of $40,000 will allow you to live in a handyman special made of medium-grade cardboard.

[LIIRISHMAN]

Originally Posted by greymule

Guy worked for me last year fixing a parquet floor and doing some painting and repairs to help me get a house ready for sale. Gave him my old snow-blower and lawn mower, since he said he could use them. Got to talking about sports. He had been a college quarterback (not small-time, either) and had played some baseball.

Since he seemed happy to have work from me, I figured he might like to pick up $42 cash a game for local little girls' FP that I assign. He said he wished he could, but he didn't think he'd have the time.

A few weeks later, I see him on TV accepting his Emmy award.

PS. In terms of pay around the country, remember that money in Nebraska is worth far more than money in New York City, where an overtime parking ticket is $64. I read somewhere that you can live better on $30,000 a year in Tucson than you can on $100,000 a year in San Francisco. (I'd prefer Tucson anyway.) Remember also that in Manhattan, a salary of $40,000 will allow you to live in a handyman special made of medium-grade cardboard.

GreyMule is 100% right5. Everything is relevant when it comes to pay for officiating. A guy making $35 for a Varsity game is terrible. Most here have to take yearly tests and get rated by coaches or our peers. We know must of us do it because we love the game. It would be nice to know that the game loves us back.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Doesn't the school provide you with your rooms??? I just got back from a two day, four game stint and all I had to pay for was food and the gas to get my van there.

Nope. I think there are a couple of schools that you can get "their rate" at a hotel but they don't pay for your rooms. Sucks huh?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

Nope. I think there are a couple of schools that you can get "their rate" at a hotel but they don't pay for your rooms. Sucks huh?

Indeed it does.

[jimpiano]

Do the umpires in high school, NCAA, etc work as independent contractors or are they subject to IRS withholding?

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by jimpiano

Do the umpires in high school, NCAA, etc work as independent contractors or are they subject to IRS withholding?

In WV we are independent contractors. We are not subject to having the schools with hold taxes but we are supposed to claim the income. Personally, I claim it and write off all my equipment that I buy new each year. It's the mileage that causes me to make out like a bandit! My mileage alone increased my tax return this year by almost $2,700. (I should point out - that includes work and officiating mileage.)

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

In WV we are independent contractors. We are not subject to having the schools with hold taxes but we are supposed to claim the income. Personally, I claim it and write off all my equipment that I buy new each year. It's the mileage that causes me to make out like a bandit! My mileage alone increased my tax return this year by almost $2,700. (I should point out - that includes work and officiating mileage.)

I guess I don't understand how mileage "increased your tax return".

Mileage would reduce your net income, along with expenses for equipment, clothing, dues, attending clinics, etc.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by jimpiano

I guess I don't understand how mileage "increased your tax return".

Mileage would reduce your net income, along with expenses for equipment, clothing, dues, attending clinics, etc.

I have an accountant that does it for me - but at like 45 cents per mile - it reduced my income sufficiently and thus increased my return.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by jimpiano

Do the umpires in high school, NCAA, etc work as independent contractors or are they subject to IRS withholding?

All officials in amateur sports work as independent contractors and it is very important to keep it that way.

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

All officials in amateur sports work as independent contractors and it is very important to keep it that way.

Yes, I agree. I was just curious since mileage and hotel rooms were mentioned.

In the slow pitch arena in our area the amount of new umpires is low mainly because, I think, the leagues prefer to only pay for one umpire a game. The pay is not bad, but the resposibliity of running the game alone and making calls over the entire field of play is somewhat daunting to new offiicials.

I dont think increasing the pay, alone, would bring an influx of new blood.