I just got my schedule for a tournament this weekend. Don't really like the format the UIC uses, so I thought I would check with "my buddies on the board" to see how your tournament schedules work.

The UIC of this group uses a 1 on 1 off format. So I am scheduled to start at 8am and finish at 9pm - only calling 5 games all day. Usually, I am more tired from waiting than from calling the games. Also, it seems like it is harder to get into the flow of the tournament.

The format I prefer is the Plate - Field - Off format. With this format you can schedule a morning crew and an afternoon crew. It allows you to get into a good flow and you only have to spend 1/2 of a day to call the same amount of games.

What do y'all think?


Gary

[Edited by ntxblue on May 10th, 2002 at 12:06 PM]

Gary.......

We usually use the three man rotation like you unless we are extremely short of umpires.......then it may be work till you drop.........grin

The only time I have seen the 4 man you mentioned (1 on 1 off) is in State tournament play late in the year (Tx in July).

But that is usually more of a way to have plenty of umpires and make sure everybody gets the same # of games on Saturday......Sunday is usually done on a selection basis by the UIC.

Joel

Tournament Schedules
 

Gary,

I agreeeeeee with you. I get kinda out of it working 1 on
1 off. We normally work 2 on - 1 off, unless, as Joel said,
we are short then work till drop....Saturday's tournament I
have is 2 on 1 off until my last set, then I have three of
'em in a row, which is great with me. I am doing my first
USSSA tournament, so had to print the rules from on-line...
Hope Mike does not note that......[just funning Mike]

glen

We usually work two on one off most of the time, unless Mike is the UIC then who knows.
Just kidding Mike!!!!!!

For FP here in AZ, it's two on, one off. Anywhere from two to six games in a day.

I don't do SP, but I have heard of guys having anywhere from 7-10 games in a row in a tournament. One man "crew".

Thanks for the replies.

Now I just have to figure out how to get him to change the future tournament schedules. Part of me says, "Just don't work the tournament." But the umpire in me says, "I can't wait to get out on the field."

Why is everyone suddenly picking on Mike?

Anyway, most of the tournaments that I work around here, Gary, are 2 on and 1 off. I am still amazed that we have not worked any of the same tournaments. Where is this tournament that you are working this weekend? I got a call the other day regarding one somewhere down there in the Metromess, but had to decline since I was already promised to my daughter. (Seems she wants to come back home from college for the summer. Can't seem to convince her otherwise... ;))

Scott

That's right! I work'em to death, but I always have refreshments available :)

In my area, there is always a problem getting umpires to work state tournaments. Many want special treatment, some believe they deserve it. We do our best to work around everyone's personal schedule as it is the only way to fill all the slots.

There are time where I will have two fields in a two and two schedule while the others are on a three-man rotation, but not necessarily the same three umpires all day. It can get tricky and there are days where I have to cover a game or two. I don't have a problem with that, but I cannot help other umpires, if necessary, on one field when I'm working another.

Oh well, whatch ya gonna do?

I prefer to use the plate-bases-off rotation when I've got 3 to a field. If I've got 4 to a field - luxury time - I'll have them do 1 on & 1 off. But the last time I had 4 to a field was a couple of years ago.

Steve M

Tournament Rotation
 

We use 4 or 5 games in a row for our rotation because we our short umpires in our area and our guys hate sitting. Umpire and go home