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Well, I feel differently from some of you, and I know I am not alone in feeling the way I feel.
I have been afforded many opportunities in ASA. Perhaps it's the leadership role taken by SMSUA. My first year as an SMSUA member, I worked the dish at a regional final and worked a Western National. I've had numerous other opportunities in ASA, high school and community college ball under the auspices of SMSUA. As a trainer and mentor here, I do have a problem with folks working for Brand X, Y or Z. We are very fortunate in that we have an ASA JO invitational type tournament every weekend from March through July, and September-October -- unless we have ASA championship play scheduled for a weekend. So, we have lots of opportunities to wear our ASA uniforms. I feel those folks who are working the other brands up here are taking money from my pocket and from our umpire organization. It is no secret that our training is superior to that offered by others (if they even offer training -- and from the horror stories I have heard I doubt they do much if any training). Heck, one of the high mucky-mucks from Brand X went through our SMSUA training. I feel someone who goes through ASA training in our association should be loyal to ASA if they seek assignments to championship play. IMHO, no matter where they are located, umpires working for other softball organizations should not openly expect assignments to ASA championship play.
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John An ucking fidiot |
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Does the term "independent contractor" mean anything to you? What would compel someone to pass up $35-$40/game to work for $25/game? Loyalty? The opportunity to take a week's vacation and travel to an ASA natiional to work for $18-$20? Wake up and smell the cost of living. |
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You can go work wherever you want; just don't expect an organization to give you the best assignments if you do not contribute to that organization when needed. |
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Many of us would do it for nothing and I'm sure some on this board have been there and done that. |
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I just work to have fun. I want to be the best, yes, but I don't care about the money or the big game.
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Scott It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to have to paint it. |
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I have always chosen hobbies that have challenged me in one way or another. When I was in Alaska I earned my private pilots license. It was a very challenging but very expensive hobby. Officiating is also challenging if approached the right way but it also happens to pay for gas. Would I do it for free? Probably, at least to some extent but not as much as I do now.
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I'm going to say what I'm positive others are thinking.
Would I do it for free? Hell no. Put up with whiney players (adult league) or obnoxious parents (youth... and adult league) without something for my efforts? Not on your life. Is it about the money? No. Don't confuse "wanting a little something for my troubles" with "money, money, money." Gas prices are high. I have a mortgage. I'm away from my wife. Have I or would I volunteer now and then? Absolutely. My first 4 years behind the plate were actually spent volunteering for local kids' games - kids that could otherwise be hanging around in the streets and getting into trouble. I certainly enjoy calling ball, and if the group is a good group, I'll gladly do it. But if my assignor asked me to call ball for free for a month, I'd tell him he's nucking futs!
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Dave I haven't decided if I should call it from the dugout or the outfield. Apparently, both have really great views! Screw green, it ain't easy being blue! I won't be coming here that much anymore. I might check in now and again. |
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First off, I want to know what this has to do with needing money?
Second, you are not reading the posts. The issue was raised over making more money working a local game or less working an ASA national. Again, no where was it suggested anyone umpire for free, in general. |
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I gotta call BS on these quotes guys. Thinking back on your umpiring career, take away the money you were paid and you would do this for free? It has to do a little with the $$$. To practice what you preach, I suggest you do an entire year for free, no cash payments or reimbursements of any kind, including paying for your food/drink at the concessions.
I am into this (umpiring) for more than the money, but the money is part of it. It has to be and to insinuate the money doesn't matter is not quite truthful. |
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Dave I haven't decided if I should call it from the dugout or the outfield. Apparently, both have really great views! Screw green, it ain't easy being blue! I won't be coming here that much anymore. I might check in now and again. |
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In return for some venison, of course.
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Dave I haven't decided if I should call it from the dugout or the outfield. Apparently, both have really great views! Screw green, it ain't easy being blue! I won't be coming here that much anymore. I might check in now and again. |
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If it were about the money, then I wouldn't be umpiring. Case in point. So far this year, I am in the hole financially where umpiring is concerned. The closest I can work on a regular basis the type of ball I want to work is 40 miles away, though I frequently work as much as 100 miles away. (Once this year, I worked a tournament that was almost 300 miles from my house.) When you factor in the gas, wear and tear on my vehicle and my equipment, the food that I do have to purchase, the upgrades in equipment and uniforms, the dues to all the various organizations and local associations, the money for training...etc., so far this year I have paid to umpire. Literally. Free would be a break. (It would imply that at least I broke even) Last year, because I spent a little less on upgrades and was able to work a full collegiate and high school season (health problems kept me to just half a season this year), I actually earned right at $1,000. That was a banner year!
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Scott It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to have to paint it. Last edited by Skahtboi; Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 02:43pm. |
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Steve M |
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The only local ball is rec league stuff, and while I have helped train these umpires year after year, it is not what I want to work.
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Scott It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to have to paint it. Last edited by Skahtboi; Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 02:48pm. |
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Scott It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to have to paint it. |
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