ASA Rule; Access to,

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Some of us are more BLUE than GREEN. I would venture to say that most of us on this board actually work to get to the big tournament and game. Many are thrilled to get the nod because of our effort and work ethics, not necessarily because of longevity and/or availability.

Many of us would do it for nothing and I'm sure some on this board have been there and done that.

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.

[PtotheB]

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.

[NCASAUmp]

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!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

I'm away from my wife.

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.

[Dholloway1962]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Many of us would do it for nothing

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

I just work to have fun. but I don't care about the money

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.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Dholloway1962

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.

I have a better idea. Send me your game fees, and I'll hold it for ya.

In return for some venison, of course.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Dholloway1962

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.

I think you are totally missing what I am saying. (No...I know you are totally missing what I am saying.) Do I appreciate the money I receive? Of course. Do I need it, or is that the reason I umpire? No. The cost of umpiring is such that I need some compensation just to afford it. But it is a hobby to me. Nothing more. A hobby that happens to earn back what I put in to it, and sometimes just a fraction more. If I were doing it solely for the money, I could get a part time job at a local Wal-Mart and make a lot more.

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!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dholloway1962

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.

And if your UIC told you that he had a National for you to work, but couldn't help you out financially, you would say, "No thanks, I've got a big co-ed tournament this week for $25 a game".

[Dholloway1962]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And if your UIC told you that he had a National for you to work, but couldn't help you out financially, you would say, "No thanks, I've got a big co-ed tournament this week for $25 a game".

If there were no game fees, no travel expenses (assuming out of town), no hotel paid for (assuming out of town) you're right, I would say "no, but thank you". I'm sure most umpires would say the same.

[topper]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And if your UIC told you that he had a National for you to work, but couldn't help you out financially, you would say, "No thanks, I've got a big co-ed tournament this week for $25 a game".

Absolutely. Once I discovered the number of games worked and per game fee that ASA pays at it's nationals.

The notion that an umpire should be so "honored" to receive an assignment that they work at a reduced rate is somewhat insulting in that it suggests some sort of favor has been done to the official. Try that approach with your mechanic or accountant some time. Umpires provide a service and should be compensated accordingly based on the value of that service. "Bigger" games should pay those umpires whose abilities merit such assignments better than lesser games. This has not been ASA's philosophy in the past. This, and the discouragingly poor level of many of the umpires at the nationals I've attended as a fan, is why I have never accepted the "honor" of an ASA national assignment. I can make more money and enjoy working with more competent officials at a local tournament.

I, like many on this board, have invested a lot of time, effort, and money to get my game to a level where I can be considered for the types of assignments I dreamed of when I started. Yes, I'm proud when considered for these assignments, but don't feel I should be any more honored to work a game than the participants are to have me work it.

[MichaelVA2000]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And if your UIC told you that he had a National for you to work, but couldn't help you out financially, you would say, "No thanks, I've got a big co-ed tournament this week for $25 a game".

Depends on travel distance to the ASA National and how many games I would be assigned to work. I've been at ASA National's in the past where they wanted you to report at 8:00 AM with a last game of the day at 9:30 PM and only be scheduled to work four games during that time period at between $18.00 - $25.00 per game.

Usually with NSA or PONY tournaments, I'm assigned six or seven games per day (working two games and one game off) with payment between $35.00 - $40.00 per game. Sometimes NSA will also kick in a travel fee.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

First off, I want to know what this has to do with needing money?

If I'm gonna be away from her, I'd better be bringing home the bacon!

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

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.

Yeah, I guess I kinda missed that part, didn't I? I just saw a number of recent posts that said, "I don't do it for the money... I don't do it for the money..." I know a lot of us feel that way, but I can't believe every umpire that says that.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Yeah, I guess I kinda missed that part, didn't I? I just saw a number of recent posts that said, "I don't do it for the money... I don't do it for the money..." I know a lot of us feel that way, but I can't believe every umpire that says that.

Read above, and you will know what I am talking about. Can't speak for the others, but it has really cost me this year.

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.

[whiskers_ump]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

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.

I agree. I enjoy the umpiring. I will and have done it for nothing. I don't
live close to any of the games I call. Wanting the big game, they all are
big games.