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-   -   Is this what happens when the economy is in the toilet? (https://forum.officiating.com/softball/52051-what-happens-when-economy-toilet.html)

Stu Clary Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:29pm
Is this what happens when the economy is in the toilet?
 
We had our first slow pitch meeting of the year...LOTS of new faces.

PtotheB Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:32pm
I've been noticing the same thing here.

NCASAUmp Wed Mar 04, 2009 07:30am
I've noticed that when the economy goes down the drain or when gas prices skyrocket, teams drop out. The first thing that people drop are the unnecessary expenses, and softball is sadly towards the top of that list.

IRISHMAFIA Wed Mar 04, 2009 07:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NCASAUmp (Post 585253)
I've noticed that when the economy goes down the drain or when gas prices skyrocket, teams drop out. The first thing that people drop are the unnecessary expenses, and softball is sadly towards the top of that list.
Compared to other items which involves entertainmant/physical fitness dollars, softball is an inexpensive, long term distraction. Don't see the decline in teams as much as an increase in the umpire community.

The issue for us is to make the umpiring attractive so these new umpires don't just disappear when things get better.

CajunNewBlue Wed Mar 04, 2009 08:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA (Post 585258)
Compared to other items which involves entertainmant/physical fitness dollars, softball is an inexpensive, long term distraction. Don't see the decline in teams as much as an increase in the umpire community.

The issue for us is to make the umpiring attractive so these new umpires don't just disappear when things get better.
Hire bikini models to do clinics? that would make it more attractive for me. :D

NCASAUmp Wed Mar 04, 2009 08:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA (Post 585258)
Compared to other items which involves entertainmant/physical fitness dollars, softball is an inexpensive, long term distraction. Don't see the decline in teams as much as an increase in the umpire community.

The issue for us is to make the umpiring attractive so these new umpires don't just disappear when things get better.
Every time gas prices jump, I see teams not return and tourneys with lower numbers. Softball is not inexpensive when it costs $450-500 per team ($40-50 per player), plus gas to get to and from the fields, plus equipment such as new balls and bats (and we all know how much those bats can run), shoes, maybe a new glove...

Then there are the secondary costs, such as going out with the team to the bars afterwards, finding a babysitter, etc.

This sport isn't cheap, and when families are worried about finances, these entertainment expenses (and that's exactly what they are) are first to go.

NCASAUmp Wed Mar 04, 2009 08:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CajunNewBlue (Post 585263)
Hire bikini models to do clinics? that would make it more attractive for me. :D
As long as Mike isn't the clinician. ;)

CajunNewBlue Wed Mar 04, 2009 08:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NCASAUmp (Post 585266)
As long as Mike isn't the clinician. ;)
"bikini models" not fat ugly guys in bikinis... well i dont know mike.... but i know guys around here. :p

NCASAUmp Wed Mar 04, 2009 08:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CajunNewBlue (Post 585267)
"bikini models" not fat ugly guys in bikinis... well i dont know mike.... but i know guys around here. :p
Beards and bikinis do not mix. ;)

CajunNewBlue Wed Mar 04, 2009 08:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NCASAUmp (Post 585269)
Beards and bikinis do not mix. ;)
Word. ;)

SWFLguy Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:50am
same here
 
several new faces---sadly the economy will also result in fewer high school games next season. The FHSAA has reduced varsity schedules from 25 to 20 games for the 2010 season. JV games will be cut to 15.

IRISHMAFIA Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NCASAUmp (Post 585265)
Every time gas prices jump, I see teams not return and tourneys with lower numbers. Softball is not inexpensive when it costs $450-500 per team ($40-50 per player), plus gas to get to and from the fields, plus equipment such as new balls and bats (and we all know how much those bats can run), shoes, maybe a new glove...

Then there are the secondary costs, such as going out with the team to the bars afterwards, finding a babysitter, etc.

This sport isn't cheap, and when families are worried about finances, these entertainment expenses (and that's exactly what they are) are first to go.
#1. Those rates are too high :D
#2. Actually, I was referring to league play where travel is limited and the spouse does the babysitting.

Ref Ump Welsch Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:41pm
You'll know when the economy's bad when the strippers show up at the umpires' meetings! :eek:

tcblue13 Wed Mar 04, 2009 01:02pm
I am about to believe that our association has too many umpires for the games we have. I got my schedule yesterday. Way fewer games than in the past. I used to ave 2-3 games a week and this season I have 5 games (1 DH) for the whole season. I hope I get some fill in work because I need to keep the rust off the mechanics. After the fees to the Assoc and the State, new equipment etc. It almost seems hardly worth it. But, I'll hang in there w/out griping (too much) because I love the old Ball Field.

NCASAUmp Wed Mar 04, 2009 01:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA (Post 585348)
#1. Those rates are too high
Agreed! I'm not 100% certain, but I believe those are the rates.

Quote:
Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
#2. Actually, I was referring to league play where travel is limited and the spouse does the babysitting.
As was I. We also have a bunch of coed teams in the area, and it's quite common for couples to play on the same team. Couples that play together...


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