Umpire Recruitment

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by SRW

Some of you probably saw in the ASA April Rules and Clarifications that we had success using Craigslist to recruit for umpires this spring.

We held our first introduction meeting of our second training session last night. Of the 40+ that responded to the adds, we had 16 show up to the training.

Although not a HUGE turnout, we still consider it worth the investment ($25 for the add). Heck, if 10 of them stick with it, then we're up 10 umpires for a grand total of $2.50 per person for recruiting costs.

Any other ideas that are working from around the country?

The economy seems to be doing a pretty good job at umpire recruitment in some areas...

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

The economy seems to be doing a pretty good job at umpire recruitment in some areas...

I will increase my registrations by 35% or more. From what I understand, baseball is about the same.

Of course, the economy helped. Chrysler closed their plant a couple months ago. Sucks that these guys lost their jobs, great for the officiating community, though.

[TwoBits]

Did the first tournament of the season last week. Several new faces umpiring around the ball park. Some have had their hours cut and are looking to make some extra money. We've lost a few umpires, too, as they are working extra hours on the weekends in second jobs.

The most disturbing thing I saw this weekend was watching an older gentleman drag a rake around the infield all day. In the past, working on the grounds crew has been a job reserved for high school boys.

This economy is terrible.

[tcblue13]

We have too many umpires. The schedules are so thin that we don't stay busy and we barely make up our fees and equipment costs.