Level of Play vs Level of Pay

[#13]

In my current area, you get mileage for NCAA D1 and a set game fee for D2, D3. In NFHS, we have a higher game fee for Varsity vs. JV or Middle School. When it comes to ASA, whether you call Men's FP or a 10 year old Youth game, it is the same fee, which is less than 1/2 of a NFHS Varsity game.

I don't call strictly for the money (but it is nice at the higher levels). I work from home and it gives me a chance to get outside, get some exercise and I enjoy seeing the Youth go from level to level not too mention establishing relationships with the other folks in Blue. I have a great time out there, keep communication at a high level, seldom have any sportsmanlike problems and being a people person always is a plus to help out with coaches and game management.

My question is, why doesn't ASA pay different for different levels? Maybe it does in some other areas? The ASA booking agent in my area stated to tell him what our availability was on the calendar and what level we will or will not call. Given the same game fee for all levels, my response was I will call Youth only and a max of two days per week. I have seen the Mens FP and it certainly should have a higher game fee. It is much more intense than the biggest NFHS rival games, a higher level of ball and not too mention, we all know those folks like to let you know their opinions loud and clear no matter how stellar your positioning & judgment.

Anyone else ever felt this way?

[IRISHMAFIA]

ASA does not pay for games, the host does. ASA Code only sets minimums.

I have found that the higher level of play, the easier it is to umpire the game. But then again, I also give the same effort for a local league game that I do a national.

I do not change the game I offer based upon the level of play or pay. I would like to think that no good umpire would.

[AtlUmpSteve]

I guess it is a matter of opinion. My association has a price for all youth fastpitch, a different price for youth slowpitch, a third price for adult slowpitch, and a fourth price for adult fastpitch. However, every level and age of each category pays the same, and I expect (and require) that all umpires able to work any category be willing to call at all levels and ages I rate them as capable of calling.

This is part of the mentor and training relationship that we use so that every game has a senior official. Even in-park 10U requires an experienced official, and in order to provide training to newer umpires, the experienced umpires are expected to work the younger ages, too. If a senior umpire accepts 10U in-park to help the cause, it would be a double whammy to also pay him less than the 18 Gold he believes he should have that night; so we don't.

[3SPORT]

Pay and the rates that are applied seems to always be a floating target.
It usually depends on local, who gets the contract (assignor or an association), is part of what you get paid less an assigning fee.

Tournament pay also seems to differ than regular leagues.

Youth leagues are typically less than high school, and college is usually the best paid per game fees. College you do not do the volume of games that you do for your local youth or adult leagues.

There are lots of variables to the pay rate and how they are applied.

[wadeintothem]

Mens ball does deserve more.. around here the games are longer 145 and we get more based on that, as we should. The problem is we got a JO raise and so far it hasnt caught up to the men yet so there isnt the difference there should be isnt much at this time. As was stated - ASA has no involvement in our contracts. Mens ball is a little different because there is some NAFA involvement as well... since it seems the Male FP leagues pretty much cant get far enough away from ASA...

We also have differences based on sp/fp and JO time limits <140 >140 or no timer. One man is not allowed in JO or mens FP but it is done in SP.

[#13]

Thanks for the feedback folks. I always wondered about this.

Also, I totally agree w/IRISHMAFIA in that no good umpire would change their game based on the level of play.