This, at least in my area, is usually the reason. Sometimes, it is unpredictable if an umpire or two go down or call off after accepting an assignment.

OTOH, there are some umpiring whores out there that don't want to hear "one and one" and will not take an assignment if they know the format in advance.

To each their own, but I'm with Steve on this one.

And we all know some of those whores. The ones who'll tell you they are just as good in game 5-6-7-? as they are in game 1. Maybe they are - but that just means they are pacing themselves in every game and not giving any game the intensity it (players, partners, and the game itself) deserves.

Like Mike said, stuff happens - and then somebody else steps up and does more. In well run groups - Mike and Big Slick and some others I know are in this group - that's the exception, not the initial expectation.

Steve, you have never worked slow pitch for me.

A few years ago, I staffed 72 slots (4 fields, 9 games on each field, two umpires per game) with 10 umpires. Every umpire worked four in a row at some point, and everyone switched fields at some point in the day. Somehow, the tournament stayed on schedule and everything worked out. I still don't know how that happened, but I don't want to try it again.

Nope. I was actually supposed to do a slow pitch gig last weekend, but Luau "twisted" my arm by offering "milkshakes":D. And Sonny thought that was a good idea - so, naturally, I went & worked for Luau.
I know I'm somewhat biased, but I don't believe that the typical slow pitch game is as intense as the typical fast pitch game. I think you can do many more slow pitch games without losing focus or intensity.

Steve, be careful with that statement. There are some very intense slow pitch games that require a high level of concentration and focus. Dealing with some of the higher level "mashers" are more difficult that your ISC teams. Granted, the tournament I references was a women's tournament, however, standing for four hours still takes the toll on the body.

And I didn't get the milkshake offer. Looks like I have to fire off an email.