Age of umps

IHSAIllini · #1 (**permalink**) Wed Jun 25, 2003, 03:28pm

Okay, I've got a question for those of you who umpire in local leagues. At what age do you start training umpires, and what is the traning composed of?

Around here we start with 12-13 y/o umpire trainees, who are eligible to receive pay as soon as they turn 14 due to standards enforced on several downstate leagues by IDOL (Illinois Department of Labor). I myself started umpiring in this league when I was 12, but it was before IDOL made such a mess of the younger years. (Translation: I got paid.

) So when I say my kids, I really mean kids.

Of course, with a local league, one can argue shorthandedness. That's my vision on why we start early. Plus, some of the kids are really good. I was fair, but I've gotten better. (It was about six years ago now...)

So, to restate the question, at what age do you locals start accepting umpires, and what has your experience been with that? I am curious to know how it fares outside my hamlet.

DaveASA/FED · #2 (**permalink**) Wed Jun 25, 2003, 04:10pm

In our league we try to start them from 13-14. I think it is very dependant on the individual. I have seen some 13 year olds that are more mature and have a better understanding of the game than some 16 year olds. Currently I have (3) 14 year olds, (2) 15 year olds. For how it works, I have 2 young ladies that I would put up against any young blue. And I have a few that still need work. My experience is that it is a lot of work to develop the young (inexperienced) umpires, and as I have said you get about 2 out of 5 that you are ok with putting a blue shirt on for a long term thing. IMO it is an investment into the future, again a big investment, and you are going to hear it from coaches and fans but if you work with them on positioning and get them to read the book they can develop into a very good umpires.

Rick Vietti · #3 (**permalink**) Wed Jun 25, 2003, 05:51pm

In our local softball youth leagues we have regular umpires doing the umpiring. We do not actively recruit youth umpires.

I brought my son who was 15 last year into umpiring this level of ball and he has done great. He has a good grasp of the game and the responsibilities. In fact he worked in the high school association this last spring at age 15 1/2 doing jv games.

What he grasped the most was, that he could make a pretty good wage for very few hours a week. This has enabled him to buy his first vehicle.

Again, I agree that for young umpires to move up or to enjoy umpiring, it takes a lot of mentoring.

IHSAIllini · #4 (**permalink**) Thu Jun 26, 2003, 12:13pm

Wow, they let 15 1/2 y/o umps work HSA games by you? Round these parts, you have to be 17 to do it - and take an open book test.

Rick Vietti · #5 (**permalink**) Thu Jun 26, 2003, 12:20pm

Several criteria dictated him being able to join our association.

* No state association age requirements have ever been defined.

* My son was already certified by ASA, NSA and had umpired several tournaments the last year.

* He looks and acts like he is 18 (mature for his age)

* We needed umpires and looking at our group, he was probably more qualified than some of the older umpires that we have in the association.