Age of umps

[IHSAIllini]

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.