eddieq
The Great and Powerful Q
Thank you, sir. January 2 of this year was my starting point. Been a long, hard time, but my health, lifestyle and game has improved as a result.
Any How much do you make per game?
- Thread starter spos21ram
- Start date
Thank you, sir. January 2 of this year was my starting point. Been a long, hard time, but my health, lifestyle and game has improved as a result.
Good to hear! I'm stuck at 50 lost, still got 50 more to go to reach my goal. If my wife would only quit her love for baking...........
:Honey, I'm so proud you lost 5 more lbs, I baked this pan of brownies!"
"10 lbs now, here's a cake!"
I have no willpower
Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled thread!
:Honey, I'm so proud you lost 5 more lbs, I baked this pan of brownies!"
"10 lbs now, here's a cake!"
I have no willpower
Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled thread!
Kabbie
Blue Jay
Thought they maxed you out at $18.50, congrats on it being $20
You don't need to call more strikes, just make your spot behind the dish bigger than a beer coaster to help us hit it
You guys deserve alot more than what you make around here as game fees rise every year but umps fees remain the same, no joke
ill go work for the Y they are up to $24 a game now
NCASAUmp
Un-Retired
Good to hear! I'm stuck at 50 lost, still got 50 more to go to reach my goal. If my wife would only quit her love for baking...........
:Honey, I'm so proud you lost 5 more lbs, I baked this pan of brownies!"
"10 lbs now, here's a cake!"
I have no willpower
Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled thread!
You know, I'll be happy to take one for the team if you want to send those baked goods my way. Anything to help a bro out.
thaynes
Active Member
I enjoy playing to much. Maybe ill take up one night next year. I dont remember saying they were bad? As a whole the umps around here are pretty darn good. Unfortunately there are 2 or 3 that are just horrendous but as a whole I dont have any complaints. Im about as ump friendly a player you'll ever find
spos21ram
The Legend
That's great for slow pitch
sjury
The Old Man
The guys around here make $18 to $20 a game, if it's for the city or county they actually get a paycheck every two weeks, minus taxes and FICA...some are making more as they get the standard government pay raise each year.
As far as what umpires are worth. It's a job, like any other job. You can go to most any business, and find 10% that go above and beyond, 10% that aren't worth the air they breath, and 80% that do their job. I don't think umpiring is much different. Players seem to focus on the one or two guys in their area that legitimately suck and use them as the baseline. Fact is every year there are positions that open up and all the big talkers have the chance at signing up for these "over" paid positions and don't. I umpired and refereed volleyball for the county, and the funny thing is the upper leagues in softball, I had no issues ever, but in the rec leagues there was a nightly issue with something, strike zone, foul ball, runner put out, etc... Samething in volleyball, the upper level players guys and girls would call their own net, and lifts almost before the whistle, and the coed 6's would argue calls every game... if it's easy money then there would be a waiting list for future officials.
As far as what umpires are worth. It's a job, like any other job. You can go to most any business, and find 10% that go above and beyond, 10% that aren't worth the air they breath, and 80% that do their job. I don't think umpiring is much different. Players seem to focus on the one or two guys in their area that legitimately suck and use them as the baseline. Fact is every year there are positions that open up and all the big talkers have the chance at signing up for these "over" paid positions and don't. I umpired and refereed volleyball for the county, and the funny thing is the upper leagues in softball, I had no issues ever, but in the rec leagues there was a nightly issue with something, strike zone, foul ball, runner put out, etc... Samething in volleyball, the upper level players guys and girls would call their own net, and lifts almost before the whistle, and the coed 6's would argue calls every game... if it's easy money then there would be a waiting list for future officials.
beernbombs
Abby's dad
Paid by the city, direct deposit, taxes etc. withheld. Relatively easy money as I see it. There is a level of effort and commitment involved. Be in position, know the rules, wear the proper uniform. The ones that go into it thinking that easy money means no work involved turn out to be the worst umpires.
MrEye
Addicted to Softballfans
Anywhere from $18 - $25, which is fair. What is a little disheartening is the socialist mentality of it all - I bust my butt and am regularly complemented ("Nice hustle, Blue" "How'd you get all the way out here?") and get paid the same amount as the guy that makes a call at 2nd base from behind the plate, doesn't button hook, doesn't trail the runner, etc.
Like I said, just a little disheartening. Not a major thing. Don't bust my balls.
Like I said, just a little disheartening. Not a major thing. Don't bust my balls.
IrishBlue
Addicted to Softballfans
Most agree
Mr Eye,
Many on here would tend to agree with you. It's tough to get tarred with the brush intended for those who don't bother. There are many umpires who do and there are many umpires that don't. If you do then players more often than not will forget that you do. If you don't then players will ride you and ***** and moan and complain that no one does. That's life. Call the game you got and let others call the game they got. You don't have to be working to be better than them every day, work to be better than yourself every day, do your best and go home proud.
Mr Eye,
Many on here would tend to agree with you. It's tough to get tarred with the brush intended for those who don't bother. There are many umpires who do and there are many umpires that don't. If you do then players more often than not will forget that you do. If you don't then players will ride you and ***** and moan and complain that no one does. That's life. Call the game you got and let others call the game they got. You don't have to be working to be better than them every day, work to be better than yourself every day, do your best and go home proud.
Jimmy34
Board Prick
I think if you approach umpiring softball the way you want to see an umpire work in a game you're playing it shows the team that you care...that goes a long way...I kinda notice that an umpire who has actually played the game tends to see the game from a better perspective...if you are in a one man game and you are hovering over the play at 2B, if you are right or wrong on a bang bang play, they noticed the hustle...
I remember our UIC telling me one time we need to "sell" the call and most importantly there's usually 20 batters and 2 pitchers, it's better to piss off 2 pitchers than 20 batters...
I remember our UIC telling me one time we need to "sell" the call and most importantly there's usually 20 batters and 2 pitchers, it's better to piss off 2 pitchers than 20 batters...
irishmafia
Addicted to Softballfans
That's poor advice.
Jimmy34
Board Prick
I don't think it is and you're allowed your opinion, which is usually negative so I don't pay to much attention to yours...thanks though...
irishmafia
Addicted to Softballfans
Really? Such apathy and ignorance and you call me negative? You think it is good advice to prioritize one's call based on from where more flack may come?
Like I said, bad advice for a good umpiring. You want to be a GAGA, feel free, your loss.
Jimmy34
Board Prick
I call you negative because you seem to always post sarcastically or negative, you know, if the shoe fits, wear it...
And that statement of 2 pitchers and 20 batters I mean as most umpires have their "individual" strike zone, meaning each umpires strike zone perspective is different as are their styles of umpiring...the art of "selling" a close call is important along with making sure the strike zone, however it is called, must be consistent...and if you are smart, keeping the strike zone "tight" (most umpires have a wider strike zone then is actually "rule book") you are making sure that 2 pitchers are upset, not 20 hitters...open up that strike zone and you are pissing off 20 guys...
We went through hours of the "zone" in ASA where we had an actual 10' and 12' ceiling and a 6' laser line and also a chart of exactly where a 6' high pitch was a strike along with 7' - 12' height pitch could only be a strike...we also worked the guys on corners of the plate etc...more than 1/2 the guys, rooks and vets were wrong in their calls...every single umpire, youth baseball thru major leagues and rec league softball thru majors has their own strike zone, however wrong that may sound, it's a FACT...
I've umpired and played the game a long time and if you don't think what I said as good advice you are entitled to your opinion but many umpires would find themselves having less on the field issues if they hustle, stay consistent, sell the calls and keep the strike zone tight...have a good one mr negative...
Jimmy34
Board Prick
I'm not stating a way of life...and you're right about the disadvantages the pitchers have, BUT, the fact is the strike zone, if you go by the rules, is so much smaller than you think...most ASA guys go by where it lands, which is why some leagues use a plate/mat rule, and players are always crying about "it's not where it lands" but in ASA, according to pure fact based on our extensive testing, if you call it where it lands, keeping in mind the "batters stance at the plate" and pitch height, using the landing spot as a guide can be very helpful...
Example, a pitch thrown at 10' height which lands more than 12" behind dead center of the home plate is near impossible to call a strike...remember in ASA the strike zone is considered using an imaginary batter in a "normal" batting stance...the "box" is only for the purpose of keeping the batter in a designated area...I see a lot of guys 2 step, or run the box and if you call it where they are standing it's impossible to enforce a strike zone...it's an imaginary batter...
We spent hours on landing areas of the ball behind home plate and based on the imaginary batter, you'd be surprised what is and isn't a strike according to the rule book...opening up the strike zone, because the pitcher is at a disadvantage, is going against the rules...
Based on ASA rules the strike zone is not as big as umpires call it...if you called the zone 100% by the rules, you'd have a walkathon...
I'm not arguing anyone's abilities nor stating how you have to call a game, just saying based on my experience as a player for over 30 yrs and as an ASA umpire for over 15 years, I call it the game as close to the rules as I can...I've thrown ONE person out in those 15 years for crashing a helpless catcher...I can count on one hand the true verbal altercations I've had and I feel being a player and umpiring I have a better perspective of the game than a non playing umpire...I'm behind the plate for balls and strikes, once that ball is hit I'm out and in the right position (most of the time) and bust my ass to be in the proper position based on the play...in NY we got $45 for an hours worth of work, that's insane money so I hustled my ass off so I can keep that job...again, my thoughts and that's it...
irishmafia
Addicted to Softballfans
Are you kidding me? The strike zone it HUGE compared to what players think. I stand 6' and my strike zone is a plane of 7.3 sq ft
What a load of ****! If this is the type of umpiring you have in your area, I feel sorry for the players.
Based on ASA rules the strike zone is not as big as umpires call it...if you called the zone 100% by the rules, you'd have a walkathon...
Where do you come up with this bull****?
Well, if we are going to whip them out, I'll take my 48 years of umpiring, 2 World Cups, Hooter's Championship & 7 NC, 5 of the Major level, no to mention multiple National, Regional and State Clinics as a clinician and UIC of 16U NC, I have a pretty good idea of how it is done right at all levels, in all games.
A good umpire hustles and applies the rules as written tempered of common sense. I believe what you call negative is what I call accurate. Just because it doesn't agree with your belief or how you/players want it done makes it neither wrong or negative.
But it is your game....oh, wait a minute, it isn't YOUR game. It is the player's game to be played under the rules of the association they elected to play. In my 42 years of playing, I preferred knowing what to expect walking on the field, not wait until the game starts to figure out how the umpire is gong to work the game. But that is just the negative me
Jimmy34
Board Prick
Are you kidding me? The strike zone it HUGE compared to what players think. I stand 6' and my strike zone is a plane of 7.3 sq ft
What a load of ****! If this is the type of umpiring you have in your area, I feel sorry for the players.
Where do you come up with this bull****?
Well, if we are going to whip them out, I'll take my 48 years of umpiring, 2 World Cups, Hooter's Championship & 7 NC, 5 of the Major level, no to mention multiple National, Regional and State Clinics as a clinician and UIC of 16U NC, I have a pretty good idea of how it is done right at all levels, in all games.
A good umpire hustles and applies the rules as written tempered of common sense. I believe what you call negative is what I call accurate. Just because it doesn't agree with your belief or how you/players want it done makes it neither wrong or negative.
But it is your game....oh, wait a minute, it isn't YOUR game. It is the player's game to be played under the rules of the association they elected to play. In my 42 years of playing, I preferred knowing what to expect walking on the field, not wait until the game starts to figure out how the umpire is gong to work the game. But that is just the negative me
You're the one who threw "horrible advice" out there...you post negativity quite often...advice is advice, it's from a persons perspective...you take it or not...when a player walks on the field they don't want a know it all stickler who's always right and never makes mistakes...they want the game called consistently and fair, they want hustle...we all make calls that could go both ways but if you handle yourself with class and dignity and don't try and act like you are all that matters the games usually go well and you get the players respect, that's all I'm saying...
If you've done clinics than you know what I say is common sense and you would also know the strike zone most umpires call is incorrect on a fairly consistent basis...selling a call can show you are adamant about your call and lessens the complaints...keeping the strike zone "real" and consistent might anger some pitchers but it'll help the hitters gain confidence in your skills...
You tell me old guy with so many accomplishments, who do you get more arguments from, hitters or pitchers...if it's hitters you might want to either educate an entire population of players or get some help with your strike zone...
irishmafia
Addicted to Softballfans
That's because it is horrible advice for an umpire, and for a player if that is what they will expect from a good umpire. I once had an umpire explain to his rookie partner that a ball that hits the ground in front of the batter's back foot is a strike and if behind, a ball. I was the catcher that the umpire did not recognize. After the game, I got ahold of the rookie and reminded him of what we taught him at the school and he should take anything he heard that night with a grain of salt. Problem is this same umpire told damn near every player the same thing, so when a good umpire made the right call, the player would get upset because, "the guy last night" told him what the real rule was, even though it is 100% wrong. Mechanics and rules are not a matter of convenience.
I don't get anymore crap from the pitchers or hitters and I really don't give a ****, I'm not there to accommodate the misconceptions. I'm there to do the job, not make the game easier for those who cannot play within the rules.
BTW, started umpiring @ 14 in 66. Played until I was 52. What's your point?
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IrishBlue
Addicted to Softballfans
Math Problem
You seem to have overlooked the hundreds of umpires who will umpire after you. Do anything to the strike zone apart from call each pitch as you see it and you screwing over every committed and hard working umpire that calls balls and strikes on those players after you.
You simply cannot come into it with the attitude of "I'd rather annoy 2 pitchers than 20 batters" because you are automatically coming into the game with pre-conceived notions that are unfair.
Teach your umpires what the strike zone is, teach them how to be in position to see it and call it. Teach them how to do so consistently. With proper teaching comes authority on the field and respect from the players. Teach them how to guesstimate and you might as well not bother. The strike is judged from the balls position through the strike zone, not on where it lands. If you want to call balls and strikes based on where the ball lands then go find a league that uses a mat and try to stay awake, for all of our sakes.
You seem to have overlooked the hundreds of umpires who will umpire after you. Do anything to the strike zone apart from call each pitch as you see it and you screwing over every committed and hard working umpire that calls balls and strikes on those players after you.
You simply cannot come into it with the attitude of "I'd rather annoy 2 pitchers than 20 batters" because you are automatically coming into the game with pre-conceived notions that are unfair.
Teach your umpires what the strike zone is, teach them how to be in position to see it and call it. Teach them how to do so consistently. With proper teaching comes authority on the field and respect from the players. Teach them how to guesstimate and you might as well not bother. The strike is judged from the balls position through the strike zone, not on where it lands. If you want to call balls and strikes based on where the ball lands then go find a league that uses a mat and try to stay awake, for all of our sakes.
irishmafia
Addicted to Softballfans
No, you advice is wrong. It doesn't take much to teach people the lazy man's way of doing things. It is much harder to teach people to raise their game when starting with bad habits and mechanics than it is to improve their game when they start with the good habits and mechanics.
Than again, you sound more like the guy who would rather kick a dog to get it to move than calling the dog to another position.
About 8 years ago we told the slow pitch leagues that we covered that we wanted the same pay for slow pitch as fast pitch. It was only fair since the games took just as long. Scheduling games every hour and fifteen minutes doesn't mean much if the game takes an hour and a half. Tough to justify a lower wage on an hour and a half game when the fast pitch tournaments were done in an hour and twenty minutes. The leagues left and we don't miss them.
Rec & tournament girls games pay $45 per umpire for 2 umpires or $65-70 for one umpire. Most of these leagues have a no new inning after 1:45 by our contract.
It's not bad money. But people do have to keep in mind the time and expense of becoming an official. Umpires are not paid just for their time on the field. Just like a mechanic isn't paid solely for the time he stands under your car. All of the additional expenses justify the pay that umpires get.
Rec & tournament girls games pay $45 per umpire for 2 umpires or $65-70 for one umpire. Most of these leagues have a no new inning after 1:45 by our contract.
It's not bad money. But people do have to keep in mind the time and expense of becoming an official. Umpires are not paid just for their time on the field. Just like a mechanic isn't paid solely for the time he stands under your car. All of the additional expenses justify the pay that umpires get.
irishmafia
Addicted to Softballfans
If your SP games are taking as long as the FP games, something ain't right.
Yeah. The defense!
Dakota Deerwood
Addicted to Softballfans
In South Carolina... (Sanctioned tournament ball).. $20/game (2 man crew), $25/game (1 man crew)... This applies to all the associations that are played here (ISA/Freedom/NSA/USSSA)