You would think we could find more umpires. $100 for a DH(most of the time 4 hours) is pretty good. That is more that $20 an hour. That more than the coaches are making.

 

That's what I am talking about!

Umpires this year are by far the worst I have ever seen in quite some time. Some are truly pathetic and sad to see how bad they actually are.

 

I am glad to see that others have noticed the decline in the quality and competancy of the umpires calling the games this year. How many times have GRC4LIFE and Hilltopper ever agreed on anything? :lol: So it has to be true.

High School Umpires have to take the Part I test and pass to become eligible to umpire high school baseball. After the first year umpires must take the Part II test and score at least an 80 to be eligible for post season. Umpires are rated just like all the other officials.

 

All the associations that I know of have training programs and KHSAA offers a weekend camp every year that officals have to attend every 3 years to be eligible for post season ($200 weekend).

 

FYI - can't buy your umpire attire at Dick's, have to be serious about it since pants run in the $60 range, shirts $20 to $40, a mask is minimum of $70, chest protector is $70 to $150, plate shoes are $70 to $150, base shoes $50, ball bags are $11 apiece, the hats are $17 each and you need two of them. That is one color then all the umpires have at least 4 hats and 4 colors of shirts. (google Honigs or Gerry Davis Sports)

 

So spend your $25 and take the Part I test then spend your $400 and suit up and get on the field and make a difference. If not, then help recruit umpires for your region. Some are not cut out to be an umpire and they usually don't last more than a year or two.

 

Find 40 to 50 people a day per region willing to cut out from work early or drive like their pants are on fire to make these games and get home sometimes later than you do for $100 DH fee. Some drive over 100 miles round trip to do these games (depending on the region).

 

I understand your frustrations with officials and there is no excuse for poor performance or not knowing the rules, but most often belt high center of the plate fastballs and the failure to catch and throw lose more games than a missed or wrong call.

 

 

CCHS Dad,

Kudos for your most excellent and accurate post.:thumb: HT2005's posts remind me of the old Indian saying "Do not judge until you have walked a mile in his mocassins" (or something to that effect).

CCHS Dad,

Kudos for your most excellent and accurate post.:thumb: HT2005's posts remind me of the old Indian saying "Do not judge until you have walked a mile in his mocassins" (or something to that effect).

 

Most umpires do a very good job, however, some are pathetic (this year there are many more that fit into this category) and they are not accountable to anyone. There needs to be more accountability with their performance. Any other job that anyone does they are held accountable. I have seen some that are just there to take the check and run and could care less about how their calls affect the players on the field. Do the job right or don't do it. If you miss a call that is okay, but don't miss a call at 1st by more than a step twice in the same game. Don't call strikes at the players shoe strings.

No one is beating down the door to become an umpire from my understanding. As a result the quality has gone down in some areas. As you stated, you have been around baseball for a long time, maybe you can offer up your services and become an umpire? Or perhaps petition your local schools to increase umpire fees to draw out more qualified candidates in and around your area?

 

UTL,

Let me give you a little heads up on Mr. HT. He's been bashing umpires on here for several years. :deadhorse: In fact, we (HT and me) went through a similar verbal exercise a couple of years ago. IMHO, you're wasting your time trying to justify our existence to him. Agreed, some of us are not as "good" as we should be, just as numerous players and coaches fall short of their potential. If you are serious about being an umpire, at some point it should become a personal choice to work at your craft to improve (just as players and coaches do).As a sad fact, sheer numbers prevent the effective "weeding" of less than stellar officials by assignors in sparsely populated regions. Most new umpires do not survive the "gauntlet" they have to run with coaches, fans, (and posters) to become proficient from game experience before they get fed up with the constant abuse. (It is not a profession for the weak of heart. :isurrender:). One more point regarding the money everyone likes to bring up, DH's are the exception, not the rule. A single game fee in our area is $60, if JV tacked on the back end, $85. Take gas and a trip to Mickey D's out of the check and you're hardly getting rich.

Our association handles the on the field training in the following fashion. New umpires are expected to work several scrimmages with either experienced umpires on the field or at the field who critique their work and offer instruction and advice. Feedback is given to the assignor on their level of competence at that time and throughout the year as they necessarily work with experienced officials. In addition, a number of meetings are held prior to the start of the season to cover rules and mechanics (including on the field walk throughs). As you can easily see, the effectiveness of this preparation for "rookies" is directly proportional to the amount of effort that each new umpire puts into it (attending all meetings, listening and reacting to constructive criticism from experienced umpires). Some start out well, then don't survive the gauntlet. Others want the paycheck but don't put the personal effort forward and struggle. And, a small percentage learn and thrive but end up (numberswise) just replacing the moved/retired/bad health experienced umpires who give it up. The next year, we're right back where we started (sort of like the movie "Groundhog Day"). Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now. A final word of advice, you're wasting your time trying to convince HT2005 of anything positive about umpires. Again, IMHO, he's a typical symptom of the disease :taz: that keeps so many good prospective officials away from the game of HS baseball.

 

UTL,

Let me give you a little heads up on Mr. HT. He's been bashing umpires on here for several years. :deadhorse: In fact, we (HT and me) went through a similar verbal exercise a couple of years ago. IMHO, you're wasting your time trying to justify our existence to him. Agreed, some of us are not as "good" as we should be, just as numerous players and coaches fall short of their potential. If you are serious about being an umpire, at some point it should become a personal choice to work at your craft to improve (just as players and coaches do).As a sad fact, sheer numbers prevent the effective "weeding" of less than stellar officials by assignors in sparsely populated regions. Most new umpires do not survive the "gauntlet" they have to run with coaches, fans, (and posters) to become proficient from game experience before they get fed up with the constant abuse. (It is not a profession for the weak of heart. :isurrender:). One more point regarding the money everyone likes to bring up, DH's are the exception, not the rule. A single game fee in our area is $60, if JV tacked on the back end, $85. Take gas and a trip to Mickey D's out of the check and you're hardly getting rich.

Our association handles the on the field training in the following fashion. New umpires are expected to work several scrimmages with either experienced umpires on the field or at the field who critique their work and offer instruction and advice. Feedback is given to the assignor on their level of competence at that time and throughout the year as they necessarily work with experienced officials. In addition, a number of meetings are held prior to the start of the season to cover rules and mechanics (including on the field walk throughs). As you can easily see, the effectiveness of this preparation for "rookies" is directly proportional to the amount of effort that each new umpire puts into it (attending all meetings, listening and reacting to constructive criticism from experienced umpires). Some start out well, then don't survive the gauntlet. Others want the paycheck but don't put the personal effort forward and struggle. And, a small percentage learn and thrive but end up (numberswise) just replacing the moved/retired/bad health experienced umpires who give it up. The next year, we're right back where we started (sort of like the movie "Groundhog Day"). Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now. A final word of advice, you're wasting your time trying to convince HT2005 of anything positive about umpires. Again, IMHO, he's a typical symptom of the disease :taz: that keeps so many good prospective officials away from the game of HS baseball.

 

That is a good post with a couple of exceptions. I have many friends in the umpiring business. I am there to help hold them accountable. I don't voice an opinion unless it is a blatent missed call. Like was posted earlier these calls didn't affect the outcome of this game and very rarely does one missed call make the difference. However, I hate to see the bats taken out of players hands to speed games up in JV games. I hate to see umpires out of position trying to make calls. I hate to see umpires aggressive at coaches. I have seen all of this in 2009. If the umpire is there in position and misses the call, so he misses it. Even the good workers at McDonalds forget and put onions on burgers when they are supposed to hold the onions every once in a while. We are all human.:ylsuper: I don't think I have ever caused an umpire to stay away from the game of baseball. You and I may even speak occasionally at these games and I guarantee that you would not have a problem with me at the game as long as you were in position to make the call, were respectful to the coaches and players and did a good days work for a good days pay.

No one is beating down the door to become an umpire from my understanding. As a result the quality has gone down in some areas. As you stated, you have been around baseball for a long time, maybe you can offer up your services and become an umpire? Or perhaps petition your local schools to increase umpire fees to draw out more qualified candidates in and around your area?

 

UTL,

Let me give you a little heads up on Mr. HT. He's been bashing umpires on here for several years. :deadhorse: In fact, we (HT and me) went through a similar verbal exercise a couple of years ago. IMHO, you're wasting your time trying to justify our existence to him. Agreed, some of us are not as "good" as we should be, just as numerous players and coaches fall short of their potential. If you are serious about being an umpire, at some point it should become a personal choice to work at your craft to improve (just as players and coaches do).As a sad fact, sheer numbers prevent the effective "weeding" of less than stellar officials by assignors in sparsely populated regions. Most new umpires do not survive the "gauntlet" they have to run with coaches, fans, (and posters) to become proficient from game experience before they get fed up with the constant abuse. (It is not a profession for the weak of heart. :isurrender:). One more point regarding the money everyone likes to bring up, DH's are the exception, not the rule. A single game fee in our area is $60, if JV tacked on the back end, $85. Take gas and a trip to Mickey D's out of the check and you're hardly getting rich.

Our association handles the on the field training in the following fashion. New umpires are expected to work several scrimmages with either experienced umpires on the field or at the field who critique their work and offer instruction and advice. Feedback is given to the assignor on their level of competence at that time and throughout the year as they necessarily work with experienced officials. In addition, a number of meetings are held prior to the start of the season to cover rules and mechanics (including on the field walk throughs). As you can easily see, the effectiveness of this preparation for "rookies" is directly proportional to the amount of effort that each new umpire puts into it (attending all meetings, listening and reacting to constructive criticism from experienced umpires). Some start out well, then don't survive the gauntlet. Others want the paycheck but don't put the personal effort forward and struggle. And, a small percentage learn and thrive but end up (numberswise) just replacing the moved/retired/bad health experienced umpires who give it up. The next year, we're right back where we started (sort of like the movie "Groundhog Day"). Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now. A final word of advice, you're wasting your time trying to convince HT2005 of anything positive about umpires. Again, IMHO, he's a typical symptom of the disease :taz: that keeps so many good prospective officials away from the game of HS baseball.

 

Excellent points made across the board. And thanks for the heads up! :thumb:

That is a good post with a couple of exceptions. I have many friends in the umpiring business. I am there to help hold them accountable. I don't voice an opinion unless it is a blatent missed call. Like was posted earlier these calls didn't affect the outcome of this game and very rarely does one missed call make the difference. However, I hate to see the bats taken out of players hands to speed games up in JV games. I hate to see umpires out of position trying to make calls. I hate to see umpires aggressive at coaches. I have seen all of this in 2009. If the umpire is there in position and misses the call, so he misses it. Even the good workers at McDonalds forget and put onions on burgers when they are supposed to hold the onions every once in a while. We are all human.:ylsuper: I don't think I have ever caused an umpire to stay away from the game of baseball. You and I may even speak occasionally at these games and I guarantee that you would not have a problem with me at the game as long as you were in position to make the call, were respectful to the coaches and players and did a good days work for a good days pay.

 

 

Despite being forewarned I'll attempt to humor your responses. You keep using this word "accountability" as if umpires have no one to answer to. I ask you what would you have done? Kick them out for blowing a call or having a poor strike zone in a game? With that logic there would be nowhere near enough guys to cover all the games.

 

The fact of the matter, whether you want to hear it or not is this: Really good umpires usually leave the HS ranks for college ball. Some stay for other reasons (family, etc.) and yes, some are not as consistent as we'd like. But the only other option is to play less games, surely your not advocating that? Understand that JV games are places for newer umpires to learn and yes, to make mistakes. Trust me, if they were good enough already they would be on the plate in a varsity game (in a V/JV DH) or doing higher levels of baseball. Some do just enough to get by and some work to improve themselves, just like the business world. There are plenty of people in the work force that don't get everything right in their job every day, yet you are not calling for their heads? Do you suggest firing new hires because they aren't as good at their job as someone who has been doing it for 5 years?

 

Numbers are down all over, do something to boost the numbers and the quality will increase. Having someone ready to take games from you is usually a pretty good motivator for umpires to improve themselves.

Despite being forewarned I'll attempt to humor your responses. You keep using this word "accountability" as if umpires have no one to answer to. I ask you what would you have done? Kick them out for blowing a call or having a poor strike zone in a game? With that logic there would be nowhere near enough guys to cover all the games.

 

Numbers are down all over, do something to boost the numbers and the quality will increase. Having someone ready to take games from you is usually a pretty good motivator for umpires to improve themselves.

 

There is no need to try to "humor" my responses. KYFEDUMP humors me enough. What happens when McDonald's gets your order wrong? Do you go in and complain and make them fix it? Do you sometimes maybe get a free meal? Or, do you eat the wrong burger and not tell them that they shorted you a sandwich or an order of fries? Those are mostly kids working and McDonald's listens to customer complaints and they don't kick customers out of their store. What I am trying to get across is that fans need to speak up when calls are missed, coaches need to defend their players and umpires need to be thick skinned enough to handle the criticism and be made accountable just like any other worker in the workforce. When an umpire is ridiculously terrible they need to be told. I'm not blaming umpires for the outcome of any games this year and as a matter of fact maybe only 2-3 times over the past 15 years have I seen a single blown call affect the outcome of a game. I respect the men in blue and for the most part they respect me as well. We get along fine and we talk between and after games on many occasions. It is my hope that more quality umpires will become interested in calling games and the quality of the games will then improve. Thanks for your feedback.

RE: accountabilty

 

How do people propose we make umps more accountable?

You would think we could find more umpires. $100 for a DH(most of the time 4 hours) is pretty good. That is more that $20 an hour. That more than the coaches are making.

 

I would say this season, with all the rainouts, that coaches are making a lot more money than umps.

High School Umpires have to take the Part I test and pass to become eligible to umpire high school baseball. After the first year umpires must take the Part II test and score at least an 80 to be eligible for post season. Umpires are rated just like all the other officials.

 

All the associations that I know of have training programs and KHSAA offers a weekend camp every year that officals have to attend every 3 years to be eligible for post season ($200 weekend).

 

FYI - can't buy your umpire attire at Dick's, have to be serious about it since pants run in the $60 range, shirts $20 to $40, a mask is minimum of $70, chest protector is $70 to $150, plate shoes are $70 to $150, base shoes $50, ball bags are $11 apiece, the hats are $17 each and you need two of them. That is one color then all the umpires have at least 4 hats and 4 colors of shirts. (google Honigs or Gerry Davis Sports)

 

So spend your $25 and take the Part I test then spend your $400 and suit up and get on the field and make a difference. If not, then help recruit umpires for your region. Some are not cut out to be an umpire and they usually don't last more than a year or two.

 

Find 40 to 50 people a day per region willing to cut out from work early or drive like their pants are on fire to make these games and get home sometimes later than you do for $100 DH fee. Some drive over 100 miles round trip to do these games (depending on the region).

 

I understand your frustrations with officials and there is no excuse for poor performance or not knowing the rules, but most often belt high center of the plate fastballs and the failure to catch and throw lose more games than a missed or wrong call.

 

Very well put! But you missed one thing... the varsity umpires, if I'm accurate, make around $50 to call a game, argue with coaches, put up with often inappropriate comments from teenagers and not forgetting about fans who always see the strikezone better from their seats than the umpire who is right behind the catcher or can make calls more acurately when they're 150ft. away than a base umpire who happens to be in perfect position to make the call.

 

I've umpired as a teenager in knothole and have coached on the HS level, it's hard work... yes, work. My hat is off to the boys in blue who put up with the ever increasing whinings of the "fans". CHEER FOR YOUR TEAM AND LET THE UMPS DO THEIR JOB!

I've umpired as a teenager in knothole and have coached on the HS level, it's hard work... yes, work. My hat is off to the boys in blue who put up with the ever increasing whinings of the "fans". CHEER FOR YOUR TEAM AND LET THE UMPS DO THEIR JOB!

 

So I guess you expect the fans and coaches to sit quietly no matter how pathetic the calls are? Anytime you are getting paid to do a job you are subject to criticism.

No one is beating down the door to become an umpire from my understanding. As a result the quality has gone down in some areas. As you stated, you have been around baseball for a long time, maybe you can offer up your services and become an umpire? Or perhaps petition your local schools to increase umpire fees to draw out more qualified candidates in and around your area?

 

And actually calling the 1st baseman off the bag at first in that situation isn't really the base umpires call. :sssh:

 

Thats the problem. No one wants to do it. The pay is not good at all for the time it takes to play a baseball game. A lot of schools have not been able to play for lack of umpires good or bad.

So I guess you expect the fans and coaches to sit quietly no matter how pathetic the calls are? Anytime you are getting paid to do a job you are subject to criticism.

 

I think most umpires/football officials/basketball referees could care less what is said from the stands as long as its not vulgar or threatening.