Umpire Shortage

[rupert3]

Is there a major umpire shortage for high school baseball?  We have canceled 2 games because of no umpires.

 

[AggiesAreWe]

Just now, rupert3 said:

Is there a major umpire shortage for high school baseball?  We have canceled 2 games because of no umpires.

 

Yes.

Several games have been moved up to Mondays, back to Wednesdays, up to Thursdays and back to Saturdays to accommodate the shortage

[rupert3]

We only have an abreviated season because of no kids to play.  So we will reschedule

[Bobcat101]

The fans have finally got what they’ve wanted, all the terrible umpires are gone & there’s no one left to umpire the games & next me of fans that knows all the goods & good eyesight are applying 

[BullDozer]

I did it for 18 years, 2023 was my last year. Do I miss it yes, but lots of parents, kids ruined it for me. It wasn't fun anymore! 

[LTFALCON]

I have officiated HS football and baseball for years. Fans, coaches, players have all gotten out of hand with belittling umpires. We could care less, what teams are playing and do the best we can to call a fair game. I have a great job and make more money than most, at my regular job. So officiating HS sports is a hobby that most of us take seriously. We are going to make mistakes in both sports, but nothing is ever intentional. We have always had shortages of officials and its 100 percent due to parents and coaches totaling bashing us for the 3 hours they have on the field. Some of TASO officials work 4-5 nights a week to make sure we have some sort of coverage for your games. We spend time away from our families because we love the game and not necessarily for the money. Sometimes I wish that I could walk away from officiating, but guilt sets in when there are 2 teams, 1 driving 45 minutes away to get to a game, only to have no official show up do officiate the game. I have been the only official on the field for a 9th grade and even a JV game only to have coaches screaming at the top of their lungs, about a hold that I didn't see. Anyways, if we had more of the fan base, put on some stripes, and take on some of these games, you might get a better called game due to officials just not being overworked. Thanks for listening. 

[BullDozer]

13 hours ago, LTFALCON said:

I have officiated HS football and baseball for years. Fans, coaches, players have all gotten out of hand with belittling umpires. We could care less, what teams are playing and do the best we can to call a fair game. I have a great job and make more money than most, at my regular job. So officiating HS sports is a hobby that most of us take seriously. We are going to make mistakes in both sports, but nothing is ever intentional. We have always had shortages of officials and its 100 percent due to parents and coaches totaling bashing us for the 3 hours they have on the field. Some of TASO officials work 4-5 nights a week to make sure we have some sort of coverage for your games. We spend time away from our families because we love the game and not necessarily for the money. Sometimes I wish that I could walk away from officiating, but guilt sets in when there are 2 teams, 1 driving 45 minutes away to get to a game, only to have no official show up do officiate the game. I have been the only official on the field for a 9th grade and even a JV game only to have coaches screaming at the top of their lungs, about a hold that I didn't see. Anyways, if we had more of the fan base, put on some stripes, and take on some of these games, you might get a better called game due to officials just not being overworked. Thanks for listening. 

I totally agree with this message, cause I would travel almost two hours to do a game @4 finish that game then drive back almost an hour to do a 7 game, then drive home. I spent so many hours away from family, I would umpire 4-5 nights a week just cause I love baseball and umpiring, but if only the parents would suit up in umpiring uniform and become an umpire! Remember were human we all make mistakes!