BuffettNews.com

This year I decided not to manage my son's little league team. But, still wanting to stay involved, I volunteered to become a certified umpire. I played baseball for half of my life. And I am here to tell you that I didn't know half of the rules.


Has anyone else been a little league Ump?

Well God bless you. This is one of the jobs I would never ever ever want to do. You take the classes on your own time. You work for just a tiny bit of money. And no matter what decision you make somebody is going to hate you.
But ya know somebody has to do it.

OceanCityGirl wrote:. And no matter what decision you make somebody is going to hate you.

Oh, Troy's used to that

Watch out for the parents but other then that had a fun time plus,being outdoors makes it a worth while activity. Had to give up a couple of years ago because my keets are becoming very active in the summer and did not have enough time to help out.

OceanCityGirl wrote:Well God bless you. This is one of the jobs I would never ever ever want to do. You take the classes on your own time. You work for just a tiny bit of money. And no matter what decision you make somebody is going to hate you.
But ya know somebody has to do it.

Strictly volunteer, no money at all. Luckily I am pretty thick skinned, and I can handle myself pretty well.

PHBeerman wrote:And I am here to tell you that I didn't know half of the rules.

let's recap. . .

1 - 2 - 3 strikes you're out . . .

now it's time for a beer. . .

Strictly volunteer, no money at all. Luckily I am pretty thick skinned, and I can handle myself pretty well.

Around here it pays $50. per game I think. Popular with high school and college guys looking to pick up a few bucks.

PHBeerman wrote:Has anyone else been a little league Ump?

I started in the local youth league, then did some high school and junior college games.

The local program was part of the American Amateur Baseball Congress. I've umpired state and regional tournament games and a 14-under national championship game.

OceanCityGirl wrote:

Strictly volunteer, no money at all. Luckily I am pretty thick skinned, and I can handle myself pretty well.

Around here it pays $50. per game I think. Popular with high school and college guys looking to pick up a few bucks.

Around here it pays in satisfaction only. Although I do think I can write my time spent off on my taxes.

PHBeerman wrote:And I am here to tell you that I didn't know half of the rules.

You mean like the one that says all little league umps should wear bullet proof vests and have police escorts?

I was an ump for a girls softball league, it was a really good time! Parents weren't as bad as I expected them to be, but I still took a beating.
Now I just stick to playing.

The umps in the softball league the firm's team is in get $50/game and most of them are way overpaid, they're pathetic. But I have to say I showed great restraint, I only got thrown out of 1 game in 5 years.

It also pays in having the best seat in the house.

LIPH wrote:The umps in the softball league the firm's team is in get $50/game and most of them are way overpaid, they're pathetic. But I have to say I showed great restraint, I only got thrown out of 1 game in 5 years.

I'm taking it that YOU weren't the ump!!!!!!

I've never been an umpire, but now that I'm retired I might have to look into it. More money in the fun ticket fund.

LIPH wrote:I've never been an umpire, but now that I'm retired I might have to look into it. More money in the fun ticket fund.

I gotta go for it before someone else does, Lar . . . can you still see well enough to make the calls??

If I can see well enough to hit, I can see well enough to make the calls. I retired for 3 reasons:
1. the firm's team is awful so it's no fun playing anymore
2. most of the other guys on the team are at least 20 years younger than I am but last year I was still playing centerfield - what's wrong with this picture?
3. I've played sports all my life and I've had a lot of injuries, it's time to give my body a rest

LIPH wrote:If I can see well enough to hit, I can see well enough to make the calls. I retired for 3 reasons:
1. the firm's team is awful so it's no fun playing anymore
2. most of the other guys on the team are at least 20 years younger than I am but last year I was still playing centerfield - what's wrong with this picture?
3. I've played sports all my life and I've had a lot of injuries, it's time to give my body a rest

Ahhhhhh, that's just it! Guys today in their thirties are soft. YOU have the grit of the 50 year-old!! And yes, give that magnificent physique a rest to save up for more pleasant sports . . .

I COULD NEVER UMPIRE, I SEE THE ABUSE THEY TAKE FROM PLAYERS AND FANS.I STILL PLAY IN A COMPETITIVE SOFTBALL LEAUGE.I'VE SEEN PLAYERS CHASE UMPIRES INTO THE PARKING LOT.I'VE SEEN PLAYERS CHASE UMPIRES WITH BATS.I'LL QUESTION CALLS POLIITELY AND I MAY GET THE NEXT CALL.I UMPIRED 1ST BASE ONE GAME IN A SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT.WELL THE BALL WAS HIT TO LEFT CENTER AND A OUTFIELDER MADE A DIVE AT THE BALL WHICH FROM MY ANGLE IT LOOK LIKE HE CAUGHT IT. JUDGEMENT CALL.WELL ALL HELL BROKE OUT BECAUSE I GUESS HE SORTA TRAPPED IT AGAINST HIS BODY, BUT I COULDN'T SEE THE BALL.I WALKED OFF THE FIELD ANS SAID SCREW THIS.WE AREN'T PRO'S OUT THERE.LAST TIME I EVER DECIDED TO UMPIRE. IT'S A THANKLESS JOB.I PLAYED BASEBALL FOR MANY YEARS,I LEARNED AS A HITTER YOU ADJUST TO THE UMPIRE.

PHBeerman wrote:This year I decided not to manage my son's little league team. But, still wanting to stay involved, I volunteered to become a certified umpire. I played baseball for half of my life. And I am here to tell you that I didn't know half of the rules.


Has anyone else been a little league Ump?

PM me a schedule I will try and make a few games

I will instruct angry parents in the calming power of silence..