Assigning fees, declines, turn backs

[GR_ump]

Situation:

Our Board of Directors is working on overhauling our umpire contracts a little in regards to turn backs and declines so that our assignor doesn't go crazy.

Background:

Right now we pay our assignor $1.50 per assignment and don't penalize anyone if they decline an assignment or if they turnback an assignment that they had accepted. We are using Arbiter with a 72 hour window for members to respond once a game is offered.

With that said please let me know what you all currently do, have tried at and failed, or wish you did.

Thanks, Greg

[jjb]

Oh, man, Grump: we're having issues of our own.

For the most part, it's been pretty quiet in the past, without a lot of give-backs. Our umpires work 2-3 different leagues, and, up to recently, we've only had 2-3 who tell us they're available for a certain day, and tell the other leagues the same thing. Then they take the best deal, and give back the other ones. For these people, we adjust their games to "when we really need them".

This year, we've gotten a new Scheduler, and the game schedules are coming out 2-3 days before Game Day. So, I don't blame anybody for assuming they're not working, and taking other games instead. Then, if we give them a game, they give it back for "prior comittments". It's a real headache: the League is bitching, the scheduler is bitching, and we're (Umpire Management) is left holding the bag.

We have a procedure where, if an umpire cancels less than 24 hours prior to game time, we fine them 1 game fee. We've used it rarely: now the League wants to use it more often, "to keep the givebacks down". They haven't yet figured out it's not the umpire's fault. It's going to be counter-productive. Y'know, the old "the beatings will continue until Morale improves" kind of thing.

I don;t know how this will shake out: we're about through Spring Ball, and have time to fix things before Fall Ball

(Oops, sorry for the rant...)

[bassfam11]

We too use arbiter, it is set up with NO acceptance window. As soon as you log in all assigned games are automatically accepted. We are assessed a $10 fee for all turn backs that are within 7 days of the game. Our calendar to block games is only open from February until the start of HS ball (April 1). If you need to block a day after that you must e-mail the assigner.

Our assigner fees:

BB Varsity - $4.83,

BB JV & F - $3.50

Independent BB $3.00

SB Varsity - $4.69,

SB JV & F - $3.43

Independent SB $0.00

Our association Fees

$104.50 (dues, State HS fees, rule books and insurance)

Note: the $10 assessment is not automatic, if you have a good reason, no fee is charged. Also, you have right to appeal an assessment. The fee is really used as a “stick” to keep guys from cherry picking games, more often than not the fee is waived.

[mstaylor]

We don't generally give the guys a hard time for turnbacks unless there is a pattern or it is less than 48 hrs notice.

As to the new assignor complaining, he needs to quit. Instead of placing your board an a bad spot enforcing penalties to the members that he is creating, he needs to get his act together and get the assignments out earlier. The BOD needs to tell to do better or he will be replaced.

[Nate]

We have no fees here if you decline games. We too use the arbiter, but what really happens here is if you cannot make the game it's your responsibility to find a replacement.. if you don't there's a good chance of you not getting anymore games.

[mstaylor]

We have no fees here if you decline games. We too use the arbiter, but what really happens here is if you cannot make the game it's your responsibility to find a replacement.. if you don't there's a good chance of you not getting anymore games.

We insist that the umpire not find a replacement. There are times where the replacement changes the dynamic of the crew. It may be the experience level, it may be the guy still on the game has blocked the new ump, any number of things. We want to be in charge of the crews, so we want to make the replacement. We don't have a monetary penalty for late turn-ins but there could be discinplinary actions to be decided on a case by case basis.

[BT_Blue]

For HS we pay $4 (used to be $3 two years ago) per game. Other places do charge some money of some sort from the umpires. Others take it from the league.

Cancellations you are required to find yourself a QUALIFIED replacement. If you have to give it back to the assignor without good reason (ex. death in the family, have to appear in court, your death, etc.) then you owe a fine that could be as high as the game fee itself.

Also 48 to 72 hrs to accept the game is more than enough time for games to hang in cyberspace before they get reassigned. Whether or not they do is another story.

[mstaylor]

We had an assignor about ten years ago that was excellent. Softball and baseball was a combined group and he took care of both groups. He was having trouble with the softball guys turning back games at the last minute or not showing at all. He said at a meeting that you miss a game you better be in the hospital. A guy missed a game so Rick calls his house to give him a fit. His wife answers and Rick asks where the Hell was her husband. He was in CCU with a heart attack. Rick felt like a dummy.