Is having a Driver's license a must when umpiring

[umpire08]

hello there i hope that this is the place for this question but this has really been knawing at me there certain things that stand in the way of me getting a Texas DL and i was wanting to know if a umpire could perhaps arrange a driver to get him to and from those games i know that is not the same thing would that be something that Umpire Directors would accept, but my question stands i do wish to know if have a License is a absolute must and i must express my regrets for asking this i would just like a answer on this matter thanks again

[Umpire in Chief]

I've known umpires who do not drive while they're under-age. They need to convince the assigner they have reliable transportation to the games. I'd bet they're on a really short leash and would be dropped if they were late or missed once. One ump missing a game for not having reliable transportation makes the entire association look bad.

[tiger49]

I don't drive and have never been late for a game. If you need to use public transportation to get around...plan accordingly.

[BT_Blue]

I, for the most part, agree with what has been said. When I was younger I would bike to my games. But those were also in town and close to me. I also know an umpire that I worked with in LA that would either hitch a ride with his partner or take public transit to his games. There were a couple times he cut it really close and once or twice I had to start a game by myself because the bus was running behind (usually a men's game and they understood.... if we started late they would still get their full time alotment).

However, you have talked about working JuCo ball. I would say for anything above JV high school you should be able to drive yourself.

Just make sure you leave yourself plenty of room to get to the game. If you are way early that is much better than being just a little late.

[Stan W.]

hello there i hope that this is the place for this question but this has really been knawing at me there certain things that stand in the way of me getting a Texas DL and i was wanting to know if a umpire could perhaps arrange a driver to get him to and from those games i know that is not the same thing would that be something that Umpire Directors would accept, but my question stands i do wish to know if have a License is a absolute must and i must express my regrets for asking this i would just like a answer on this matter thanks again

I took a long while to think this over a bit before answering....I think the quick answer is "its not a problem".....as long as you get to the games.

Then I started thinking about the job that all my assignors do and the difficulties that they encounter while covering games....

If you are joining an association or doing a league that does all its games at one complex and you can arrange dependable transportation probably you wont run into an issue....but that dependability is the key....if you miss a game or cant take a game because its too far or you cant get to the game, then expect to drop to the bottom of the list.....

I am a member of 2 associations....One covers baseball from youth leagues to PONY-COLT league to Elite Travel Ball. Another does HS, Legion and College and MSBL.

we cover 3 counties.....we get all of our weekly assignments on weds night. You do not know from one week to another where you will be assigned...Our assignor books the games with the best combination of umpires he can based on the level of play. He also tries to make it fair... if he sends you a county away on one night, he will try and keep you close the next night...

Being an assignor is a tough balancing act and by being less mobile or flexible than your umpire brothers can affect your assignability...

we have an umpire in our youth leagues who will only work local.....and he gets assigned last.....he gets less games and more low level ball than his experience deserves, but the rest of the crews travel all over 3 counties and cover any level of ball it takes to make the association successful....just a matter of fact......

My assignors do the best they can with the guys we have, yet there are many times when you need to be flexible and available on a moments notice .........I have been on my way to a game only to be called on my cell and diverted to another game due to a call off....Ive been on my way home on an "Off night"..only to get that call that we have games uncovered and could I do the assignor a favor and take a game.....I've been in the pool lounging after a double header when the local youth league calls and begs to have you cover a game and will hold the game until I can get there.. ''

Flexibility and availabilty can get you games and the lack of it it can keep you from getting them as well.....

The last thing I am going to bring up is touchy........it may depend on why you cant drive...

If an umpire cant get a license because of multiple DUI's, then yes we are going to have a problem having that guy umpire period...

If an umpire has a health problem that causes him to not be able to drive then that can affect our ability to use him as well....Currently we have a good guy who is very susceptible to heat issues...he can umpire though out the spring, but july and august...its too risky....

this probably hasnt answered any of your questions, but it should show you that if you can arrange dependable transport you can umpire, but hopefully you can see where some associations could have an issue with it...

best of luck

[BT_Blue]

I took a long while to think this over a bit before answering....I think the quick answer is "its not a problem".....as long as you get to the games.

Then I started thinking about the job that all my assignors do and the difficulties that they encounter while covering games....

If you are joining an association or doing a league that does all its games at one complex and you can arrange dependable transportation probably you wont run into an issue....but that dependability is the key....if you miss a game or cant take a game because its too far or you cant get to the game, then expect to drop to the bottom of the list.....

I am a member of 2 associations....One covers baseball from youth leagues to PONY-COLT league to Elite Travel Ball. Another does HS, Legion and College and MSBL.

we cover 3 counties.....we get all of our weekly assignments on weds night. You do not know from one week to another where you will be assigned...Our assignor books the games with the best combination of umpires he can based on the level of play. He also tries to make it fair... if he sends you a county away on one night, he will try and keep you close the next night...

Being an assignor is a tough balancing act and by being less mobile or flexible than your umpire brothers can affect your assignability...

we have an umpire in our youth leagues who will only work local.....and he gets assigned last.....he gets less games and more low level ball than his experience deserves, but the rest of the crews travel all over 3 counties and cover any level of ball it takes to make the association successful....just a matter of fact......

My assignors do the best they can with the guys we have, yet there are many times when you need to be flexible and available on a moments notice .........I have been on my way to a game only to be called on my cell and diverted to another game due to a call off....Ive been on my way home on an "Off night"..only to get that call that we have games uncovered and could I do the assignor a favor and take a game.....I've been in the pool lounging after a double header when the local youth league calls and begs to have you cover a game and will hold the game until I can get there.. ''

Flexibility and availabilty can get you games and the lack of it it can keep you from getting them as well.....

The last thing I am going to bring up is touchy........it may depend on why you cant drive...

If an umpire cant get a license because of multiple DUI's, then yes we are going to have a problem having that guy umpire period...

If an umpire has a health problem that causes him to not be able to drive then that can affect our ability to use him as well....Currently we have a good guy who is very susceptible to heat issues...he can umpire though out the spring, but july and august...its too risky....

this probably hasnt answered any of your questions, but it should show you that if you can arrange dependable transport you can umpire, but hopefully you can see where some associations could have an issue with it...

best of luck

Why cant I nominate this post for post of the month? Its well thought out, informative and completely answers the OP's question.

[Umpire in Chief]

Why cant I nominate this post for post of the month? Its well thought out, informative and completely answers the OP's question.

I'm working on the nomination system it crapped out on me I think I conflicted w/ the thanks system I put in and now I cant get either to work but rest assured I'll get it fixed as soon as I can. Sorry :no:

[BT_Blue]

I'm working on the nomination system it crapped out on me I think I conflicted w/ the thanks system I put in and now I cant get either to work but rest assured I'll get it fixed as soon as I can. Sorry

Thats it, Im leaving! Never to return! Gone forev... on never mind. I know your working hard so Ill stop. :(

[ump81]

Guys, related story, as a new official I was assigned a low level PONY game (think it was bronco) with an older gentleman, he was recomended to me by the assignor with the qualification "you better dish the first game he runs late a lot, but he knows how to umpire and is a nice man". No problem, I was dressing for the game in our assigned parking space and was worried as no partner had arrived and the parking space next to me remained vacant as game time approached. As I walked to the field in gear he came up to me with a large gear bag over his shoulder, he set it down behind the backstop and we went to work. He was clearly over his prime and looked a bit ragged, but knew the mechanics and was always in position. As we switched out at my car I realized he had no vehicle, he did a fine plate game for the young level of ball. At the end of the DH he packed away his gear and put it over his shoulder to walk off, I figured he lived nearby. I was driving out of the complex and near the main street leading out of the area when I noticed my partner standing at the bus stop (it was June I believe and quite hot). I asked him if he needed a ride, at the time my wife and I had one car and I was always dashing from work to games to her to get her the car for her work, money was tight with 3 young children. He said a bit sheepishly that he would appreciate it because it was so hot, he had walked with his bag about a mile to this bus stop in 85-90 degree weather. I thought nothing to drive him a bit to his home, he was very impressed with my 1989 Ford Tempo and the air conditioning. I thought the car was a used piece of junk but all we could afford.

He said he lived in downtown Norfolk and we drove off. I thought he must be one of the these older cheap-skate guys living in the re-conditioned newer condos units around the downtown area. His uniform and gear was very worn and I thought he was penny pinching. As he gave me directions I was a bit perplexed, I was fairly new to the area but knew there were no apartments or homes in the downtown area he was directng me to. We finally pulled up to the union mission homeless person shelter. He was clearly embarrased as he got out, but was very thankful for the ride. Instantly my perceptions changed, he was not a cheap-skate just making $20 bucks or so from a youth game, and his ragged uniform and gear were not signs of a guy that just didnt care. We started at 11 AM that morning and I realized he had to catch the 8AM bus to get to the field anywhere near game time. He was homeless but still cared enough about the game, umpiring, and youth baseball to take that DH in June in 90 degree weather. My thoughts on my "crappy" car , tight money situation, and poor PONY baseball schedule were also instantly changed.

So, in answer I guess NO you do not need a license to umpire, a car to umpire, or even a home or place to stay to umpire. As long as you got the gear and the desire to work you're fine.

I never worked with this guy again and can't even remember his name, but I hope I always remember his lesson. True story. Fran N.