Just Getting Started..

[Ring 'em Up]

Hello everyone,

my name is ron, and i'm located in long beach CA. my son plays at L.B. Wilson H.S. (he's working with the varsity team right now) as a PO.

I just ..love.. baseball and have wanted to get out there and be behind the plate just about forever. as a newbie, i know that i have a long way to go to be proficient as most of the members here. this said, i'm hoping that the studying i'm doing now (before the clinics start next month (long beach umpire assoc.)), and going to almost all of my sons games for the past 10 years will help.

i'm getting started a little later in life.. (i'm 58) and hopefully this won't be too much of a problem. (i'm actually in pretty good shape) This is not the first time i've been a sports authority. 10 years ago i was a pro soccer referee centering Club U20 men/women. (my classification was State Referee). i was definitely in the best shape of my life when refereeing as i was running about 45 miles a week.... until i tore my L-meniscus (about 5 years ago). well as you can imagine, there was no more soccer after that. sigh...

i have a quick question.... how much can i actually make umping per week/month? i was thinking that umping might be able to help bring in about $250-$300 or more a week. Am i expecting too much?

Have a GREAT Day..!

ron-

[JaxRolo]

Welcome!

As a newbie I would maybe expect about $40 per game.

On weekend tournaments I make about $300-$400 for the weekend.

It is just a matter of how many games you work.

I recommend you get some good training.

Attend a camp or clinic other than what than what you may get with your association.

Study and restudy the Rule books and case plays.

Be proactive. The better you become the better games you get.

And yes you are really really old :wave:

[grayhawk]

Welcome Ron - Jax gives some good advice above, and I will add:

Buy pro gear - don't cheap out, as you will only end up buying pro gear later anyway.

Scour this forum for knowledge. Look back at previous threads and read them - this will accelerate your learning.

Find a mentor in the Long Beach unit. Go to his games and watch. Ask him if you can listen in on his pregame and postgame discussions.

Find someone to come to your games and evaluate you. Moving up happens for the self-motivated. Not so much if you wait around for people to notice you.

Always listen when folks give advice and then incorporate the good stuff and dump the bad. You will get better over time distinguishing between the two.

Find other places to umpire like off-season HS, Pony, USSSA, etc.

Don't wear ball bags on the bases, and don't say "dead ball."

Have fun!

[Jocko]

As far as $, that depends on your assignor/evaluator. The better you are, the more games you'll get. More games = more $.

Gear/Uniforms - Buy the best you can afford. There are some sweet deals to be had on pro gear. Also, don't be shy to ask at camp/clinic and your assoc meetings about buying used gear/uniforms. FITTSKE24 is the gear wizard

Rules - read the rule/case book. Lather, rinse, repeat. Know the ruleset you'll be calling as they differ from group to group (even NFHS). What you don't know about the rules from watching/coaching will amaze you. UMPJM is the rules afficianado

Be open minded when talking to other umps. Your situation is somewhat unique. Being older, most will assume you have more experience than you actually do. Don't be affraid to ask questions, especially on U-E. There are some jackasses on here who will give you sh*t no matter what you say ( Jax), so don't hesitate.

P.S. Try not to suck

[johnnyg08]

Always listen when folks give advice and then incorporate the good stuff and dump the bad.

Try to figure out who the best umpires are in your group...hint: they aren't always the guys with the most experience.

When you get feedback from the quality, experienced umpires, don't argue with them, just do what they tell you.

[grayhawk]

Always listen when folks give advice and then incorporate the good stuff and dump the bad.

Try to figure out who the best umpires are in your group...hint: they aren't always the guys with the most experience.

When you get feedback from the quality, experienced umpires, don't argue with them, just do what they tell you.

Agreed. Arguing is like an invitation for them to stop helping you.

[JaxRolo]

As far as $, that depends on your assignor/evaluator. The better you are, the more games you'll get. More games = more $.

Is this why you make $20 a week? :smachhead:

[Dannytheman]

Hi Ron,

This is the place to be. We are happy to help you and assist you getting better. I learn something everyday here. Here in SouthEast Pa the pros make 45 to 60 for LL games, and PIAA pays 60 for one man games and 55 each for 2 man.

Good news is both are raising their price for 2013 adding 5 bucks.

Have fun, and keep checking in here. All the best people are here. :spit:

[BRUMP]

Welcome Ron.

This is definitely a place to visit if you want to become a better umpire. While there is joking and ball busting, everyone here is willing to help and share there knowledge. We have guys here from former professionals all the way down to volunteer dads working their first few LL games but here we're all just umpires.

[Stan W.]

Ron,

this is not directed at you, but is for reference only...when linking up with your new association, as a new umpire, do your best not to lead with the "how much money can i make?" question......it is a fair question, but associations and assignors are leary of those new umpires whose intial inquiry leans too hard on the financial. For most of us, doing good baseball requires such a financial committment with uniforms, training and equipment,regisitrations and insurance that the first X amount of games in a season only get us to the break even point...

Now, some areas have so many games available that you may have to hide to keep from getting a game, but for most good associations, they will want to start you out with veteran partners on a level commensurate with your past experience and abilities....then build your schedule and game levels (and Fees=$$) based on your evaluated performance. With your officiating experience, im sure this wont apply to you,

Welcome to the site and to the avocation.......its great to have you....

[guyinaredhat]

The better question to ask is how many games a week can you work . I'm in No Cal and worked a ton of games this year . But realistically you can prob work at most around 15 a week durring the really heavy season of ball March-May and then prob about 8-12 the rest of the year . How much you mak per game is another question though prob no less the 35 a game and prob more like 45-50 if you can work up to HS age .

[hckyosgood30]

Welcome Ron,

I echo what the majority of this panel has said. Buy quality up front. Get a mentor both where you want to be and network with the best in your unit as well. Get training here in SoCal you have many options on training that can't ever hurt you. You can make money but look for quality games over quantity if you can. Challenge yourself and be motivated to work every game as if an evaluator is in the stands. Look better then all and never stop hustling. Get into the book now and you'll be working alot of single man at first. But know the rotations and positioning of the two man system. So when you get your shot you can rise to the occasion. Know the rules, know the rules, know the rules. And above all else have fun!

Welcome

[Jocko]

As far as $, that depends on your assignor/evaluator. The better you are, the more games you'll get. More games = more $.

Is this why you make $20 a week?

ain't makin' JACK until February!

[JaxRolo]

As far as $, that depends on your assignor/evaluator. The better you are, the more games you'll get. More games = more $.

Is this why you make $20 a week?

ain't makin' JACK until February!

Oh you been demoted!

[Umpire in Chief]

Welcome Ron! Get good gear, ask plenty of questions, get a mentor, hustle (even if in the wrong direction), don't be afraid to make a mistake just learn from the ones you make. Soak up the knowledge and when you get to the point in your career where you can help others, pay it forward.

Don't worry too much about game fees, the money will come.

[Ring 'em Up]

WOW..

i just wanted to say thank you to everybody here who welcomed me aboard. and i'll take all the advice i can get..w/out arguing.. !

..learning the rules and reg's and i'm starting on that now. i found a copy of the 2012 NFHS rule and casebook in PDF.

..get a mentor

..get the best equipment i can

..work like there is someone evaluating me

as for the money thing, i was just curious that's all.

thanks again,

ron-

[semper_fi_72]

Ron

I am in Riverside and would be happy to help how ever I can with info.

Don't want to put money figures on the open forum, but send me a PM and I would be happy to let you know the potential in the area.

58 is not to old. I will turn 58 in March and as long as you work hard it would ever be a issue.

I will say for an experience umpire in So Cal, the amount you say is not off the mark.

You will have to prove yourself and work up to it.

I lost that much this weekend due to rain outs of my scheduled games.

Welcome

[mstaylor]

I thought I had already posted here but welcome, a little late. As a new guy you will be told a lot of things by different members of your group, some of it conflicting. Take all the information a sift through it and find what works for you. If you are not sure ask here.

[RC@54OUTS]

I would agree with all that has been said. Be prepared to go to clinics and camps on your own dime and time. Best way to move up. You'll learn more rules or should I say live more rules at the lower levels. Murphy's Law is in full swing there. Good Luck.