RE-introduction

[johnnyg08]

On 3/8/2026 at 9:32 PM, orangebird said:

Yeah I mean I haven't worked an actual HS game yet, let alone tried to organize anything like this, but I'd assume any coach-based rating system needs some way to highlight what's honest feedback vs a sore loser coach to really be helpful

And that is the challenge. In states that have done this, the ratings from the losing team where almost always lower. 

[WIUMP]

On 4/29/2026 at 8:30 AM, johnnyg08 said:

And that is the challenge. In states that have done this, the ratings from the losing team where almost always lower. 

At the state level in Wisconsin, the rankings are seemingly meaningless. In our conference, we have seven varsity teams so we're able to look at the context a little bit more. We recently had an issue with a crew and the comment section of the evaluation was valuable in gathering statements from coaches and ensuring that accounts were corroborated by both coaches.

Yes. There are still comments made about judgement calls, which are mostly ignored unless there is an obvious pattern. The Likert scale ranking criteria does not include any coach evaluation of judgement. My categories for this year are appearance, professionalism, communication, game management, rules knowledge and application, and mechanics and positioning.

This system probably doesn't work in other conferences. For us, however, it has allowed us to add a layer of accountability and hopefully weed out the guys who are just doing this for the game check or the 120 minutes of power.

[MadMax]

20 hours ago, WIUMP said:

or the 120 minutes of power.

… or worse, 94 minutes and coppin’ an attitude that they’re God’s gift to umpiring, and/or their blue 💩 doesn’t stink, too. 

#JustCallYourGameKapeesh?

[johnnyg08]

On 4/30/2026 at 9:09 PM, WIUMP said:

who are just doing this for the game check

There's nothing wrong with doing it for the money. 

[WIUMP]

16 hours ago, johnnyg08 said:

There's nothing wrong with doing it for the money. 

Agreed. I certainly enjoy some extra beer money. But I doubt if someone is taking the time to visit this site, learn a few things, provide their insight for others, etc, they aren't doing it just for the money.

I recently worked a game with a partner who asked if I was certified for high school softball. I told him I wasn't. He told me that a particular conference in the area has a 90 minute time limit for their varsity games. Said working games "was like taking candy from a baby." That kinda rubbed me the wrong way. I'll save my other observations about this partner for my upcoming partner horror stories thread. 

[Velho]

11 hours ago, WIUMP said:

He told me that a particular conference in the area has a 90 minute time limit for their varsity games. Said working games "was like taking candy from a baby."

The world view that comment lives within aside, softball is quick. The chanting can be a bit... screechy at times but otherwise it's a more fun environment (nice music, dancing, etc).

Game last night I saw more smiles, laughs, and genuine "hello" and "thank you"s than years (cumulative) from baseball. The catchers even apologize for missing a pitch - and they mean it!