UMPIRING - OFFICIATING - REFEREE

[Mfar1234]

Big Q for you well seasoned Full-Timers;

I grew up playing all the sports and softball until 44.

My style of travel will be planting myself here and there 3-4 months at a time.

Has anyone tried earning money throughout the year by Umpiring/Officiating or being a Referee?

Thinking this would be an EXCELLENT way to earn while on the road

Thoughts ?

[Mfar1234]

samsontdog wrote:
I started out Officiating Little League, then rec leagues, High School, College and finally Minor League. 34 years Officiating. It was a good ride and I miss it. I found it easy to find Rec Leagues needing Umpires. A lot of places even train you to Officiate. I retired in 2000 and was making $12.00 a game {one hr time limit} two Umps. $16 to $18 if you worked the game by yourself. 4 to 6 games a night up to 10 games a day on weekend. This is Rec Leagues as most RVers
don't have time for HS, College or Minor League which pays much more

Hat's off to ya Samsontog! Well done!

At my age, Id settle making it to the High School/Legion Baseball and Prob "B Class" and below kids softball.

I am prepared to start at the youth league level for a few yrs then go from there. I have umpired many youth games (softball/baseball) over the years (stopped about 7yrs ago) ... ALL were voluntary as I was deeply involved in coaching (my son and daughter) and filled as necessary.

Since I'll be travelling to prob 3, maybe 4 areas each yr. I guess I will start w/ contacting the Parks & Rec Departments for league leader info and go from there.

Feel free to add any other suggestions you may have

Thanks all
Mark

[guidry]

Most organizations will require certificates of training for that state as well as record checks (if refereeing kids). Those take time to get, a few onths probably wouldn't be long enough to obtain those. But joining an association would help pave the way to the next area as they can vouch for you.

[samsontdog]

I started out Officiating Little League, then rec leagues, High School, College and finally Minor League. 34 years Officiating. It was a good ride and I miss it. I found it easy to find Rec Leagues needing Umpires. A lot of places even train you to Officiate. I retired in 2000 and was making $12.00 a game {one hr time limit} two Umps. $16 to $18 if you worked the game by yourself. 4 to 6 games a night up to 10 games a day on weekend. This is Rec Leagues as most RVers
don't have time for HS, College or Minor League which pays much more

[linnemj]

My wife has officiated several sports at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels. To officiate at these levels, you need to attend training sessions, and become certified by the appropriate official's board. Unless you are willing to spend an entire season in one location, it would be difficult to be assigned games. An example of this would be the spring season which could run from March through mid-May in many areas. My wife accepts college games 6 months in advance and high school games 6-10 weeks in advance.

If you are happy with officiating at a lower level for kid's games, you would have to check with townships or regions which sponsor the league.

[USARMYCW]

Most city parks dept. do the hiring of umpires and refs. I'd ask them.

[Francesca_Knowl]

Mfar1234 wrote:


I grew up playing all the sports and softball until 44.

Interesting idea...in addition to those qualifications listed above, do you have any professional experience?
(By "professional" I mean such as having been paid to ump games.)

And who's the market, anyway?

[TexasShadow]

well, it's a good idea, but....
I think umpires usually belong to some kind of organization, so you'd have to start there to find out if they pay and how much and do you qualify even if you're not a resident of that state or county.

[Mfar1234]

HappyKayakers wrote:
Several thoughts come to mind but my first question would be: what else have you discovered about this? Or is this question the extent of your research so far?

I believe my thoughts are simply put --- and the question (s) are clear

should I break it down a bit or simply call "foul ball" and you return to the plate for another try?

[HappyKayakers]

Several thoughts come to mind but my first question would be: what else have you discovered about this? Or is this question the extent of your research so far?