[jammin' jamey]

The next time you disagree with the call at second baseball, balls and strikes or just want to rib one of our high school baseball officials please take a moment to consider this:

At this week's board of control meeting, the issue of raising the pay for officials was on the agenda. Last year, football officials received a bump of $5 in pay to $60 per game for regular season contest. That's the highest per-game pay any sports official can make in Kentucky during the regular season on average.

Baseball umpires haven't enjoyed a raise since the 2006-07 season. That year, the state raised umpires pay from $42.50 to $46 per regular season game. Baseball is one of the lowest paying gigs when you consider the amount of time spent on the field per hour, the weather elements and such.

Did you know that according to the public minutes of the Board of Control's meeting on October 8th, 1977 (link provided below) decision makers raised the pay of umpires to a whole $15 per game beginning with the 1978 season. So over the past 36 years, umpires have seen a wage increase of just over $1.16 per year.

These folks, and all officials for that matter, don't get paid nearly enough to put up with the sniffling of 'some' fans. Please remember umpires call games for the same reasons players play, fans cheer and broadcasters broadcast - for the love of the game.

Jamey Johnson
EKB Sports, Pikeville.


http://khsaa.org/httpdocs/boardofcontrol...eeting.pdf

[FlippedOut]

Forgot to mention they get double that each day. Varsity and JV. Not to bad for an evening when most JV game play only 3 innings. Little misleading.

[RunItUpTheGut]

I think all baseball, basketball, and football refs should make a flat rate of 100 dollars a game.

[Coyoteman]

From the umpires I have seen in the 12th and 13th regions, and basketball officials in the same regions, the fact that 90% of them are getting a dime is an overpayment. I have seen multiple field umpires staring off into right field and miss calls at 2nd and 3 base, because they saw a pretty sky, or a pretty girl in the stands.

[Trust Me]

Forgot to mention they get double that each day. Varsity and JV. Not to bad for an evening when most JV game play only 3 innings. Little misleading.

Are you sure? The JV games around here are on the house, done for free by the umps, and may not even be played if the varsity game went long and everybody wants to get home before midnight.

[baseballisgreat]

If an umpire works a Varsity and Jv double header then they make 110 dollars a night! That breaks down to 65 for varsity and 45 for JV. That is better than most of us make in one day. That is for usually a total of 5 hours. That averages out to be 22.00 an hour.

[FlippedOut]

The what we are saying is speak your mind, LET IT RIP!!!!!They are getting paid to hear it. LOL:biglmao:

[Completely Neutral]

First off you are completely wrong about the wages of a varsity and Jv game that follows. It's not even close to double. A varsity game is 60.00 a jv game is 30.00 and can play up to a total of 5 complete innings. If they play longer than 5 then the pay is the same as a varsity contest. And for your information the reason most jv games are only 3 innings is bc most home coaches leave the decision of the length of the game up to the traveling team bc of the distance they have to travel. And of course you say let it rip bc you must be one of these people that go to a game and yell and scream and act like an idiot while people that has a little bit of sense are making fun of you and the way you conduct yourself the whole time. Have you ever tried to umpire a ball game? I'm sure the answer is no. Also how would you like it if someone was to come to where you work, wherever that may be ( and the truth be known you probably don't) and started yelling and screaming at you bc they thought you was doing your job, that you GET PAID TO DO, that you have been trained to do, and have a better knowledge of then the person yelling does, inefficiently and that they knew more about it than you do. I can answer that you wouldn't appreciate it, you would get the hot head you would be yelling back, probably wanna fight, and act like an idiot. What do these umpires do? They do their job that they get paid to do, to the best of their ability and sometimes make mistakes, all while having to listen to a crowd of people that think they know the rules better than the umps, bc that's what granddaddy told them or that's what they seen on tv, or the neighbor said so, and in return almost 100% of the time doesn't even acknowledge they even heard the crowd to begin with. So the next time you feel free to show your badge of ignorance why don't you take just a second to think about this. What would I do and how would I feel if I was in their shoes? Of course I'm sure nothing I have just said will get through to you and I've just wasted my time but that's fine, there is a few people out there that will read this and has a high enough IQ to agree with what I've just said. Thank you. COMPLETELY NEUTRAL

[Coachinthestands]

The next time you disagree with the call at second baseball, balls and strikes or just want to rib one of our high school baseball officials please take a moment to consider this:

At this week's board of control meeting, the issue of raising the pay for officials was on the agenda. Last year, football officials received a bump of $5 in pay to $60 per game for regular season contest. That's the highest per-game pay any sports official can make in Kentucky during the regular season on average.

Baseball umpires haven't enjoyed a raise since the 2006-07 season. That year, the state raised umpires pay from $42.50 to $46 per regular season game. Baseball is one of the lowest paying gigs when you consider the amount of time spent on the field per hour, the weather elements and such.

Did you know that according to the public minutes of the Board of Control's meeting on October 8th, 1977 (link provided below) decision makers raised the pay of umpires to a whole $15 per game beginning with the 1978 season. So over the past 36 years, umpires have seen a wage increase of just over $1.16 per year.

These folks, and all officials for that matter, don't get paid nearly enough to put up with the sniffling of 'some' fans. Please remember umpires call games for the same reasons players play, fans cheer and broadcasters broadcast - for the love of the game.

Jamey Johnson
EKB Sports, Pikeville.


http://khsaa.org/httpdocs/boardofcontrol...eeting.pdf

That pay scale is just the MANDATORY lowest that can be paid, most if not ALL regions pay their umpires more than that!!

[FlippedOut]

First off you are completely wrong about the wages of a varsity and Jv game that follows. It's not even close to double. A varsity game is 60.00 a jv game is 30.00 and can play up to a total of 5 complete innings. If they play longer than 5 then the pay is the same as a varsity contest. And for your information the reason most jv games are only 3 innings is bc most home coaches leave the decision of the length of the game up to the traveling team bc of the distance they have to travel. And of course you say let it rip bc you must be one of these people that go to a game and yell and scream and act like an idiot while people that has a little bit of sense are making fun of you and the way you conduct yourself the whole time. Have you ever tried to umpire a ball game? I'm sure the answer is no. Also how would you like it if someone was to come to where you work, wherever that may be ( and the truth be known you probably don't) and started yelling and screaming at you bc they thought you was doing your job, that you GET PAID TO DO, that you have been trained to do, and have a better knowledge of then the person yelling does, inefficiently and that they knew more about it than you do. I can answer that you wouldn't appreciate it, you would get the hot head you would be yelling back, probably wanna fight, and act like an idiot. What do these umpires do? They do their job that they get paid to do, to the best of their ability and sometimes make mistakes, all while having to listen to a crowd of people that think they know the rules better than the umps, bc that's what granddaddy told them or that's what they seen on tv, or the neighbor said so, and in return almost 100% of the time doesn't even acknowledge they even heard the crowd to begin with. So the next time you feel free to show your badge of ignorance why don't you take just a second to think about this. What would I do and how would I feel if I was in their shoes? Of course I'm sure nothing I have just said will get through to you and I've just wasted my time but that's fine, there is a few people out there that will read this and has a high enough IQ to agree with what I've just said. Thank you. COMPLETELY NEUTRAL

Spoken like a true ump. First, I pass my test to become an ump. Second, I wished you called our games.

[baseballisgreat]

Well not all regions pay the same. Nor am I saying that one needs to be yelled at while working. But umpires and refs know that fans arnt going to keep quite and not yell at a ball game. If you one cant take being yelled at then they shouldnt be an umpire or ref. I bet they are one of the first ones to yell at the refs during a UK basketball game! (Also, I do work everyday! So if you want to be calling people out you need to know them first!)

[baseballisgreat]

Also, I have umpired and still do!

[Mountain_Sports69]

With more pay should come more responsibility. If the pay is going to be increased, then better training and experience should also be required. Just passing an open book test doesn't count for on-the-field experience and knowledge of the game. There are many umpires out there with very little experience or knowledge of the game. However, with that said, there are more that are very good at what they do and take it very serious. Those are the guys who deserve a raise!

[jammin' jamey]

Forgot to mention they get double that each day. Varsity and JV. Not to bad for an evening when most JV game play only 3 innings. Little misleading.

$46 per contest…$41 per each additional contest on the same day. Still, that's $87 for potentially a 5-hour work day under many times, stressful conditions.

[baseballisgreat]

Again that is the minimum for what they can make! Most regions pay their umpires more than that!

[Wyatt Earp]

I would like to take this opportunity to make apologies for my misbehavior at times in years past. Watching these NBA refs brings a new respect for high school umps and refs. Many schools cannot afford paying what needs to be paid and especially smaller schools. Umps are like most coaches in that they must love to do it however throw a dog a bone every now and then.

[golfer30]

I have seen lots of sporting events and seen people yell and carry on toward the officials. They get paid to go out and officiate the best of their ability when they put on that uniform they know that the crowd and coaches are going to complain. The old saying if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. Coaches coach fans yell at them, players play fans yell at them officials officiate fans yell at them. So in my opinion go out do your job call the game the best you can, don't listen to the fans, and work on getting better at what you do. Don't argue with the fans because now you become the idiot.

[stripedofficial]

14th region
Varsity 57.50
JV 47.50

105 total if you call both games. Believe it or not only about 25% of teams play both. It cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $600 just to step onto the baseball field as an umpire. On any given year your going to work around 15 scheduled days through your assigner. Most days require a drive of around 30 miles one way. A baseball game can take 1 1/2 hrs to 3 1/2 hrs. Many days I have left the house around 4pm and got home around or after 11. Some days with bad weather you can be gone that long for $57 dollars.

Baseball is by far the worst sport to make money as an official. If you call baseball its simply because you love the game. Not to make money.

[stripedofficial]

I have seen lots of sporting events and seen people yell and carry on toward the officials. They get paid to go out and officiate the best of their ability when they put on that uniform they know that the crowd and coaches are going to complain. The old saying if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. Coaches coach fans yell at them, players play fans yell at them officials officiate fans yell at them. So in my opinion go out do your job call the game the best you can, don't listen to the fans, and work on getting better at what you do. Don't argue with the fans because now you become the idiot.

They know they are going to complain. That doesnt mean they have to take it. A lot of fans are under the misunderstanding that just because they paid to get in a game they are allowed to heckle or yell at umpires. This isnt true, and ive seen many occasions where fans where escorted out, with no refund.

[golfer30]

I have seen been at games where people were through out. I just saying people going to complain you can't have rabbit ears and hold it personally. They are supporting and taking up for their kids. There is time that enough is enough but sometimes it's better to ignore stupidity as to get involved in. Let it go.