Umps wanted - article in the Barrhaven paper
Umpiring is not for the faint of heart
LJ MATHESON
laurie.matheson@metroland.com
Looking for a way to get back in the game? Are you even tempered, athletic and know a bit about softball?
These qualities will help build the perfect foundation that the Eastern Ontario Umpires Association is seeking for spring umpire clinics in the Ottawa area.
Barrhaven’s David Herbst is a former player who didn’t get into umpiring until his early 40s. Now some 13 years later, he’s an accredited Level 4 official and travels extensively for the sport.
He is also the Zone 10 fast pitch umpire-in-chief.
“It’s my hobby,” he said. “I enjoy it and I can make a little extra money on the side.”
There are about 50 to 60 umpires in the association that is governed by Softball Ontario. The Ottawa branch is seeking about 20 more officials – men or women – at least 18 years of age.
“We have about five women who are umpires, and we could use more,” Herbst said.
A level one clinic will be held for newcomers in April.
Accredited umpires can then offi ciate slo-pitch or fastball games.
“Youth have a great opportunity to make this a summer job,” Herbst said. “It’s a fun way for them to earn extra money… they can work as much or as little as they want.”
Each umpire is added to a pool of offi ciates for the area that covers Renfrew, Lanark, Carleton, Ottawa, Prescott and Russell, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and Leeds-Grenville.
To become an umpire is not without a fee – which can be offset by the end of the first summer. Depending on the level of game, the official is paid between $35 and $45 per game. It’s the same rate for umpires behind plate or on the bases.
The initial cost of $75 is for the day-long course. Rule books are $10. Other annual costs required include the association fee of $35, the Softball Ontario fee of $100 which covers liability insurance, and equipment.
To umpire slo-pitch, the fee for equipment would be about $200. This includes a shirt, hat, bag, counter, brush, pants, socks and running shoes. For fast pitch, the equipment fee is larger due to the need for a chest protector, athletic protector, helmet or facemask and shin pads.
Visit www.softballontario.ca for a list of umpire clinics.
A level one clinic will be held April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the R.A. Centre on Riverside Drive.
LJ MATHESON
laurie.matheson@metroland.com
Looking for a way to get back in the game? Are you even tempered, athletic and know a bit about softball?
These qualities will help build the perfect foundation that the Eastern Ontario Umpires Association is seeking for spring umpire clinics in the Ottawa area.
Barrhaven’s David Herbst is a former player who didn’t get into umpiring until his early 40s. Now some 13 years later, he’s an accredited Level 4 official and travels extensively for the sport.
He is also the Zone 10 fast pitch umpire-in-chief.
“It’s my hobby,” he said. “I enjoy it and I can make a little extra money on the side.”
There are about 50 to 60 umpires in the association that is governed by Softball Ontario. The Ottawa branch is seeking about 20 more officials – men or women – at least 18 years of age.
“We have about five women who are umpires, and we could use more,” Herbst said.
A level one clinic will be held for newcomers in April.
Accredited umpires can then offi ciate slo-pitch or fastball games.
“Youth have a great opportunity to make this a summer job,” Herbst said. “It’s a fun way for them to earn extra money… they can work as much or as little as they want.”
Each umpire is added to a pool of offi ciates for the area that covers Renfrew, Lanark, Carleton, Ottawa, Prescott and Russell, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and Leeds-Grenville.
To become an umpire is not without a fee – which can be offset by the end of the first summer. Depending on the level of game, the official is paid between $35 and $45 per game. It’s the same rate for umpires behind plate or on the bases.
The initial cost of $75 is for the day-long course. Rule books are $10. Other annual costs required include the association fee of $35, the Softball Ontario fee of $100 which covers liability insurance, and equipment.
To umpire slo-pitch, the fee for equipment would be about $200. This includes a shirt, hat, bag, counter, brush, pants, socks and running shoes. For fast pitch, the equipment fee is larger due to the need for a chest protector, athletic protector, helmet or facemask and shin pads.
Visit www.softballontario.ca for a list of umpire clinics.
A level one clinic will be held April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the R.A. Centre on Riverside Drive.
Labels: umpires
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