1 umpire for 8U

[3for3]

Can anyone tell me why there is only one umpire for the 8u tournaments?? Besides the obvious reason of cost, isn't there some sort of training or hours of experience needed before you become an official umpire. Why can't they put an experienced umpire with a trainee or something in the Field to officiate tournament games? One official can not properly position themselves to make all the calls needed and prior to every game they discuss judgment calls, well it seems to me that the game is starting with a bad judgment call by relying on one official. Anyways, just a topic that I'm sure many people ponder and I would love to view others opinions!!! Thanks for listening!!! 3for3

[mr3000]

I totally agree,only having 1 umpire in a tournament game is pretty bad.There is no way to accurately make a call from home plate on a close play at 1st 2nd or 3rd.Tournaments make enough money to pay for 1 more ump per game.

[bluemachine]

I'm not sure for what tournament you're speaking, but for the Dizzy Dean State tournament, we used two umpires for the 8u games. As a matter of fact, the two most experienced umpires at that location were calling 8u games!

The reason MOST 8u games only have one umpire is because the tournament director/field director/person in charge only wants to pay for one umpire. Since you don't have to call balls and strikes, the only thing the umpire has to worry about is safe/out/fair and foul. Not too hard to do for most umpires.

The biggest problem with 8u games is the fact that most parents expect their 8 year old to perform like a high schooler. AND they want the result to be the same! How about letting them have fun and learn the game for a few years first? Rolling the ball to first base teaches them nothing!!

[comets01]

8 under tournaments are always cheaper we pay 85 and others pay 185