With high school spring sports season just around the corner, there is a desperate need for umpires to officiate baseball and softball games across Oregon.
The number of baseball and softball umpires for high school games in the state has decreased by more than a third since 2010, according to the Oregon Athletics Officials Association. That’s left the association scrambling to hire more officials just weeks before the spring season starts.
“All sports at the high school level have suffered a large shortage that kind of started many years ago,” said Jack Folliard, executive director of the Oregon Athletics Officials Association.
FILE: The Rawlings baseball glove of Chicago Cubs' Frank Schwindel lays next to the third base foul line before a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Chicago.
Charles Rex Arbogast / AP
The shortage of referees and umpires has existed for years, Folliard said, but the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the problem. Many officials opted to retire early when entire seasons were canceled.
The reasons behind the prolonged shortfall are unclear, but Folliard said vicious criticism from parents has motivated many to abandon officiating altogether. He also said they have difficulty recruiting when the unemployment rate is low.
“The fan behavior has worsened over the years,” he said. “The umpires dress in their cars, and they have to walk from their cars to the field and oftentimes they’re verbally confronted by my fans.”
The largest impact has been on junior varsity and freshman games, which do not have the same strict regulations as varsity. That means some games often have one official when games are supposed to have two. Some don’t have any officials at all.
“In some instances, we just simply can’t cover them and the teams have to figure it out, maybe get the coaches to officiate — which is not a good idea,” Folliard said.
Folliard said despite negative behavior from some parents, officiating high school games is still worth it because it’s important for students to have a chance to play competitive sports. It’s also a way to earn extra income, with pay ranging from $60-$75 a game.
Those interested in becoming a referee or umpire are encouraged to go to newofficials.org for more information. Training camps are already underway for this year, Folliard said.