Personal scheduling problems and lack of interest have caused an umpire shortage in the early going of the Rainy River District Fastball League season.
In home games against Pinewood and Zig’s Place, Sight and Sound has had their own players–Ed Vold and Leroy Wilson–umpire the games when regular Gary Billings had other commitments.
Apparently, it’s so commonplace at this stage in the season that there was little resistance from the opposing team.
It’s a trend Sight and Sound captain Derek McKinnon said is present around the entire league.
There currently are four umpires who work Tuesday and Thursday nights for the league on a pay-per basis of $30 a game.
“There’s a shortage. There’s not really a lot in it for them,” McKinnon reasoned. “They take a lot of abuse from the guys and aren’t in it for the money.”
But RRDFL president and Pinewood captain John Desaulnier said for an hour-and-a-half worth of work, the pay isn’t bad. The real problem, he felt, is finding available people.
“We ask a lot of people but there’s just not that much interest to do it,” he admitted, adding an ideal situation would be to have one umpire for each of the eight teams.
That way, travelling and scheduling wouldn’t be a problem.
Desaulnier said a last resort will be contacting the league’s older players. “I’m sure if it gets really bad, there’ll be some ex-players who can jump in,” he remarked.
But for now, it looks like the league will continue on with an unstable umpire roster, said McKinnon.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
