Heckling and verbal abuse to blame for umpire shortage in Waterloo Region
Recreational sports groups are voicing their concerns over a shortage of umpires and in-game officials for soccer, baseball and softball games.
The Kitchener-Waterloo Umpires Association coordinates with fastpitch softball leagues across Waterloo Region.
President Trevor Topping said they’ve been dealing with an umpire shortage for about a decade.
“It causes a lot of stress,” Topping told CTV News. “We’re also seeing some growth in the game. That’s not a bad thing, but the problem is the umpires aren’t growing at the same rate.”
The association said they’re 10 to 15 umpires short of the pool they prefer to have heading into the season. Topping explained that many have retired over the past few years, and they haven’t taken in enough new umpires to fill the void. He adds that some new umpires have been recruited, but there’s a catch.
“Some of them are quite young, 13 or 14-years-old,” Topping said. “You can’t put them in an adult game. You’re limited in how you use them.”
The Waterloo Minor Baseball Association also told CTV News it’s dealing with a drop-off in umpire recruitment.
The pain is felt beyond the baseball diamond. The Waterloo Minor Soccer Association is reporting a significant decline in match officials.
Interim executive director Kristian Nielsen said the association had 45 officials last year and only 10 are returning for another season.
Nielsen blames heckling and verbal harassment as the leading cause.
“By far the majority of it we believe has to do with the interactions on the field between the players, the parents on the sidelines and the coaches,” Nielsen said. “The work environment is not always great and therefore they choose not to return the following season.”
The Kitchener-Waterloo Umpires Association brought up similar issues.
“[Parents are] screaming and yelling about calls. I’ve been umpiring this game for 35 years. A newer umpire coming in might not be able to handle it,” Topping said.
He added that it’s up to players, coaches and parents to create a safer environment for umpires.
Both groups warn the shortage could have an impact on games and scheduling throughout the summer.
The Kitchener-Waterloo Umpires Association said they’ll look for fill-ins from other associations outside the region if necessary.
Despite the shortage, Waterloo Minor Soccer won’t be taking on any new recruits this close to the season because they wouldn’t have the time, or the resources, to train new match officials.
The Kitchener-Waterloo Umpires Association said it’s willing to work with anyone interested and some positions can pay upwards of $90 per game.
More information on umpire recruitment can be found online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING High-profile Liberal minister quitting cabinet, not running in next election
Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan has announced he will not run in the next federal election, and will be quitting his cabinet position Friday.
What is Project 2025? A look at the conservative platform Joe Biden says 'will destroy America'
Its authors call it the U.S. conservative movement's 'mandate for leadership,' designed to guide a potential second term for former U.S. president Donald Trump.
B.C. woman who thought Coldplay concert 'was a date' must pay ex for ticket, tribunal rules
A B.C. woman has been ordered to repay her ex for a ticket to Coldplay's 2023 concert in Vancouver – in a small claims decision that highlights the distinction between gifts and loans under Canadian law.
When will the 'Big One' earthquake hit? Scientists weigh in
Researchers say they know the 'Big One' is coming, but when should we expect it? Scientists say predicting when a megathrust earthquake will occur is a guessing game.
Final hurdle clears for grocery code of conduct as Walmart, Costco sign on
All the major Canadian grocers are now on board for a grocery code of conduct, paving the way for industry guidelines that have been several years in the making.
Obama, Pelosi and U.S. Democrats make fresh push for Biden to reconsider 2024 race ahead of convention
Former president Barack Obama has privately expressed concerns to Democrats about President Joe Biden’s candidacy, and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi privately warned Biden that Democrats could lose the ability to seize control in the House if he didn’t step away from the race.
Driver killed, 8 injured in southern Alberta head-on collision with bus
RCMP say a one person was killed and eight others were injured when a bus and an SUV collided head-on in southern Alberta on Wednesday.
Rare photos reveal uncontacted tribe in Peruvian Amazon as loggers move in
Rare images of the Mashco Piro, an uncontacted Indigenous tribe in the remote Peruvian Amazon, were published on Tuesday by Survival International,
More Americans are searching online about moving to Canada. But will they come here?
In the last few weeks, there has been a surge in the number of Americans searching online about moving to Canada and recent political events appear to have been a major catalyst.