Ok, so Im going to reffing games this season, ages 8-12. Anyone done this before? Got any experiences, words of wisdom to share? Also, anyone know how much you get paid per game for this age?

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"I can't really hear what Jeremy says, because I got my two Stanley Cup Rings plugging my ears...." -Patrick Roy in reference to Jeremy Roenick's trash talking

Avoid the crazy ass parents like the plague. Don't even bother to talk to them, it won't end well. Hockey parents are BRUTAL.

i was an umpire when i was younger. different sports, of course, but the one thing i really learned is if you see it one way, thats the way it is. i blew a call at third, got it wrong. the head umpire said "thats what you saw, so thats how you called it. good call." even though i was way wrong.

also, for hockey, you can only call what you see. just because 11 players on the ice saw it, doesnt mean you did.

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Don't hit the kids.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

Just have fun with it.

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That requires hitting the kids.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

I used to umpire games too and for the most part 90% of the parents are ok, but the 10% that are assholes are straight COCKSUCKERS! I had to throw a father out of a game once, when I was 15 mind you, because he wouldn't stop screaming and cursing in front of 9-10 year old kids because he thought I screwed up a call. Motherfucker even threw a lawn chair out on the field when the league manager came over and told him he needed to leave.....priorities I guess.

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"I can't really hear what Jeremy says, because I got my two Stanley Cup Rings plugging my ears...." -Patrick Roy in reference to Jeremy Roenick's trash talking

Those are the guys who get married when they're 40 because they get the desperate women.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

its difficult, yeah. i never got to throw a parent out of a game, but boy did i want to. i wish i did it longer, it wasnt a bad gig.

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Made alot more money at fifteen than you realize. I worked an entire All-Star Tournament between friday night and sunday afternoon and walked home with $300 cash for about 15 hours worth of work over three days outside in the middle of the summer with free food and drinks provided all weekend.....not bad at all

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"I can't really hear what Jeremy says, because I got my two Stanley Cup Rings plugging my ears...." -Patrick Roy in reference to Jeremy Roenick's trash talking

thats a shit ton of money when you are 15. thats bad ass.

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Like irony, I also umpired baseball for three years. Different sports, but I think there are some universal truths.

Hustle - Most important. A lot can be gained by simply busting your butt into position to make a call. You'll find your job gets a lot easier because A). you're in a good position, and B). the parents and coaches DO recognize it. I can't tell you how many little league umps I saw, while being the only ones doing a game, never move from behind the plate.

Get it right. - If you're umpiring by yourself (and I think most youth sports are done by one ref), then it's pretty easy. You're right all the time. Yay! But if you have a partner, know when you should and should not confer with them on calls. I was behind the plate doing a junior (14-16) baseball game. I called a kid out on a caught foul tip third strike, but knowing there was a chance the catcher didn't make a clean catch, I also immediately called time and asked the field ump who had a much better view.

Have a short chain, but don't be a dick. - It's much easier to start off as the tough guy and develop discretion as you gain experience rather than the other way around. Give one warning, and stick to your guns and toss the guy the next time he mouths off. I think I warned three or four coaches and tossed one. The coach was pretty much a league renowned dick and people were just waiting for him to take things too far. I was the lucky one. The game went extra innings and either his son or the manager's son walked in two runs in the top of the inning. He came out to give me shit, and I was like yeah whatever, I understand you're pissed. Most coaches will calm down after a bit, but the guy kept going. So I told him anything else and he ran the risk of getting ejected. He said "Good!" so I told him to leave the field.

Be loud and emphatic, especially on the close ones. It does help.

I can probably think of more if I try, lol.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

We made $25 a game which was later bumped to $30 a game. $30 for 1.5-2 hrs work is good money.

I had a AAA baseball (9-12) game on the small field with the top two pitchers going for the top two teams. Final score, 2-0, game was over in an hour and five minutes.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I've been told its anywhere from $30-$40 a game depending on house or travel and that at minimum they schedule you for 2 games, max of 4 before they make you skip a few for a break. Games are on Sat and Sun. But fuckin A, at $30 a game, even if I only do 5 games a weekend (rink is walking distance from my house) thats AT MINIMUM $150 a weekend x 4 weekends a month = My rent for exercising and skating.....I'm cool with it. Fuck, a month of that shit and I could by a 42" LCD TV for $600!

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"I can't really hear what Jeremy says, because I got my two Stanley Cup Rings plugging my ears...." -Patrick Roy in reference to Jeremy Roenick's trash talking