Umpire Shortage in North Texas

Where Are the Umpires? The Growing Crisis in North Texas Select Baseball

Select baseball is booming in North Texas. With more teams, more tournaments, and more competitive action than ever before, the game is thriving—but there’s one major problem looming over every weekend tournament: a critical umpire shortage.

What used to be a minor inconvenience has grown into a full-blown crisis. Games are being delayed, rescheduled, or even canceled. Families are sitting in the stands for hours waiting for the next pitch, kids are feeling the frustration, and tournament directors are scrambling to keep things running smoothly.

Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what we can do as a community to help fix it.

Why Is There an Umpire Shortage?

The number of select baseball tournaments in North Texas has exploded over the past few years. While this growth is great for the sport, it hasn’t been matched by an increase in available, trained umpires.

Here’s why:

• Burnout: Umpires are working long weekends across multiple age divisions and locations, often in 90+ degree heat.

• Verbal abuse: A rise in on-field and spectator hostility has driven many umpires to call it quits.

• Pay vs. pressure: While pay has improved slightly, it doesn’t always match the pressure and stress that comes with the role.

• Lack of new recruits: Few younger officials are stepping up to replace the older generation.

What It Means for Tournaments (and Families)

The impact is being felt every weekend. Here’s how:

• Game delays: Some games are starting 1–2 hours late while waiting for an available umpire.

• Back-to-back-to-back games: Umpires are often doing triple-duty, which can lead to exhaustion and missed calls.

• Fewer officials per game: Some age groups are being forced to play with just one umpire on the field—hurting game quality and fairness.

• Frustration all around: Players are confused, parents are upset, and organizers are under pressure.

What Can Be Done?

The solution isn’t simple, but there are clear steps we can take as a community:

1. Recruit and train new umpires

Youth baseball programs, local leagues, and tournament organizers can launch recruitment campaigns aimed at high school and college students, former players, and even parents.

2. Respect the role

This one’s big. Umpires are human. A more respectful environment goes a long way in making officiating more appealing and sustainable.

3. Better scheduling and communication

Tournament directors can work together to stagger tournament start times, share umpire pools, and coordinate better to avoid overlap.

4. Incentivize the position

Whether through higher pay, bonuses for working multiple games, or recognition programs, investing in umpires will help keep them in the game.

A Call to Action for the Baseball Community

At the heart of every baseball game is the umpire. Without them, the game stops. As parents, coaches, and fans, we need to value the people who make these weekends possible.

If we want our kids to keep playing the game they love, we need to make sure there’s someone behind the plate to call it.

TL;DR:

North Texas select baseball is facing a serious umpire shortage, with more tournaments than there are officials to cover them. This is causing delays, stress, and frustration for everyone involved. The solution starts with community respect, smarter scheduling, better recruiting, and treating umpires like the essential part of the game they are.