Why Becoming an Umpire is a Great Gig for Teens and College Students

Join the World's #1 Newsletter for Officials

Never miss a beat in the officiating world! Get top news, expert advice, product savings, and more every week.

Post Image

Becoming an umpire can be an excellent gig for middle and high schoolers or even college students. This role offers more than just a paycheck; it provides valuable life lessons, builds a strong sports network, and offers flexibility. Additionally, with the right assigning platform like RefrSports, payments can be easily tracked, and taxes handled efficiently. Here’s a closer look at why becoming an umpire is a great job for young individuals.

Score Big with Good Pay

One of the primary benefits of becoming an umpire is the attractive pay. For middle and high school students, earning money through umpiring can be a significant financial boost. The pay rates for umpires are generally higher than many other part-time jobs available to young people. This income can help cover personal expenses, contribute to savings for college, or even support family needs. For college students, umpiring can provide a flexible source of income that fits around their academic schedule, reducing the need for student loans or part-time jobs with rigid hours.

Life Lessons from the Field

Umpiring teaches valuable lessons that extend beyond the sports field. As an umpire, young individuals learn to make quick decisions under pressure, an essential skill that can be applied in many aspects of life. They also develop a sense of responsibility, as they are accountable for the fairness and integrity of the game. Additionally, umpiring fosters strong communication skills. Umpires must clearly and confidently communicate their decisions to players, coaches, and sometimes even parents, which helps build their interpersonal skills and assertiveness.

Building Your Sports Network

Working as an umpire allows young people to build a robust sports network. They interact with coaches, players, and other officials, forming connections that can be beneficial for future opportunities. This network can open doors to coaching positions, sports administration roles, or even scholarships. For those passionate about sports, these connections can provide guidance and mentorship, helping them navigate their career paths in the sports industry.

Fun on the Field

Umpiring can be a fun and engaging job for young sports enthusiasts. Being on the field, actively participating in games, and experiencing the excitement of sports from a different perspective can be incredibly rewarding. Unlike typical part-time jobs, umpiring keeps young people physically active and mentally engaged. The adrenaline rush of making critical calls and the satisfaction of contributing to the game’s flow make umpiring an enjoyable job.

Flexibility to Fit Your Life

Flexibility is another significant advantage of umpiring. Games are often scheduled on evenings and weekends, allowing students to balance their academic responsibilities with work. This flexibility makes it easier for them to manage their time effectively, ensuring that their education remains a priority. For college students, this flexibility means they can take on umpiring assignments around their class schedules and other commitments, making it an ideal job for maintaining a work-life balance.

Easy Payments and Taxes with RefrSports

Managing payments and taxes can be daunting for young people, but with the right assigning platform like RefrSports, these tasks become much simpler. RefrSports streamlines the payment process, ensuring that umpires are paid promptly and accurately. The platform tracks all earnings, making it easy for young umpires to keep tabs on their income. Additionally, RefrSports provides tools for handling taxes, which can be a significant relief for young people who might be navigating tax filing for the first time. This feature ensures that they remain compliant with tax regulations without the stress and confusion that often accompany it.

Conclusion

Becoming an umpire is a fantastic job opportunity for middle and high schoolers or college students. It offers good pay, teaches invaluable life lessons, builds a strong sports network, and provides a fun and flexible work environment. With the support of an efficient assigning platform like RefrSports, managing payments and taxes becomes straightforward, allowing young umpires to focus on their responsibilities and enjoy the experience. For young sports enthusiasts looking to earn money, develop essential skills, and stay connected to the sports they love, umpiring is an excellent choice.

TestimonialS

Why Assignors Choose Refr Sports

"Referees get paid directly through the platform"
"Referees get paid directly through the platform, relieving me and my sports organizations of the burden of handling payments and tax forms. Once they use it and see how it works, they're so happy and relieved."
Review Image
Christine Francis
Kansas City Soccer Assignor
"Their customer support is outstanding"
“Refr Sports' customer service and app differentiate them from the rest! All of our emails, phone calls, and requests were answered very quickly. Their customer support is outstanding.”
Review Image
Kelli Linnerooth
Minneapolis Baseball Sports Organization Head
"Genuine interest in serving the officiating community"
“After researching many different official’s platforms, we decided to work with Refr Sports because of their genuine interest in serving the sports and officiating community."
Review Image
Jessie Ward
Spokane Sports
"It just works"
"Refr Sports has made things so much easier. The payment process is streamlined, everything is trackable, and officials love the app. Once the word got out, we doubled the number of officials signing up to use the platform. It just works."
Review Image
Dennis Barela
Behind the Flag | Dream Big Officials
"Helped me schedule my entire season in less than 2 hours "
“The system helped me upload and schedule my entire season in less than 2 hours time! The fee we pay is more than worth it. Switching to Refr has made a night-and-day difference for our organization.”
Review Image
Megan Jacobson
Catholic Athletic Association
"They’ve been hands-on and supportive from the beginning"
"My league is small, but Refr and their team have given me plenty of attention in helping me get started and feel confident using the system. They’ve been hands-on and supportive from the beginning, and the platform continues to run smoothly."
Review Image
Steve Gatesman
Arkansas Soccer Assignor
"It makes getting paid super convenient"
"I love tracking my earnings through the mobile app. It makes getting paid super convenient. The new mapping feature has also been a big help!"
Review Image
Dawson Weleski
Baseball Umpire
"It has eliminated time spent on taxes"
"The billing process has made my officials extremely happy due to the consistency and ability to track it on their phones. It has also saved me a ton of time on the invoicing side and eliminated my time spent on taxes"
Review Image
Joe Kulas
MinnDak Officials
"I’m telling every assignor I know"
"Refr is something you really need to look into. It’s so much easier than the alternatives, and everyone appreciates what you’re doing with payment automation."
Review Image
Ian Carlson
Iowa Hockey State Supervisor