Waterloo and Kitchener minor baseball in desperate need of umpires

With all the signs of spring in the region, kids are practicing their swings and stretching out their throwing arms for another exciting season of minor baseball, but a big problem behind the plate might keep games from happening.

Brent Matheson, umpire in chief with the Waterloo Minor Baseball Association, said there’s a distinct lack of umpires available to call games this coming season in Kitchener and Waterloo, and they need more people aged 12 and over to sign on as game callers.

“We want to get those kids out on the field and enjoying those games,” said Matheson. “Without two umpires, it’s just not possible to run those games.”

The league’s goal is to have two umpires for every game. Matheson said they’ve had a tough time filling those roles over the past few seasons, having to rely on league staff.

Matheson says one of the contributors to the low numbers is the interactions between umpires and parents during games, where adults are mistreating the kids trying to run proceedings.

“Kids that have to go up against grown men are having a challenge dealing them, with men that are getting into their faces, yelling and screaming, and parents that are making derogatory comments towards them,” said Matheson. “We gotta remember that these are kids.”

Matheson added the leagues have rigid guidelines against these interactions, and he’s fully behind the umpires receiving criticism.

To become an umpire, a short in-person class and online theory training can be completed in a few hours, and the role pays between $25 and $82 per game depending on the level of play.

To get involved and help boost the supply of umpires, visit the Kitchener or Waterloo Minor Baseball Association websites for more information and contact Matheson directly.