SAYSO

Even more organizations need to follow suit.

It doesn't take a lot to be respectful, you don't have to agree but take a deep breath.

Well baseball fans—you got what you wanted: near-perfect balls and strikes.

Congratulations.

Now when a pitch misses by less than an inch, your favorite player can tap their helmet and feel just a little better… even though that’s a pitch they probably should’ve been swinging at.

Because the truth is, no human eye was ever designed to consistently judge something that precise at full speed.

But let me bring you back to reality.

The best hitters in the game fail nearly 70% of the time. It takes incredible skill to hit a 96 mph fastball.

But calling balls and strikes?
That takes skill too.
Judgment. Focus. Positioning. Confidence. And the ability to make a decision instantly—and stand by it—knowing half the stadium thinks you’re wrong.

And here’s something we don’t talk about enough:
Players take breaks.
Pitchers rotate. Batters hit once every nine spots. Position players might go several minutes without a ball coming their way.

Umpires?
They’re involved in every single pitch. Every play. Every call. From the first inning to the last, they don’t get to “check out” of the game—not mentally, not physically.
When the play is over… they’re already preparing for the next one.

That level of consistency and focus matters.

At the professional level, umpires are paid well—but nowhere near the level of the players they’re responsible for managing. And sure, people aren’t buying tickets to watch the umpire.

But the game doesn’t happen without them.

That’s the difference between visibility… and value.

At the youth level, that gap becomes even more concerning.

At the varsity level, umpires might make roughly $75 to $130 per
game, depending on the location.

At the younger levels?
It’s often even less.

We’re asking for professional-level composure… at amateur-level pay.
And for that, they’re expected to manage the game, enforce the rules, handle conflict, and absorb frustration from every direction.

And oh, by the way—many used to volunteer to umpire youth games. Those days are pretty much gone.

Who wants to be yelled at… for free?

And now we’re introducing a culture where every borderline pitch can be publicly questioned—with gestures like the “tap on the helmet.”

It may seem small.
But it’s not.

Because kids are watching.

They are learning what’s acceptable. They are learning how to handle disagreement. They are learning whether respect is optional.
And what they see at the highest levels of the game doesn’t stay there.

It trickles down.

Umpire associations are already preparing for how to handle these behaviors—because they know where this is heading.

More arguments. More ejections. More tension.

And fewer officials are willing to deal with it.

Let’s be honest:
The “perfect strike zone” does not exist in youth sports. It never has. It never will.
These are developing players. Developing coaches. And yes—developing umpires.

If we start demanding perfection from people who are learning, growing, and doing their best in real time…
we are going to lose them.

And we already are.

So here’s my ask:
Be part of the solution.
If you’ve ever thought, “I could do better”—we need you. Join your local umpire association. Step onto the field. Learn what it really takes.

Help us help you.

And if that’s not for you, then lead by example. Show your child what respect looks like. Show them how to compete without tearing someone else down.

Because at the end of the day, if you want your child to have a chance to play this game…
we need people willing to officiate it.

Give us that chance.

"We need your help to remind everyone- players, coaches, and spectators- what true sportsmanship looks like. The next generation is watching, and it starts with you!"

- Ed Pomerantz
President/Founder of SAYSO

Send a message to learn more

"We need your help to remind players, coaches and fans what true sportsmanship looks like. The next generation is watching - and it starts with you!"

Sportsmanship isn’t just a game-day decision. It’s a standard.

On National Sportsmanship Day, we’re reminded that athletics are built on respect:
✔ Respect for opponents
✔ Respect for officials
✔ Respect for teammates
✔ Respect for the game

Winning matters. But character matters more.

We remain committed to protecting the purpose of high school sports — where competition and character grow together.

Thank you Protect The Game for inviting us to your podcast!!!

The PTG Pod - Season 2 Ep. 1 The PTG Podcast is where officials come to grow. From training and education to advancement opportunities and real-world experiences, we talk about everythin...

Bill would make assaulting sports officials a felony in Rhode Island A law that would make officiating local sports games safer is on the table at the Rhode Island State House this session.

The official SAYSO Group: SAYSO - STOP ABUSING YOUR SPORTS OFFICIALS

Anyone can join the movement today!

We need everyone to help make a difference.

What a year for SAYSO.

In 2025, we made real progress raising awareness around the abuse of sports officials.

• Visited two Little League fields
• Delivered three public monologues, two of them reached 18,000+ views in one day
• Invited onto a podcast (with another coming soon)
• Expanded our presence in the youth sports community

None of this happens alone.
Every share, conversation, and show of support helped move this mission forward.

Life isn’t fair, but sports should still be led with respect, accountability, and integrity.

Looking ahead, 2026 will be a year of action: opening grant cycles, donation outreach, and expanding partnerships across all levels of officiating.

Thank you for believing in this mission.
We’re just getting started.

Send a message to learn more