Central Circuit Membership
This past year a strategic planning on-line survery was conducted by the USPA to help identify high priority issues of our membership. One of the items that came out of the survey was a high priority for clubs and members to improve the quality and availability of umpires. In an effort to promote and provide umpires at more USPA sanctioned events, a program that was initiated was the USPA Circuit Umpires Expense Reimbursement Program. Under this program, the USPA circuit governor is empowered to pick two USPA sanctioned events played at members club, within their respective circuits, to be entitled for expense reimbursement for 2 B rated, or higher rated umpires.
The reimbursement will include travel, housing or per diem expenses and umpire fees based on the listed rates (below), for USPA professional umpires. The umpires need only be USPA currently certified, and not necessarily professional umpires. The request for the umpires should be sent to the circuit governor, and then based upon his selection, will be forwarded on to the Head Umpire Instructor (HUI), Steve Lane, for his approval.
In 2011 each USPA circuit will be allocated $5,400 in total for two USPA events per circuit ($2,700 per event). The HUI and club manager, or host tournament committee of the circuit governors designated club will review and mutually agree on the umpire expense reimbursement prior to the event. HUI will then verify all club submitted requests for reimbursement from the Reimbursement Program. All expense requests such as airfare and lodging must be at the "most economical" level, and be pre-approved by the HUI.
I hope everyone will try to take advantage of this unique offering by the USPA, if not this season then certainly in upcoming years. There are a limited number of weekends and equally limited number of upmires, so please respond back to me as soon as possible. Have a great and safe season!!!
Britt Baker
Central Circuit Governor
1-515-669-0300 Cell Phone
