Vince McMillan has spent 22 years on the field as a high school official in West Virginia, covering sports like football and softball. Over that time, he’s seen a steady decline in the number of available umpires and officials, a trend that’s beginning to impact the state’s sports programs at all levels.
As a past president and current board member of the Mid-Ohio Valley Umpires Association, McMillan knows firsthand the challenges of finding enough officials to cover games.
Over the last decade, McMillan has witnessed a steady decrease in the number of officials across all sports, with softball and baseball taking the hardest hits. Football has struggled too, and while basketball has managed to hold its ground, McMillan and other officials are noticing a troubling trend.
“It’s getting to the point now where we’re almost having to tell teams to reschedule games because we don’t have enough umpires to cover,” said McMillan. “Middle school games, in particular, are a huge concern. We’ve even had to do games with just one umpire.”
The shortage has become particularly noticeable at the middle school level, where the lack of available officials has led to games being played with minimal staffing. To combat this, the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission (WVSSAC) has loosened its requirements in an attempt to attract more individuals to officiate.
For example, 16-year-olds can now take training and officiate non-varsity games. While this has helped in some areas, McMillan believes more needs to be done. He’s calling on younger individuals — and even older adults — to consider becoming officials, emphasizing the financial and personal rewards that can come with the role.
“You can go out and make $70 or $75 per game doing a middle school softball game as a high school student,” McMillan noted. “That’s a pretty good deal for someone looking to make extra money while getting involved in sports.”
The WVSSAC has made it easy to start by offering training and certification programs online. Interested individuals can visit the official WVSSAC website to find training modules and register for classes.
In addition to online learning, new officials must complete 30 hours of field training to get the practical experience they need. McMillan himself offers training opportunities in the summer, including tournaments in places like Columbus, Ohio, where participants can earn money while gaining valuable experience.
“If you want to get serious about it, you can work your way into programs like USA Softball’s elite league and qualify for national championships or college games,” McMillan explained. “It’s a chance to develop your skills, meet experienced umpires, and make some real money in the process.”
McMillan also highlighted the financial potential for students, especially high school and college-aged individuals. He mentioned that with consistent work, someone just starting as a high school freshman could earn $9,000 to $10,000 in a single softball season.
“For students, it’s a great way to make more money than you would at a fast-food job,” McMillan said. “Softball and baseball have longer seasons compared to football, which is limited to a short window each year.”
For those concerned about handling irate parents or fans, McMillan reassured them that every official starts with some anxiety. But with experience, it becomes easier to handle the pressure. “The best way to handle it is to simply tune it out,” he said. “We’ll help you build your confidence on the field, and you’ll learn quickly how to stand behind every call.”
Ultimately, McMillan emphasized that being a good umpire is not only about making calls — it’s about being committed to the sport and respecting the athletes. “The kids work too hard for you not to go out there and do a good job,” McMillan concluded.
Now more than ever, West Virginia needs people willing to step up and fill the growing demand for umpires and sports officials. Whether you’re young or old, male or female, there’s a place for you on the field. The opportunities are there — all you have to do is take the first step.
