Umpires courses to start in October
by Paul Barker, 1st September 2006

The need for umpires has now become a major talking point and the situation is without doubt getting worse every year. What makes matters worse and it would be comical if it wasn’t so serious is that on several occasions this season, when sides have left their score on the Bassetlaw results line they have finished off their statement with the comment that no umpires were present at our match!

It then makes one automatically pick up ones league handbook and you find that these clubs have supplied the league with no umpires whatsoever. I then look back through handbooks of years gone by and at no times did these clubs ever provide any umpires for the league.

However it is not surprising that these people are the first to moan, because in all forms of life they usually are. At one time of the day, every side in the Bassetlaw League had to provide two active umpires to officiate on the pool, but that system has not been enforced as rigidly as it used to be over the last few years. However there are now moves afoot for this rule to be more forcibly adhered to when new clubs are admitted to the league.

So the situation is simply more than serious, and clubs must be made aware of their responsibilities to provide competent umpires to officiate in the league. As I have stated many times before it is amazing how many good players who loved the game and have now retired from playing are simply lost from the game.

The Bassetlaw and District Association and the Derbyshire Umpires Association would like anyone to get in touch with them and they will help them all they can to achieve their aim and become an official of the game. Believe me, if you have played it is the next best thing and is much better than walking round the ground simply watching the match.

You are still involved and whilst you won’t be batting, bowling or fielding, the banter between players and officials is stimulating and extremely enjoyable and I speak from 17 years experience. As well as that it is not only a male domain, women are most welcome to become umpires as well and whilst they might hear a few choice words occasionally, you can hear that in any walk of life, just switch your television set on!

Two courses are scheduled to star in the first week in October at the New Inn at Winsick. The first once commences on Monday 2^nd October and lasts for ten weeks. It begins at 7.30 p.m. and is devised for the new and casual umpire and will cover all the laws of cricket. The optional G L 6 examination will be held at the end of this course.

The second course commences on Thursday 5^th October at the same venue and has an eight-week span. It starts at 7.30 p.m. and is designed for Umpires who have passed the G L 6 examination and are interested in progressing to the G L 5 and it is also suitable for those intending to carry on to G L 4. It is also a very handy course for revision for the experienced and qualified umpires.

However and this point must be stressed the examinations are optional and nobody is forcing anyone to take them. If you simply wish to put something back into the game that you have enjoyed for many years, please come along and give it a try, you will enjoy it, I can guarantee that.

Any further details can be gleaned on both courses by telephoning John Heaman on 01246 221621 or Gerry Graney on 01623 642138.

The situation in all our local cricket leagues is getting more serious every year. Please do your bit for our great game by coming along to these courses and eventually donning the white coat. Once you have tasted what it is like, you will wait with anticipation for every weekend to arrive. It gets you that way and you never lose this feeling.