High school baseball and softball umpires in Michigan make up to $100 for a day's work. But this month, Michigan umpires are focusing on a special cause that's bringing them all together.
Baseball and softball umpires from mid-Michigan pledged their first game fees in May for the third straight year toward the continued improvement of children’s health care in their part of the state.
More than 125 umpires working baseball and softball games at 20 locations in the central part of the state donated their game fee to Officials For Kids, a charitable initiative of the Michigan High School Athletic Association in conjunction with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
A group of umpires assigned to games in the Lansing area by Ken Sudall was with the program for the third straight year; and the Heart of Michigan Officials Association, with umpires assigned by Bruce Moss of Alma, is participating for the second time.
Sudall said Officials for Kids has existed for eight years. The first year his umpires were with the program, they donated $8,700. The amount was $8,000 last season. This season, the umpires raised $14,000. Sudall has been an umpire for 40 years. He said he worked hard to get the Officials for Kids program in place.
“It was the perfect plan, officials giving back to the community,” Sudall said.
The project has expanded across Michigan this season with the involvement of the Heart of Michigan Officials Association.
“This year there's more awareness,” he said. “At various locations, we were passing cannisters throughout the stands. This will bring recognition into the program. Our goal is for all 14,000 of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) officials to donate $100 apiece to this program.”
