Across the first four rounds, the region has had strong numbers in its umpiring department, meaning fingers are only raised when a wicket is correct — mostly.
Cricket Shepparton umpire director Brett Sharp said this had been the best season for umpiring — numbers-wise — since before the pandemic.
“We have 22 umpires on our books this year, which is enough to fill our A-grade, B-grade, C-grade and a couple in D-grade now,” Sharp said.
“Because the last couple of years, we have struggled to fill even B-grade.
“We also have umpires coming in from outside the Shepparton district, which is a good thing.”
The reason for the growth in umpire numbers across the region?
Sharp gave an honest answer.
“I have no idea whatsoever,” he said with a laugh.
“Other than we put it out there like we do every year as we are always looking for umpires and we put it out on the Cricket Shepparton Facebook page, in the paper, on the radio and now numbers all of a sudden have risen.
“We are not knocking it back that is for sure.
“I’m not going to be greedy at this stage that is for sure, I am very thankful for all the umpires that have come on board this season.”
While the numbers are good for now, Sharp said he and Cricket Shepparton were trying to figure out how to keep the number of umpires in the region on a steady rise.
“If we could keep it up that would be fantastic,” he said.
“A few of our umpires are on the wrong side of 60, including myself.
“We don’t know how long they will last.
“There are guys who do it who are cricket tragics and just love the game, we can’t play anymore and this is the only way we can stay in touch.
“When you are umpiring you have the best seat in the house.”
If you are interested in becoming an umpire, reach out to Cricket Shepparton via its Facebook page.
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