The 2023 Cumbria Cricket League season starts on April 22 and an urgent appeal has gone out for more umpires.
Six seasoned officials won’t be standing next season and there have been no new recruits.
The tragic sudden death of Arthur Lamb has robbed the League of a respected official and two other stalwarts Andrew Mason and Mike Dawson have announced they won’t be standing this year.
Howard Moon is the co-ordinator for the Umpires Association, charged with the job of arranging umpires for the League matches.
He said: “I have 21 that I can rely on to be available but the problem is everyone is getting older, and nobody seems interested in taking on an umpire’s role.
“I suppose the average age of our current umpires is 65 plus and health issues, as well as family commitments, have had an impact.
“We do have a young man of 17, Lewis Austin from Wigton who is keen and stood at the Barnard Castle Festival.
“But he hasn’t officiated in the Cumbria League yet and, of course, is still keen on playing.
“What we have been looking for are ex-players who have recently retired from the game to come forward and stay involved as umpires.
“But we have had no success despite asking a number of people over the last year or so.
“Every season that goes by is going to make it harder to send two umpires to our games unless we get more people coming forward to officiate.”
Howard has now issued a public appeal for more umpires to prevent what appears to be heading for a crisis situation.
The opening games in the Premier Division on April 22 are as follows:
Cleator v Workington; Cockermouth v Carlisle; Haverigg v Egremont; Keswick v Lindal Moor; Millom v Furness; Wigton v Whitehaven.
Anyone thinking of helping out and getting involved as a Cumbria League umpire should contact Howard Moon on 07733669647.
