SOURCES OF STRESS AMONG BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL UMPIRES

This study examined sources of stress among baseball and softball umpi res. A revised sources of stress scale from the Ontario Soccer Officia ls Survey (OSOS) was completed by 782 certified umpires from randomly chosen umpire associations in one state. Principal components factor a nalysis of responses by half the subjects, with oblimin rotation, reve aled four correlated factors (Fear of Failure, Fear of Physical Harm, Time Pressure, and Interpersonal Conflict). These factors accounted fo r 44.4% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis of responses by the remaining subjects with LISREL7 supported the reliability of the e xploratory analysis, with an Adjusted Goodness-of-Fit Index of .90. Ac cumulating research suggests there are common, though not very potent, sources of stress among sport officials, but future research should e xamine sources of stress in officials of other sports. Stress manageme nt and situational interventions could benefit the minority of officia ls who perceive these sources of stress as significant.