Top umpire Randy Butler admits that his members are finding it tough to meet the demands of a busy cricket schedule.

The perennial shortage of qualified officials has limited Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association to often appointing just one umpire to Premier Division games, causing some clubs to quietly voice their concern.

As yet no club has publicly complained, but it's recognised that teams have been unhappy when only one official has shown up for their game, therefore increasing the chances of poor decisions being made.

The headache of finding extra umpires has been particularly painful on weekends in which Bermuda Cricket Board have scheduled a full slate of matches on both Saturday and Sunday.

"We are running on a tight schedule, that's for sure," said Butler, who is secretary of the BCUA.

"To be honest we haven't had a full slate of umpires for the season yet, that's 16 umpires on a normal day for Premier and First Division games. We have guys on different work shifts which make them unavailable, but we also have some members who are just not interested in doing games at the present moment."

According to Butler, it was pleasing to see a regular like George Francis come out on the weekend for the first time this season but there are a few other regulars who are causing the Association concern as they haven't as yet surfaced.

In a bid to ease the shortage, Butler himself was one of the busier officials on the weekend, umpiring at a Premier Division game at White Hill on Saturday and following that up with another Premier Division game at Lord's on Sunday.

But not many of his fellow members are prepared to officiate on successive days.

"Some of the guys are saying that they are not going to be giving us two consecutive days on the weekend because it's too demanding. Some have to find time to spend with their families while some have other commitments," he said.

"With George back in action and with people like Shawn Woolridge calling and saying that he will come out and assist despite having a leg injury, it is helping the situation."

The secretary conceded, however, that the $60 per match that umpires were paid for nearly eight hours of work wasn't sufficient to persuade people to join their ranks.