[JRutledge]

You can get into the playoffs regardless of what organization you belong to. You playoff position is based on your individual ratings and individual rankings. If you are not a Certified Umpire with high ratings, you are not doing a State Final just because you are an UMPS or FVB member. Name one umpire or official that has worked a Super-Sectional by not being Certified (scheduled originally now). The problem is that no one can. All joining a group is going to do for you is determine where you work some of your games. There are some umpires that belong to both organizations.

Baseball is no different than other sports, no matter how much people would like to convince everyone here of that crap. I belong to by far one of the best football organizations, not only in the state but in the country. Our officials are successful in that organization because they are trained well and handle themselves on the field. And we have guys that are not very good in our organization (just like any organization) and those guys do not get the opportunities, because they do not put in the work or are not respected by the coaches and fellow officials. Because if the coaches and officials do not respect you, the IHSA office is not going to assign you a playoff game. And it is the IHSA office and the individuals that make these decisions.

Peace