|
ASA in Indiana also does a good job of giving umpires OPPORTUNITIES for training...if they want it.
Our HS association actually holds meetings throughout the winter to discuss rules, etc. We are going to be holding an "on-field" session for review and new umpires also.
One thing I noticed about HS/ASA umpires is that those who work ASA also are better than those who just do HS. Those who work NSA/AFA/USSSA/all other alphabet combinations (in addition to HS) are also better than those who just work HS ball. Why? No training.
Here you pay your money, take an open-book test, then schedule games once you've passed the test. No training except what associations offer.
As mentioned before if you're ASA trained, and work on improving yourself every day, then you'll do fine. Be careful of "greens" (umps who do it for the money) and coaches that don't know what they are doing. Know that rule book and the differences between the organizations.
And as always, TALK to partners before games to be sure you know what they are going to do. I try to call my partners the day before a game to talk to them if I don't know them.
|