[aahblue]

First, let me start off by telling everyone that the 2001 ASA Advanced Umpire School held in Killen/Ft. Hood, Texas was outstanding. The hospitality, accommodations, festivities, games, training, staff, and everything else I left out were outstanding! This year's school was moved from Oklahoma City to Killeen, and based on the tremendous success, it was announced that Killeen will host the school for the next five years. I highly recommend that anyone interested in taking their umpiring to the next level should attend this school. Like everything in Texas, Killeen did this one up big. There's already a waiting list started for next year from those unable to get into this year's school. Make plans to attend, you won't be sorry you did.

Mike, my ego will never be big enough to keep me from working the Umpires Tournament. I worked games last year in Fairfax and look forward to heading to Charlottesville this year. I encourage the other regions to put together an event like ours, it's a blast. Umpires playing and officiating umpires, and let's not forget about the big party on Saturday night, it can make games on Sunday morning a little rough to say the least.