[scottk_61]

Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA


Okay, let's try this one. What organization trains most of the better umpires?


Granted, it is usually ASA but not always


There is no question that umpires are ICs and can do what they please. However, like it or not, there is also no entitlement here either.

I know of umpires which I have trained who will not work ASA tournaments, but will suck up PONY, NSA, etc. in a heart beat. Why? Because most of them are lazy umpires who only see the green, wear what THEY please and work the games in the manner THEY see fit, organization be damned.

All I've ever asked is that when I need umpires, they give me the same consideration that they expect from me. Unfortunately, there are too many umpires that believe it is all about them, and the street runs one-way. Luckily, I don't need those umpires as much as they believe, but the day will come that I may and what do you think I will get in return for all the training, clinics, schools and phone calls I receive all hours of the day and night? Not a damn thing. BTW, other than a $15 charge for the DASA State Umpire School, all training in Delaware is free of charge.


And then, to top all of that, these same umpires whine about not being sent away to work Nationals. Forget the fact they refuse to go to a National School. Forget the fact that their idea of attending a clinic is signing in and bull****ting for 3 hours in a local bar. Forget the fact that they even ask me for an opinion about a play encountered working for an opposing organization and I'll do the best to give them an intelligent answer.

I don't agree with what some commissioners and UICs do (BTW, I know as a fact that some of these UICs take that stand at the direction of their commissioners), but unless you've stood on this side of the fence, you are speaking without full knowledge of a good part of the discussion.


Mike, I have been exactly where you are at.
After quite a bit of frustration with a commissioner that is neither honest or ethical, we couldn't keep good umpires working.
The unpires do not desire to work for unethical commissioners (or UIC's when that happens)
We still offer training and have many people who work many levels of play both within and without ASA.
We have a great number of ISF umpires as well as USA/ASA Elite.
More and more of them are turning away from ASA due to the unethical behavior and no real course of appeal when it comes to that behavior.
It has been commonly said by many I know that when they get a real commissioner, they will return to ASA but until then they will work elsewhere.

In other words, they gave up on the BS and chose not to be a part of the vindictive behavior.

Now having said what I did, the same thing happens in all the other codes too.
It is not unique to ASA or any other code.

Don't whine and cry about the umpires who do work for the green only if you are unable to instill in them a sense of committment and reliability of your organization.

I don't have a real answer as to how to correct it,
If I did, maybe all the umpires and the teams would be happier but until then, we don't have much we can do.

You are the UIC and actually you are powerless unless your commissioner grants you authority. I believe your commissioner is a pretty good person, not all of them are.



I do not believe or operate in a vindictive manner toward umpires like this, but if you put yourselves in the shoes of people responsible for getting umpires to work Championship Play, you may have a different opinion. [/B][/QUOTE]