[QUOTE]
Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA
Quote:
At no time did I suggest that you work exclusively for any one organization.
Rant on!
However (bet you knew that was coming), I get tired of training umpires for ASA only to have them go off and help the competition to the point that when I need them, they are not available. And that includes NFHS. In this area, the Fed training exists of "these are the new rule changes and interpretations. Have a good season." Sure, these guys/gals have no problem sucking up FREE clinics and state school to make the $63-65 a game, but when I need them for ASA games, all I hear is, "I only work HS ball" as if they have become too good to go back and help the organization which trained them to get to the point of making the big bucks.
Rant off!
I'm not suggesting you fall into this category, but I hope you can understand the frustration.
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You set me to thinking here Mike, and that can be a dangerous thing.
Rant engaged:
All too often I run into people who think that I should work just one organization of ball, primarily ASA folks, because they are the ones who provide the best training. Let's face it, the majority of us
are using mechanics developed by the ASA NUS, whether we know it or not. Therefore, these people see it as a betrayal when I go off and umpire for the "competition," whoever they may be.
To this I say "bunk," or some other word that conveys a similar meaning but isn't appropriate to post here. I have never been to a clinic at the state or national level, be it ASA or NCAA or TASO(NFHS in Texas), where I didn't have to part with some big bucks to attend. So, my belief is, if I pay for the information, then it is mine to use, where ever I see fit to use it. I have paid my tuition, diligently worked on my studies, and now I am off to apply my knowledge in the advocation of my choice. Just as when I went to college, I paid for the knowledge that they imparted to me, to persue the profession of my choice, but I didn't let them tell me where and when I could work.
During the college/HS season, I work solely HS and college ball, even though there are tons of ASA and USSSA tournaments going on during this time, not to mention nightly rec league stuff. This is what I choose to do so as to not overwork myself. Then, after playoffs have ended, I turn my attentions to ASA and USSSA stuff, primarily the weekend tournaments. If an ASA and USSSA tournament are being held on the same weekend, which would I work? Well, that, too, depends. Which is my local association covering? That would be my primary concern. Next would probably be the geographical relation of the tourney to my house. The last concern of mine would have nothing to do with amount of money paid or how much I could make, but rather my preference of the facilities at which these tournaments are being played. If all were equal, then yes, I would probably work the ASA over the USSSA, simply because that is my preference.
Rant disengaged.
Mike, I know that this doesn't apply to you, since I know that you hold free clinics in order to get the information to people who seem unwilling to "drive 30 minutes from their house" to get this info. For this, I applaud you. If someone were willing to give me a free clinic, year after year, where I could get valuable information similar to a state school, then I would be there in a heartbeat, and would probably feel a certain dedication to them and their program. But, that's just not the way it is around these parts.