[aceholleran]

I'm pretty sure that I am the only poster here who has worked with Tuss, and I have read this thread with interest.

I don't have time to address specific pernts with all the respondents, but I will tell you this: If I were the Big Cheese, I would have no trouble with assinging--and would promote--this arbiter to HS varsity immediately... and eventually above. Hustle, a calm demeanor and commitment are top-notch, for starters. Tell me how many of these qualities you wouldn't love to drive into the crania of some of the folks with whom you work.

I'm asking this august body to trust me and take my 31 years of work into account. This ain't about me. Tuss "has it," and the years will prove this out, if he chooses to stay on.

The only caveat: He's intelligent. As one MLB umpire told me, "They don't want you to be too smart."

Ace