[MajorDave]

I just gave my views of what works for me.

Have you ever subscribed and read the articles? They are not news. There are some deep, well researched, experience based commentary articles written with conviction and a significant amount of care and effort by most of the writers.

We don't have to debate publicly or privately. I am not moralizing on you or anyone else. I am stating my opinion and I respect yours. I am however trying to convince you and anyone else reading our little debate of my position that more readers, posters and lurkers on the forum should be paid members. JMO.

If you have never subscribed you will never know what I am talking about. I originally subscribed only because I wanted a BRD in 2006. I did not subscribe in 2007 because Carl did not publish a BRD. I missed the articles and re-subscribed for 2008. I have gone back and re-read some of the articles and researched the archives quite a bit this fall/winter and now that I have more training and experience they make even more sense to me. I don't think I would be working the level of games that I am now without the information I have gained from reading and studying these articles along with the rule books, Jaksa/Roder, the BRD, the CCA manual and the forums combined with working a heavy schedule of games from February to November each of the last three years.

So, do whatever you want. I have fun umpiring but I also take it very seriously and I approach it like a profession. I am working toward personal goals I have set for myself. Membership has its privileges and I think that if more people who use this forum were paid members of the website we wouldn't need the advertising someone complained about when they started this thread.

Take it for what its worth. Spend your money any way you like. I don't think you would be wasting it if you joined and used the archives. Remember there are many other sports covered here as well. If you officiate any others.