Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve
For a newer and less experienced umpire, the weekend National Umpire School is an appropriate level and tool. For someone more experienced, has already worked at a Qualifier, State, Regional, or ASA National level, that is often a weekend spent with minimal gain. In our state, that is one of several "continuing education" opportunities that are required annually to be eligible to work a National. It is a fairly minimal expense, minimal time demand; fairly minimal return after reaching a certain level. You get local face time, some local hob-nobbing.
In comparison, the Fast Pitch Camp (and Slow Pitch Camp) is intended for the more advanced umpire. The top staff members in ASA, live game critique, more advanced students for a higher level of learning. It is a serious time commitment, a serious overall expense, and for the umpire that is serious about moving into the highest levels in ASA. If you want to be on that list that is considered for 18 Gold or Men's Major, or Women's Major Nationals, you need to do this. Even if you don't want those, but want to be considered at that level, this is where you go to show your stuff.
To work NCAA D1, you need to go to an evaluation camp. You need to be seen by (in your area) Lurline H., Dora M., Walt S., Kevin D. To work Regionals, Super-Regionals, you need to be seen by Emily A., Ed C., Kathy S. In ASA, if you want 18 Gold, etc., you need to be seen by KR, JJ, and JC. This is how and where you do that; and, you will learn from that group (although some is contradictory to the NCAA way).
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