Purely semantics, but just to make sure some rooks don't misunderstand, there is no such thing as a NCAA softball umpire of any division, at least not yet. You and your wife are umpires who work NCAA softball games.
You were correct about the semantics, I stated that poorly. I should have said that we are on the approved Umpire Lists for D1 Conferences. However, the NCAA is working on some National Umpire system.
I do understand where you are coming from. It seems that in your area, the standards are a little more flexible and cheaper, ie one state school in the first 3 years for $15, and no charge for anything else.
Around here we must attend a state school every year at $30(each) and a rules interpritation meeting at $25(each). If you don't then you will not work states. Like I said, I understand the need to have some way of determining skill levels and dedication. I just also believe that there always other alternatives.
Do we expect to move ahead of other umpires just because we work NCAA, NO. We were asked, we accepted, and then the problems started because we could not attend this clinic. That is what I was complaining about.
You are correct in saying that there are certain functions we must attend to stay eligible for NCAA ball. These are scheduled 1 year in advance so the chances of conflicts are minimized. To avoid these problems with our local stuff, we received the the dates for our summer meetings(Our UIC thought I was crazy for wanting the dates 1 year in advance).
Please don't misunderstand me, umpiring has been very very good to us. We have been able to travel from Montreal to Florida to Oaklahoma just to call some ball and have made some great friends along the way. Who knows....Our paths may someday cross
