Quote:
Originally Posted by vcblue
I have noticed that So-cal ASA umpire rule knowledge has been on a steady decline over the past few years. IMHO this is a direct result of the open book test. In So-cal we receive the test at the mechanics clinic and then have two weeks to complete the test. It is open book and I know some umpires that get together as a group to complete the test.
ASA needs to go back to a closed book test and force the umpires to get in to the book to correct their mistakes. I know So-Cal ASA went to open book to have more umpire qualified for Championship play, but are they really qualified?
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The idea of the open book test IS to get umpires into the rule book. Have a closed book test and someone just gets by, what do you think the chances of them opening the rule book are?
However, if they cannot pass an open book test, what good is going back to make the corrections? There needs to be a mini-clinic at this point, but often the problem is by that time, everyone is already on the field. In my area, it is nearly impossible to get people just to show up as association meetings.
Then there are the organizations that do not have meetings. The umpires are handed their test with a "see you in the fall" farewell.
Of course, if they ever get the damn thing on-line, we will all be better off.