Quote:
Originally Posted by luvthegame
Welcome aboard Smokey.
Are they working 3 man?
What are they paying?
Will you be able to have fun with that crew??  |
Thanks for the accolades, but seeing how dangerous it is in here, I may crawl back into lurking mode. Before I do that here are a few answers and thoughts:
From what I understand:
Mon/Tue: Two person mechanics.
Wed-Fri: Three person mechanics
Sat (not sure whether it is all Sat or just the finals): Four person mechanics
I have been told that the tournament is paying $50 a game
Have fun with that crew???? It is very seldom that I am able to work with a group of umpires where I am truly the rookie. I cannot believe the names that I am told will be participating.
As far as the ASA discussion going on: I cannot believe that they would have any grievances against umpires that work this tournament or elsewhere. From what I can tell, all of these officials are ASA umpires, yet none of these would be working nationals. For various reasons. Many of them have been there and done that while some of us just aren’t qualified.
Myself, I am ASA registered, but not certified. So, I am ineligible. I would be sitting home that week dreaming of softball. Plus, having the tmnt here allows me the flexibility to be employee, umpire and Daddy all at the same time while stay home for once.
I am not certified simply because I choose to work Div I softball preseason tournaments rather than take a weekend off and attend the mandatory ASA mechanics clinic. I could easily not umpire one weekend in Feb or March and complete my ASA training, but I choose to enhance my family’s income instead. MY decision, not theirs. It is not their fault, it is I who chooses not to play by the rules. I do attend the ASA rules clinic every year and make sure that I am up to date with the current philosophies.
Am I naïve to believe that ASA does not care what umpires do outside of their tournaments? Being independant contractors, don't they understand that we might work for others. If they do complain about this (which I'm sure they wouldn't), do they complain about ASA umpires working in AFA, USSSA, High School, College? Or do none of those organizations pose a threat to their organization? Forgive me. I'm trying to figure out where the problem my lie (if there is one).
Maybe there is an issue that I am unaware of. But, if they have a problem (as I said, IF) it is a fight that would be creating, not us.
I cannot speak for any of the umpires on the list that will be working this championship other than myself. But, I do not have a grievance against ASA. This decision to work in HB is not a shun against ASA, but rather an opportunity to work some great softball with some great umpires while I stay at home. Any one of you who has met me, talked with me, drained a pitcher or two with me or even attended one of my camps (God help you) can attest to the fact that I praise ASA and their role in developing softball umpires. I will never speak bad about the way that ASA builds great umpires out of raw talent. They are and always will be the leader in primary umpire development.
I need to stop. My beer ran out.