My first National I was broke and the expense of Uniforms, etc. really hurt me. I went in with a "counting game" mentality. My attitude ruined my National experience and it showed in my umpiring.
The second National I did I saved for like I would save for a vacation and truly enjoyed the experience, and it showed in my umpiring. I learned a lot, and made good friends. Plus made it to Sunday.
You do need to be financial prepared to work a National. If you do not plan for it, like a vacation, then you and your umpiring will suffer. This is not fair to the tournament, teams, parents, and your fellow umpires. But, more important... this is not fair to yourself because you will not get out of it what you should have gotten out of it!
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