Andy, we can all agree that advanced mechanics are not for everyone. If it was, it would no longer be advanced mechanics, it would just be normal, as in for the masses, which it is not. The ASA fulfills its purpose.
For some, an ASA FP camp is as advanced as it might get, and I think there is a place for that. For others, it might be Steve Arnold's Next Level camp. Whatever fits, I say use it, but any level deserves questioning and challenge to keep it on its toes.
One thing that gets me how tolerant college umpires were to my ASA mechanics but the sheer intolerance of the nazi ASA and its devout gestapo attack cabal.
The other side might be greener, but it isn't the grass.
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Originally Posted by Andy
I agree with you in theory...advanced umpires should be allowed to use advanced mechanics that are potentially better for the game and level they are calling.
Where this falls apart is, who or how is it determined which umpires are advanced? This is especially true when you have a collection of umpires from across a wide area.
Case in point..ASA 18Gold National a few years back. 40 umpires from all regions of the country. I posed the question to the UIC...why can't we (advanced umpires) use the advanced mechanics at this level?
The response I got back was...How do you know all of the umpires here are "advanced" umpires? We have three umpires here who have told me (UIC) that they have NEVER worked a three umpire game. Granted that should fall back on those that sent them to this tournament knowing that the majority of the tournament was going to be in the three umpire system, but the fact remains that had two experienced and advanced umpires been working with one of these three and tried to use the advanced mechanics, it would have screwed things up even more than they already were.
I don't necessarily like the ASA position of one set of basic mechanics for the entire umpire population, but I understand the reasoning behind it.
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