Softball will be in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

While I tend to agree, plenty of USA athletes back in the day were about as "amateur" as Power 5 Conference football players are "students".

And, taking this to the extreme, those Soviet-bloc athletes were, in fact, professional athletes in every sense of the word being employed by the state (e.g. Soviet Army) as full-time athletes.

And I don't care, it has become absolutely ridiculous. The soviet bloc is gone, there is only one germany and the US would still do well under the previous questionable circumstances. I got over that bullshit years ago.

Hell, the pro US basketball players are coddled, do not stay with the other athletes which is the way it has been since the first "Dream Team".

IMO, one of the worst things they do is tout the medal count. What I do watch, I watch to appreciate the sport and skill of all the athletes

[teebob21]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

What I do watch, I watch to appreciate the sport and skill of all the athletes

And this is why I would love to be eligible to be selected for the 2024/2028 Olympics. Just want to watch the game at its highest level up close and personal. Not going to happen but dammit I'll try to get my hat in for that 0.000...000...0001% chance. I mean, I buy Powerball tickets every now and again, so you can't say I'll ever give up hope

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by teebob21

And this is why I would love to be eligible to be selected for the 2024/2028 Olympics. Just want to watch the game at its highest level up close and personal. Not going to happen but dammit I'll try to get my hat in for that 0.000...000...0001% chance. I mean, I buy Powerball tickets every now and again, so you can't say I'll ever give up hope

Go here

[teebob21]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Go here

Working on it. Is it no longer required to earn ASA Elite first?

[Crabby_Bob]

Originally Posted by teebob21

Working on it. Is it no longer required to earn ASA Elite first?

Isn't Elite the "[...] highest umpire level within their National Federation [...]"?

[teebob21]

Originally Posted by Crabby_Bob

Isn't Elite the "[...] highest umpire level within their National Federation [...]"?

Pretty sure. I didn't read the application before I posted. I was still assuming Elite was required, and I've got 0/2 qualifying ASA/USA Nationals under my belt at this point, so there's that.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by teebob21

Pretty sure. I didn't read the application before I posted. I was still assuming Elite was required, and I've got 0/2 qualifying ASA/USA Nationals under my belt at this point, so there's that.

That is correct. You must first have ASA/USA Elite as a prerequisite to application.

Even then, some (I can attest) never get assignments, even if a more highly rated umpire at that certification school. Politics play a hand here.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by teebob21

Pretty sure. I didn't read the application before I posted. I was still assuming Elite was required, and I've got 0/2 qualifying ASA/USA Nationals under my belt at this point, so there's that.

It is required to be Elite prior to applying for WBSC (formerly ISF) certification.

Don't worry about it.....you will get there!

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by teebob21

And this is why I would love to be eligible to be selected for the 2024/2028 Olympics. Just want to watch the game at its highest level up close and personal. Not going to happen but dammit I'll try to get my hat in for that 0.000...000...0001% chance. I mean, I buy Powerball tickets every now and again, so you can't say I'll ever give up hope