Insured or Not

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Violates NFHS rules if that is what you are using.
Also, wearing USA SB uniforms for unsanctioned games.

It's not just a local thing in Connecticut. This is out of their Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Handbook:

7.3 OFFICIALS

7.3.A. CIAC RECOGNIZED OFFICIALS GROUPS

The CIAC has recognized the following officials groups to officiate high school contests:
Connecticut State Board of Approved Baseball Umpires
Connecticut State Board of Approved Basketball Officials
Connecticut Football Officials Association
Connecticut Field Hockey Association Official’s Board
Connecticut Charter of National Association of Women’s Gymnastic Judges
Connecticut Chapter of National Ice Hockey Officials
Connecticut Lacrosse Officials Association
Western Connecticut Lacrosse Officials Association
Connecticut Women’s Lacrosse Officials Association
Connecticut National Federation of Softball Umpires (Affiliated with USA Softball CT)
Connecticut Soccer Officials Association
Connecticut Swimming Officials Association
Western Connecticut Swimming Officials Association
Connecticut Board of Volleyball Officials
Connecticut Wrestling Officials Association

So apparently the use of softball umpires in CT high school ball are affiliated with USA Softball.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Manny A

So apparently the use of softball umpires in CT high school ball are affiliated with USA Softball.

We are too in our Association, but we know two sets of rules, attend clinics for both, and wear uniforms by each book.

[Mbilica]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

We are too in our Association, but we know two sets of rules, attend clinics for both, and wear uniforms by each book.

We have 2 clinics as well

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[Dakota]

Members of the NFHS Officials Association receive insurance for ALL levels of sports recognized by the state high school association. This covers youth as well as adult sports and is not restricted to high school games.

So, since MSHSL recognizes fastpitch softball, I am covered by the NFHS insurance if I officiate women's fastpitch (for example), but not men's (since MSHSL does not recognize boys fastpitch).

NFHS Officials Association insurance covers general liability and excess accident medical. For accident medical, you are first covered by your own insurance (e.g. through your day-job employer), and the NFHS insurance picks up where that leaves off. Insurance is provided by Dissinger Reed.

National Federation of State High School Associations - Dissinger Reed

I've never had to file a claim, so my knowledge is based purely on what I have read, not what I have experienced.

However, it does mean that when I register with USA, I am double paying for insurance I don't need, and unless I was going to officiate sports not recognized by the MSHSL, I certainly would not benefit from NASO insurance.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Members of the NFHS Officials Association receive insurance for ALL levels of sports recognized by the state high school association. This covers youth as well as adult sports and is not restricted to high school games.

So, since MSHSL recognizes fastpitch softball, I am covered by the NFHS insurance if I officiate women's fastpitch (for example), but not men's (since MSHSL does not recognize boys fastpitch).

NFHS Officials Association insurance covers general liability and excess accident medical. For accident medical, you are first covered by your own insurance (e.g. through your day-job employer), and the NFHS insurance picks up where that leaves off. Insurance is provided by Dissinger Reed.

National Federation of State High School Associations - Dissinger Reed

I've never had to file a claim, so my knowledge is based purely on what I have read, not what I have experienced.

Good info.

Originally Posted by Dakota

However, it does mean that when I register with USA, I am double paying for insurance I don't need, and unless I was going to officiate sports not recognized by the MSHSL, I certainly would not benefit from NASO insurance.

Doesn't NASO provide more liability coverage?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

We are too in our Association, but we know two sets of rules, attend clinics for both, and wear uniforms by each book.

Most local softball associations I've been with are the same. We worked JuCo and high school, as well as local rec leagues under ASA, Little League, and PONY. So we wore the appropriate logoed uniforms for the organization in question. We would never wear ASA stuff for high school ball, or vice versa.

I just find it odd that an official state high school manual would specifically list that their softball umpires come from an association that is affiliated with USA Softball. Why not just say the umpires come from Connecticut National Federation of Softball Umpires, and leave it at that? And is USA Softball okay with that fact?

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Manny A

....I just find it odd that an official state high school manual would specifically list that their softball umpires come from an association that is affiliated with USA Softball. Why not just say the umpires come from Connecticut National Federation of Softball Umpires, and leave it at that? And is USA Softball okay with that fact?

The NFHS (and NCAA, for that matter) are affiliated members of USA Softball.

From what I understand, many state HS Governing bodies have agreements with individual officials associations to train officials and assign HS contests in their respective areas.

My assumption is that the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference has recognized and approved USA Softball of Connecticut to train and assign softball umpires. I don't believe this necessarily means that USA SB uniforms are to be worn when working HS games in CT.

[Mbilica]

Originally Posted by Andy

The NFHS (and NCAA, for that matter) are affiliated members of USA Softball.

From what I understand, many state HS Governing bodies have agreements with individual officials associations to train officials and assign HS contests in their respective areas.

My assumption is that the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference has recognized and approved USA Softball of Connecticut to train and assign softball umpires. I don't believe this necessarily means that USA SB uniforms are to be worn when working HS games in CT.

Our local umpire association executive board is of the opinion that since we use the USA Softball insurance, we are obligated to wear the logo when umpiring HS softball. I live near the edge of the geographic area my association covers, however, and the umpires I see from other associations wear blank hats and plain blues, with no logos at all.

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[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Mbilica

Our local umpire association executive board is of the opinion that since we use the USA Softball insurance, we are obligated to wear the logo when umpiring HS softball.

What, are they concerned that an umpire who doesn't wear a logoed shirt is not going to be covered by USA Softball Insurance if something happens to him/her? I seriously doubt that should an umpire need to file a claim, there's a question on the claim paperwork that asks, "Were you wearing a proper ASA uniform when the incident occurred?"

And, for the record, I've never been told I had to wear a uniform with a NASO logo on it to be covered. And I've worked plenty of games wearing the ASA logo but don't have their insurance. I haven't been told that wasn't inappropriate. But I digress...

[Mbilica]

Originally Posted by Manny A

What, are they concerned that an umpire who doesn't wear a logoed shirt is not going to be covered by USA Softball Insurance if something happens to him/her? I seriously doubt that should an umpire need to file a claim, there's a question on the claim paperwork that asks, "Were you wearing a proper ASA uniform when the incident occurred?"

And, for the record, I've never been told I had to wear a uniform with a NASO logo on it to be covered. And I've worked plenty of games wearing the ASA logo but don't have their insurance. I haven't been told that wasn't inappropriate. But I digress...

I know. It is nonsensical, but we do what the bylaws say.

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[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Manny A

What, are they concerned that an umpire who doesn't wear a logoed shirt is not going to be covered by USA Softball Insurance if something happens to him/her? I seriously doubt that should an umpire need to file a claim, there's a question on the claim paperwork that asks, "Were you wearing a proper ASA uniform when the incident occurred?"

And, for the record, I've never been told I had to wear a uniform with a NASO logo on it to be covered. And I've worked plenty of games wearing the ASA logo but don't have their insurance. I haven't been told that wasn't inappropriate. But I digress...

If you paid the ASA registration fee in your state (VA or SC), then you were automatically enrolled and covered by the ASA umpire insurance as a part of that registration; whether you were told that or not.

Wearing an ASA umpire uniform has no significance in the BollingerASA insurance program; the requirements are that all participants (teams and umpires) be registered, and that an approved ASA assignor (anyone the Commissioner says is approved) assign the games. It is up to the ASA Commissioner to verify and sign off on all these factors; I've been part of the process in approving these claims, and the uniform is absolutely not required. My Commissioner only asked me to confirm that I assigned the game to the claimant, and if I was made aware of the injury as part of that assignment.

As a former State UIC, I'm sure IrishMafia has had similar experiences.

[SNIPERBBB]

Originally Posted by Manny A

And is USA Softball okay with that fact?

Does USA consider scholastic ball a competitor? Some areas might be weird but I doubt you could find enough players during the scholastic season to field a traveling team.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by SNIPERBBB

Does USA consider scholastic ball a competitor? Some areas might be weird but I doubt you could find enough players during the scholastic season to field a traveling team.

USA/ASA has had a secondary (optional) insurance plan for registered umpires that covers when working other sports, and extends some softball coverages; it specifically excludes competitor softball games (ie, USSSA, NSA, etc.).

At the same time, it DOES state coverage for umpiring softball for high school, college, junior college, and SCMAF (in CA). I would take that to mean that USA Softball considers those as affiliated groups, not competitors.

Originally Posted by https://www.rpsbollinger.com/media/81770/mc_0000292-insuranceguide.pdf

Q: Am I covered while officiating any kind of softball games?
A: No, the plan only covers USA Softball softball, High School, Junior College, College and (in California) SCMAF softball. No coverage is provided for officiating softball for competing softball organizations.