Here in Noo Joisey people don't speak wif no accent.

Mike....I can only agree with half of your statement.... Most of the national tournaments are NOT in range..I have to go all the way to FLA to get to the mens major this year..( not my money, so Im ok with it we have the 16" major and A here, but nothig else..... the second part of your statement is correct..we do work HARD to get people where they need to go,and as a result, they work hard for us....That HAS been a characteristic of the region for the long time, and were trying to keep that going.

Darrell,

Please note that there are very few National in the Northeast this year. Actually only one, Girls 18U B FP in Amherst, NY.

AZ is a bit closer to OR, TX, MS, OK & CA. I don't know if it figures into the equation, but I would guess you have a few more retirees with a bit more availability and flexibility to go when a tournament comes up short.

There are people on the Elite list who sometimes work 3-4 Nationals a year because they are available to go on a moments notice. Ten years ago, Delaware wouldn't get that many in 5 years.

Hopefully, maybe ASA's new "standby" program will give others a chance.

wow....Ive heard of people with 2 (which I have NO issue with)..but not 3 or 4.... When I first started in 'bama in 1993 they were BEGGING some people to take 2 so they could just cover the local requirements. Fortunately its spread around a little more, and they tend to be a little smaller. (But Montgomery or Dothan Alabama are still THE best places to go for a national... Particularly Montgomery....). The new program is great..they should have done it sooner. Its been done in a lot of areas on an informal basis,and thats one of the big reasons some areas flourish.

I will be traveling to Amherst this Aug to work the 18U-B. It will be my first National. I plan to drive and from Maine it will be 10 -12 hours. I will be going over on the Host Exchange. Surely looking forward to it. Hope to use this as a step toward an A tourney at some point.

Duke...do a good job and keep bugging your UIC to get you places

Heard good things about both, but the folks in Mobile treated me so good, I couldn't exaggerate and do them justice. Couldn't even pay for a bag of peanuts at the minor league ballgame to which they treated us.

Theyre not bad either... Im a little partial to the state..but other places could take lessons on how to run a national from them

OK, since we're slightly off-track on subject, let me keep us slightly off-track. Going to GA in August for national. Never been there. Anybody got experience with the state of Georgia? And most importantly, will they understand my mexican accent? :)

Serg

If you're going to Marietta, expect to be treated well. I have not been there personally, but have spoken with a few guys from here in Phoenix that have done various nationals there. They say that the complex is gorgeous, there is a gym-type facility that is used to host the umpires. Locker rooms, showers, and always a buffet spread set up. I have heard the same thing from different umpires who have worked there in different years.

Andy beat me to the punch...Southern Hospitality down there

Thanks. That's exactly where I'm going. Wow!! Locker rooms and showers for umpires?? Can't remember ever being to a softball complex with that. Looking forward to it.

Serg