Hey, ASA has finally put up the ASA/USA Elite Umpires on the website,
Our own Mike Rowe is there.
I have had the priveledge of meeting Mike, and other than that funny accent he has, he really is a nice guy.

ooops!
 

The weebsite address is:
http://www.softball.org/umpires/elite.asp

My funny accent? Hell, you're the one with that slight southern draw from the strawberry patch.

:)

Mike who?

Shucks, if ya'll ain't from Texas, you all got accents!

Attaboy, Mike!

Me? an accent? not liikely
 

What accent????????
How can I have an accent after spending nearly 10 years in Louisiana and Texas, coming back to Florida (which is full of them dang yankees from Michigan and New York) and dating a Cuban woman?????
What do you think would influence me to have an accent????

You really need to explain yourself here Mike!!!
hehehe

Won't get into the accents thing, but I do feel pretty good
after reviewing the list of <u>Elites</u> umpires. I have
been forunate enough to have worked with or for 10 of them.
R,. Smith, J. Kearney, R. Corcker, M. Melancon, L. Alvarez,
T. Hix, K. Joseph, R. Garza and one of my very favorite
people Phil DeLa Rosa. Phil taught me a lot in the three AFA
18U Nationals I called with him.

Congratulations to all on that list.

I've worked with David Staples--
he's a very competent official.

For some reason, were growing them like weeds out here in the desert.... Len Friedlund, Wally Lattall, Emily Alexander, Marty Maker, Jeff Kersch...we have about a dozen here...several of them dual categories..life is good..the elites a great resource

[Edited by azbigdawg on Apr 6th, 2004 at 09:12 AM]

You don't know what that reason is? I bet most of us in the Northeast can tell you that reason.

other than phoenix being a year-round softball paradise and a lot of dedicated people..whats the reason? either way it makes for happy UIC's

C'mon, Darrell, you know the reason....

Her name is Emily.

Not Really...She is only partially responsible.....Lenny Friedlund gave her BIG help gettting where she is today, and he is responsible for almost all the Slow pitch Elite out here...so its denfinitely divided credit

The reason is that there are more Nationals available and within reach of the umpires in AZ. Therefore, much easier for them to meet the qualifications than those in states which are not "in" the range of numerous tournaments, nor have commissioners who are willing to go and get them a host exchange slot.