I found this on our state Fed site:

The MHSAA is encouraging our Officials to take an online course that is available through the National Federation. The MHSAA will add extra credit on the officials ranking and refund their state dues for successfully completing the course.

It is given through http://www.asep.com. Has anyone taken these courses before? They are asking 75 bucks a pop for the courses it looks like and I was wondering if they are good courses.

I've previewed these out of curiosity for newer umpires in our HS association, and I think it may be of value to newer umpires. Seems to me, from your link, that there are two courses: officiation and softball methods. Both would be of value to newer officials, and could be good review for veterans.

I'm contacting my HS assignor to see if he'll flip the bill for it (for me), to see if it would be of use for our newer officials.

(And as an educator, 75 bucks isn't out of line for an online course. I just took one for graduate school--probably a little more substantial, but you get the jist--and it cost me 600 bucks).

Oh I know, That wasn't a complain as much as part of the question of worth -vs- content. My IT certs costs on average $125 just to take the test and that does not include the training so I know very well the costs of online courses. I was just wondering if you get your moneys worth out of the course.

Yeah, that's about normal for a class like this. I'm going to sign up for one of them myself out of curiosity. I'll let you know how it works.

(Another cost thing...I'm getting a certain education license and we have to take a test to get it. The darn thing costs 435 bucks to take it! And you have to pay extra for the study materials!) And the test is all ON LINE!

Come on FU....A man of your means should have no problem with those fee's :)

BTW:What was up with the email Steve C sent looking for more umpires next weekend? I thought you said we a good solid crew working it.

After talking to you, had three guys drop out (various excuses). Have quality replacing them. Right now stand at 15 umps (me included, so take that as you will).

See you next weekend then......

Sorry for highjacking the thread.....