Any of you Texas folk going to the state meeting in San Antonio?? I will be there, despite the ever rising cost of attending.

Is that what it cost you to get there, or what they charge for a clinic?

I plan on going instead, to the local TASO regional clinic in Longview on Jan 28. My wife is having surgery during the Texas state meeting. Will also be going to the Arkansas (AOA) state meeting on Jan 22.

The clinic cost is not that much. It is the 350 mile trip to get there, and the $100 per night hotel for 3 nights plus 3 meals per day that add up. Even when traveling with someone and sharing costs, it gets very expensive.

Just make them have it in Lockhart at one of the BBQ joints. THEN it will be worth it. The original Kreutz Bros. (I know they changed the name) is my fave...ummmm...mouth watering...

I charge absolutely nothing for state clinics, no one has to drive more than 20 minutes for 2.5 hours and I cannot get umpires to show up!

Irishmafia,

For your information, concerning girl’s fast pitch; to umpire post-season games in Arkansas an umpire must have a Division 1 or 2 rating, which requires attending the State meeting at lease every other year. The meeting is in Hot Springs and is about 5 hours in length.

To umpire post-season games in Texas an umpire must have attended either the State meeting or a regional clinic each year. The State meeting rotates to a different city each year and is about 2 days in length. The regional clinics are about 5 hours in length. Each State meeting is about $25-$30.

Maybe with requirements like these in order to do post-season games, you may obtain a better attendance.

I have the same requirements in place. You must attend a state or regional clinic to work ASA Championship Play of any type.

Mike, around here, for no charge and a less than one hour drive to attend a good clinic, I would attend in a heartbeat. I don't know why you have problems getting folks to attend.

As Larry(DNTXUM P) pointed out, it is the distance travelled and the costs associated with this meeting that is making it tougher and tougher to attend each year. Last year, room rates for attendees was $65 before taxes, this year it has gone up to $89 before taxes. The rising cost of gasoline is another factor, of course. My bill for this weekend will run between $300 and $400, and that is before I spend anything with the vendors.

Apathy. The lack of available nationals to umpires in this area.

I've got a great commissioner that will get me a host exchange in a heartbeat if possible. Since I've been the UIC, I have not had any less than 5 umpires go to a NC/NT in any one year.

However, even when I get them, I still have a hard time filling the bill because people just don't work at it. Some don't want to "waste" the money going to a National School. Others believe that going to a NC/NT is a reward for longevity or just helping out. Forget following the prescribed mechanics, making the right calls, hustling during all games, etc.

This year I've been offered an unlimited number of slots in a men's SP national because the host is aware of the reputation of umpires from this area and has told me that he knows he will get quality.

That's fine and dandy, but I don't have, but a handful of umpires who I can have the confidence to do the job. Our area has a good rep, why would I send an umpire who may be questionable JUST to send them to a national?

Sorry for the rant.

I'm thinking I better not comment on this.