Big political doin's - AFA
 

AFA was just picking up steam here in MN, when this happens:

Massive Director Exodus

The directors that left include Jack Spahr (Kansas, Colorado), Harry Hosey (Oklahoma), Larry Parker (Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota), Ed Serdar (Illinois, Indiana), Tommy Voss (Texas, Louisiana) ,and Ed Kimminau (Kansas, Colorado with Jack Spahr).

They have all apparently joined, as a group, the NAFA, which until now has been exclusively a men's fastpitch organization. A Girls and Women's division has been apparently formed.

Do any of you who are old hands with the AFA national organization know what went on to cause such a split?

As a rules junky, I (of course) had to check out this NAFA, and I found a new record for the smallest rule book. Check this out: NAFA Playing Rules.

They (NAFA) have apparently taken down the girls' and women's page. Odd. It looked mostly complete - even had locations of nationals, leadership, UIC, etc., etc. listed. Maybe it was premature... Stay tuned, I guess.

Doing a AFA qualifier this weekend in TX.... tongues should be waggin' pretty hard in the umpire's changing room. (if they have one! lol).

Although personally, I gotta wonder what would cause this kind of "exodus" but, my gut tells me its probably $$.

You must be headed for Orange.....

It is dollars and a letter game. It started right here in Beaumont. When the
18U's were not rescheduled to be here, then they shifted to Sulphur, La..

It is even rumored that there will be an 18U Gold in OK. City. You have an
18U and 12U in Sulphur, an 18U, 16, and 10 somewhere in Texas. Supposedly
Beaumont.

As to all this NAFA girls' fastpitch business, three words to all of my umpiring friends:

accept cash only.

If you have questions, feel free to PM me or send an e-mail to [email protected].

bkbjones,

I have done AFA for twelve [12] years and never not gotten paid. I have
done 12 AFA 18U Nationals and one 16U national. No problem with getting
my money, ever.

Guess it depends on where and whom you work for.

Glen,

I took his comment to be referencing NAFA, but I could be wrong.

Besides, unless your payment is coming from national HQ, it is all local. At least around here it is, no matter whether it is ASA or AFA.

That's how I took it, too. Before this board, I had never heard of AFA - so I've got no knowledge there.
NAFA has always been a men's-only softball organization. I've never worked one of their tournaments, but I have heard of them. They almost merged with ISC several years ago, but that did not come off.

fyi... the girls' and women's page I linked to in the OP is up again.

Yep... Orange it was. nice little tourney. thought I was doing AFA and I did.... but actually it will end up being a NAFA tourney (points wise).
As long as they pay at the plate I don't care what letters/initials I officiate under.
I don't really understand all the "inner" workings on the tournament director side... I would assume someone is getting paid to do that job. but, all I can say is they have treated me very well every time i've worked in beaumont, orange, sulphur and westlake.

What is AFA?

http://www.afasoftball.com/




or, from http://www.acronymfinder.com/

Air Force Academy
American Family Association
Air Force Association
Association of Flight Attendants
American Federation of Astrologers
American Finance Association
Afghan Afghani (former currency code; now AFN)
Anti-Fascist Action
American Forestry Association
Across Five Aprils (novel and band)
Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae (blue-green algae)
American Fence Association
Alzheimer's Foundation of America

and thats just page 1 :-)

Or, to some, "As Far As"

Especially if followed by "IK" :)

It is also American Fastpitch Association. :)