Softball Baseball

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I have not been overly impressed in the manner some of these "professionals" act the last couple of decades. I've never really understood why an umpire would argue with a coach or player or make a production out of an ejection. Other than succeeding in looking childish on TV, what does it accomplish?

It's called entertainment. MLB is entertainment first, all things second. ProoF? Steriods, modern ballparks and haf inning times - commercial lenghts.

And for a position which is supposed to be the authority officiating the game instead of a participant, why are there so many different uniforms? Why the need for a fashion statement?

Why not? teams do, fans do, dogs and cats do.

And numbers? Why are numbers even used for any sports official? The players and coaches know who the umpires are? The spectators certainly have no need to know who the official is. If they do, why not just put their name on the back of their shirt/jacket?

Jeez, you're full of issues, Mr. Issues. Nubers are easily read from distances.

Okay, now that I have that out of my system, I agree that it is prestigious to be an umpire in the major leagues. Are they the best? Let's say they are the best that survived. It takes a lot of perseverance to get the opportunity to work at that level. There are many other umpires who just cannot make the commitment of the long hours, lots of travel and less than prestigious money. It doesn't mean they are not better umpires, just that their priorities are not the same.

So is all of life

To be honest, I'm not sure many know the rules that well. Then again, I'm always thought the MLB rules are presented in a pretty convoluted manner.

They do, they are, and they have as many issues as you do. Maybe.

[IRISHMAFIA]

I started this post many times then went back to remove all the sarcastic comments about this post. After about 20 minutes, this is what I ended up with:







Thanks,

Mike

[DaveASA/FED]

First my perspective, I only umpire NFHS softball and ASA JO girls FP. I think there are elite umpires in both sports softball and baseball. I also feel like to each their own. BUT I also feel like there softball umpires are looked down upon by baseball umpires. I think it has to do with the male ego thing of a mans sport is more important that a girls sport (remember my softball is only girls FP). I think the guys see themselves living vicarously through their sons so the mans sport is ranked higher. Personally I beleive that is total BS, but there is that sort of feeling in my area.

On the topic of FED vs ASA (all I can speak to) I think they both have the ability to have off the street umpires. In my state all you have to do in FED is take an open book test and you are registered to umpire. For ASA all you have to do is send in money and you are an ASA umpire. So both are easy to get, there are no requirements to do any mentoring any clinics nothing...just get ahold of people who schedule and you are ok to work....

Now if you want to move on, state tournament series in FED, you have to go to a certification clinic (every two years) and take part !! of the NFHS test (every year) and be ranked high enough by ADs (basically coaches) and have a strong enough schedule. All of those go into a formula and you get a rating, the highest 100+ get sectional games, then from those some get regional then a smaller amount get state assignments.

ASA, to do state tourneys (Run by state ASA) you have to attend a clinic every three years, rules meeting every other year, complete the ASA test, and be judged as acceptable by the state UIC staff. To go to Nationals, both regionals and championships you have to have worked several years at the state level and been given high evaluations and reviews by the UIC's at these state tourneys. Then the state UIC and Commisioner have to approve your appointment to a National.

To me the ASA has the best program in our area. It has umpires evaluating umpires. There is a LOT more chance for feedback, ability to get constructive advice. FED is kind of a free for all work with a partner tonight and who knows who will show up tomorrow night.....and there are a lot of people who do it just for the money and care not to improve their skills! Nowhere is there a UIC kind of setup in FED until you get into the Regional or State level.

[BretMan]

Just ran across something interesting that kind of fits in with this thread...

My two areas of certification/registration are NFHS baseball and ASA softball. My region is one of those where the NFHS baseball and softball umpires are in totally different groups, with different associations, meetings, assingors, etc.

I thought that I would look into becoming certified for NFHS softball, so I searched for and found the web site run by their local umpire group. On the first page, there was a plea for more umpires! It said that they have a severe shortage and were begging their members to accept more games to their schedules.

Cool. Sounds like a favorable "supply/demand" situation and a good chance to get my foot in the door!

So I contact their association president for more info. Come to find out that their mandatory meetings are held on exactly the same the same nights, at the exact same hour, as the mandatory NFHS baseball meetings are held.

This makes it impossible for an umpire to meet the classroon requirements and get certified for both sports in this area. My only option in doing NFHS softball would be to attend the meetings for a different association- one is about an hour south of me, the other about an hour north- and then I would only be assigned games in those far-off districts.

Guess I won't be doing any high school softball anytime soon...

[wadeintothem]

I come from a much smaller softball community.. I take it you dont know these people?

In my area.. the ASA /NFHS people.. are the same essentially, especially at the top.

My point is.. have you called them and confirmed there is a no way to make the transition, considering your long time ASA back ground etc?

Obviously, regionals are probably out for your first year.. but if they need umpires.. a little smarts wouldnt be bad.

In our area, ASA clinics count towards your NFHS (assoc?) mandatory 16 hours of training.. so 16 hours is nothing really to me.. I did go to two of the NFHS clinics/meeting though.

maybe if you attended one NFHS SB meeting.

[BretMan]

Wade,

I'm trying to see if they will let me take the NFHS exam without taking the classes, or something like that. No final word yet.

You must have NFHS certification to do high school ball in Ohio. While I'm finding out that some of the guys running this association are also ASA umpires, and both groups seem to have the same guy working as their assignor, ASA and NFHS are totally separate groups with, again, separate associations and meetings.

At least the ASA meetings do not conflict with NFHS baseball. But there's still some conflict. We have an ASA National Umpire School coming up March 1st- the same day as my associations baseball field and mechanics clinic.

Blowing off the baseball clinic might dock me some points with the local powers-that-be, but they have that darn thing every year and the ASA NUS only rolls through here every five years or so.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Just ran across something interesting that kind of fits in with this thread...

My two areas of certification/registration are NFHS baseball and ASA softball. I thought that I would look into becoming certified for NFHS softball, so I searched for and found the web site run by their local umpire group. On the first page, there was a plea for more umpires! It said that they have a severe shortage and were begging their members to accept more games to their schedules.

So I contact their association president for more info. Come to find out that their mandatory meetings are held on exactly the same the same nights, at the exact same hour, as the mandatory NFHS baseball meetings are held.

This makes it impossible for an umpire to meet the classroon requirements and get certified for both sports in this area

Common BS tactic of baseball umps, then, of course, they can proclaim how softball guys never Xover because they are weenies. Back in GA, we made it a rule that yiou had to be eilgible for either and assigned to either. Pay rates were the same.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Just ran across something interesting that kind of fits in with this thread...

My two areas of certification/registration are NFHS baseball and ASA softball. My region is one of those where the NFHS baseball and softball umpires are in totally different groups, with different associations, meetings, assingors, etc.

I thought that I would look into becoming certified for NFHS softball, so I searched for and found the web site run by their local umpire group. On the first page, there was a plea for more umpires! It said that they have a severe shortage and were begging their members to accept more games to their schedules.

Cool. Sounds like a favorable "supply/demand" situation and a good chance to get my foot in the door!

So I contact their association president for more info. Come to find out that their mandatory meetings are held on exactly the same the same nights, at the exact same hour, as the mandatory NFHS baseball meetings are held.

This makes it impossible for an umpire to meet the classroon requirements and get certified for both sports in this area. My only option in doing NFHS softball would be to attend the meetings for a different association- one is about an hour south of me, the other about an hour north- and then I would only be assigned games in those far-off districts.

Guess I won't be doing any high school softball anytime soon...

I have a better solution! Just become a full time softball umpire. No muss, no fuss.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by DaveASA/FED

First my perspective, I only umpire NFHS softball and ASA JO girls FP. I think there are elite umpires in both sports softball and baseball. I also feel like to each their own. BUT I also feel like there softball umpires are looked down upon by baseball umpires. I think it has to do with the male ego thing of a mans sport is more important that a girls sport (remember my softball is only girls FP). I think the guys see themselves living vicarously through their sons so the mans sport is ranked higher. Personally I beleive that is total BS, but there is that sort of feeling in my area.

Go over to the Baseball forum, the testosterone of the Old Gurd who professes complete disdain for softball umps is ever present. You're right on all counts, btw, it's a Boy's Club thing and it is total BS.