Does ASA require "continuing ed?"
 

Curious if ASA requires umpires to complete a particular amount of "continuing education" in order to keep their credentials current? My profession has a professional code and we are required to complete a 7-hour update every 2 years in order to keep up with all the changes in the code to keep our state licensing current, and I know a lot of other professions have similar requirements--CPA's due to changes in the tax code, etc.

The reason I ask is due to hearing an ump explain to a coach that a batter was not out on a caught foul tip because "it didn't go higher than her head--that's ASA rules." He did a fine job otherwise and was good at explaining/selling some of the closer calls, but this one caught my attention.

An annual clinic with emphasis on changes, usually a few hours.

If it was a foul tip, it's only a strike.

That wasn't the ASA rule even BEFORE they took the phrase out of the book. I don't think a lack of continuing ed is the problem here.

Not sure you really want the answer; it appears to be a rhetorical question. The answer is, no, ASA, the national organization, has no such requirements. The local associations may generate any requirements they deem appropriate.

Am I wrong in my understanding that in order to call state, regional or national ASA tourneys, umpires MUST go to an ASA clinic?

Clinics, National Umpire Schools and advanced camps are never a bad idea. If you want to truly be effective, you must recognize that you must grow as an umpire. I'm in my 16th year (the first half of which were easily "rookie years"), and I'm still learning, still undoing bad habits and techniques.

However, the fact that you're here on this forum is a good step. I've been on this forum for almost exactly a year, and I wish this forum had existed when I first put on the uniform! It would've saved me a lot of grief. ;)

Thanks, I figured if there was certification by a sanctioning body there would be some sort of requirement for keeping up with rule changes. Of course in every profession there is a wide range of abilities, so just requiring an annual clinic is no panacea.

Fortunately, his not being up to date on the definition of Foul Tip did not make any difference or result in a bad call; the ball went both "sharply and directly from the bat to the catcher's mitt" AND did not go "higher than the batter's head" so it was a Foul Tip under both the old and new definitions.

AtlUmpSteve, I actually did want an answer; sorry if I said something that made it appear otherwise. If an annual clinic is required to keep up with rule changes, it seems he was a couple of years behind. If an update clinic were required, say, only every 5 years, the rule could have changed between his updates.

ASA requires nothing. Several umpires just pay their fee and they are in. Our metro requires a lot of training for National Assignments, our NFHS requires a lot of training for regionals.. but if you just want to umpire.. pay your money and umpire.

Guess in the Neth.'s we have a little more to do:
First succeed in a course before one even may umpire. Then every year attend to the national clinic and do a test (50 questions, 45 T/F and 5 "open").
Since I graduated at the European clinic last year, I'm also commited to do the same kind a test for the ESF. On top of that one losses his licence after a 3 year period without working any ESF-tournament.

Well, I've been told that here in NC, it's required that umpires who wish to call a State, Regional or National tourney must go to an ASA state clinic.

Do these state clinics cover everything? Do they make you a proper umpire? Do they teach you everything you need to know? Not at all.

Do they help? Do they keep umpires reasonably informed? I believe so.

I think the requirement around here begins the process of separating the wheat from the chaff. I have a suspicion that those who went to the ASA state clinics and the ASA NUS will have a greater frequency of being called up to do ASA tourneys.

Not sure how it's done in other locales, but that's just how we do it here.

Our local district requires we take the yearly exam(open book) in order to work league play. We correct/discuss the any incorrect answer to help us understand the rule better. In order to do state tournaments we must attend either one state clinic or 2 of the 3 district meetings/clinics, along with taking the exam. I have found this to be very helpful in gaining/reviewing knowledge of the the rules. Our state clinic is outstanding in teaching several areas of the game.

Glad This Came Up
 

over the weekend I was working an NAFA tournament. Due to a lot of rain
on Fri. night, an ASA tournament had to be moved to the same complex we
were utilizing. We had two fields, they had two fields. I was able to watch
some of the ASA tournament on my off game.

First game I watched, I could not believe what I was seeing.

PU - hat on backwards
PU - when giving the count, used right hand for ball indiciation and left hand
for strikes.
PU - when talking with a coach making substitutions, left mask on. Rarely
took mask off between innings.

BU - hands folded, stationed inside with no runners, and seemed more
interestered with someone in the bleachers.
BU - while in C, never once looked at runners, and believe me offensive coach
was taking advantage. [runners were leaving early]

Neither umpire noticed that the pitcher was in front of the pitchers plate
when delivering the ball.

During a conversation after one of their games, which had nothing to do with
their game, I found that today my partner in my HS game between two teams
that are tied for 1st, is none other than the PU.:(

Looks like you'll have an opportunity to be a "friend" and help a fellow umpire improve. I just hope he is open to your input.

Glen, that is certainly deplorable. But, it is hardly unique to ASA (or any other organization) that fields added last minute when you are scurrying to find umpires after rain changes often get whomever and whatever is left and still available.

I would be more concerned about the high school assignor, and wondering what HE was thinking.

On the other hand, I feel your pain.

The typical shortage of umpires across the nation, and likely the world, means we have to look at things like the old Eastwood movie: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. There is a place for the Ugly. There is a place for the Bad. There is a place for the good.

I would hope that other associations would feel free to at least copycat what we do if not more. (This ain't to say Seattle is perfect, but we try our best.) We have "clinics" of some sort at every meeting. Our last one was simply breaking into small groups and discussing 4-5 questions gleaned from the test. There was good give-and-take and discussion. We've used powerpoints, live demos, a little bit of everything. I'm sure most associations do something similar. Unfortunately, too many folks don't glean from what they have heard nuggets they need to make themselves better.

Our association is very similar, in all respects. However, it seems as though out of 100 or so umpires, only about 20 really seem to adhere to all that is taught, another 20 listen and learn the rule changes, and the rest just see the meetings as a necessary evil to get them out there "making money."

Of course, this is all assuming that you can get umpires to come to the meetings in the first place.......

The Good. Partner showed, late, but showed.

The Bad. Had on his ASA cap, [This NHFS game]. Had same shoes in same
condition he left the tournament on Sunday in.
Called time everytime he was crossing the field to change positions.
In "B", he was right behind 2nd. Guess on pickoff attempts. Luckily there
was only one. Guessed right.
In "C", right behind 3rd regardless of where runner was.

The Ugly. Ball hit down 3rd base line, 3rd baseperson strattling the line
reaches over into foul ground touches the ball while over foul ground. Partner
in his "C" slot position behind 3rd, not only points fair, but "hollars", yes "hollars"
fair, while I am hollaring "foul", "foul".
Easy one to fix, except the offensive coach is very experienced and somewhat
of a jokester. With time out he ask my partner why it was a fair ball?
Partner said because the 3rd baseman was standing partially in fair ground
when she made contact with the ball. Then tells the coach, let my partner
explain it to you, cause he been doing this 50 years. Coach tells partner,
well, your partner called it foul. "He did"! Partner then asked me why I
called it foul.:rolleyes:

Dear sweet Jesus..apparently your partner works in the Phoenix area also...:eek:

Yah, was in Seattle over the weekend too.

We get huge turnouts. The key: free asparagus and pickled pigs feet.

I had him in Alabama last week!

For our local leagues, we have 3 local clinics and the state clinic nearby. We require that the umpires attend at least 2 of those 4 clinics to get full pay, as well as pass the ASA exam. If an umpire fails to meet those two requirements, they don't get full pay by our org. It's to our benefit to attend the clinics and study that book!

And in the Dallas area as well! :rolleyes:

Is that what they get if they don't attend??? :p

Nah, they just get assigned to Men's Modified games. :eek:

Care to expound on this, Darrell????

Is this based on some of your recent HS games?:D

You wouldn't believe some of the reports I have been getting....on second thought...yeah, you probably would....

Apparently, he only works in big States. If he has been to MD or DE, he has been hidden from me. :cool: Wait, he might have been at a tourney I worked years ago, 1995 I think. :eek:

You can have him back, if you want.

One year for our big social night, we had one of our finest blues actually stuff asparagus into his jacket pocket for later snacking. To this day, all I have to say is, "Let's have a veggie tray with LOTS of asparagus" and she gives me a "if looks could kill" look.

FORTUNATELY..... I have had few ASA ejection reports...but lots of calls from coaches..

I REALLY wouldnt want your job..high school umpires are a weird breed.

Especially this one guy. I think maybe he put the Mirage in El Mirage -- or the Surprise in Surprise.

Here in NY our State Association reqires us to take and pass a 100 question test base on true or false,multiple choice and fill in the blank questions every year before getting behind the dish. As a side note most of the umpires that post here are some of the best in the game bar none.

I don't know about pigs feet, but I'll take a serving of asparagus.

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

If you had to think about it, you didn't. :D

However, if brussel sprouts were involved, I'm sure you would have. :eek:

Just a whiff of those would have done it for me!