Does ASA require "continuing ed?"

[IamMatt]

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.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IamMatt

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.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IamMatt

...a batter was not out on a caught foul tip because "it didn't go higher than her head--that's ASA rules." ...

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.

[AtlUmpSteve]

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.

[NCASAUmp]

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.

[IamMatt]

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.

[wadeintothem]

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.

[Dutch Alex]

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.

[NCASAUmp]

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.

[Mid-Mich. Blue]

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.

[whiskers_ump]

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.

[Mid-Mich. Blue]

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.

[AtlUmpSteve]

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.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by whiskers_ump

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.

On the other hand, I feel your pain.

[bkbjones]

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.