Senior Men's SP in Burlington, NC. First Nationals ever for me.

Congrats to all who got assignments, and to those still waiting, keep at it. Your turn will come soon. :)

Doing the ASA/USA 18U in Moline, IL. Should be a lot of fun with quality teams. Looking forward to a great tournament. This will be my 6th National.

Just be careful of the grass lip around the HP area in the stadium. One or two umpires have been known to trip over it. :D

Had to turn down the offer!:(

I'm still waiting for my first assignment to a national tournament. :( There's one local umpire that actually threatens to quit umpiring if he doesn't get a national tournament invitation in the next year or so. A little selfish if you ask me. I'll just keep hustling and doing the best job I can and wait my turn. I know I'm a capable umpire since I'm assigned duties at every level of local ball but for the last 2 years, I'm doing more and more upper level B, C and D games. Maybe I'm being groomed?:D

There was a story of which this remindes me. Umpire with a similar complaint was asked him when he attended a National School. The answer was, "huh? What's that got to do with anything". Then he was asked how often he worked state tournaments and supported the ASA program. The answer was "I'm too busy on the weekends to do that". Then there was the regionals to which he was sent and failed to make the pretournament clinics. Yet, this umpire still couldn't understand why he was not sent away to a national tournament.

2004 was when I attended a national umpire school. I've worked our state tournaments since my first year umpiring and have done so ever since. I work local tournaments as much as I can and even if I'm not umpiring, I'm helping out in one way or another.

If my last post seemed like I was complaining, I apologize.

Tom,

I was not referring to you, but your fellow local umpire. A lot of times, and I'm not saying this is your case, it is not a UIC's fault since Commissioners could control this. I doubt this is the case in ND, but you just never know what is going on in the background. Quite often, it might only be a matter of the umpire making his/her desires known.

Years ago in my area, the UIC told each umpire who was interested in advancing to submit a resume. Unfortunately, our ranks have become so small, I see just about all the umpires interested in working championship play. But still, there is no consideration if they do not attend a NUS and support championship play. Those who I believe are good enough to take the next step are encouraged to attend the next available.

Unfortunately, I can only point them in the right direction.

There is one UIC I know of who will, according to some reports, "ding" the evals of umpires who are not on his normal crew. This way, he can push his own crew up to the big games and hold the other umpires down. I know of one umpire who got rated all 3s. All 3s, including hustle.

Rachel, congratulations. You deserve it.

Hang touch gal. It was a pleasure getting to meet and work a Nationals
with you.

ASA/USA 12U in Montgomery, AL. I guess I better start working on knee flexibility and do some extra squats. :cool:

Jeezus! I'd be working on a GD or Scissors at your height! Maybe even take a knee!

Gratz! :)

I'd take a knee if I could get back up! :D

I will see you there! This will be my 2nd National Championship, with 2 Northern Nationals added in there.

Looks like I may get to go the U14A in Clovis, CA.

Bugg