Props to ASA on the new DVD

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by CajunNewBlue

Im taking a screen shot of the above quote and putting it in my wallet

yep, you dont need to screen shot that one; stick around you'll see it again. I only write it because its true though and I would love to see ASA umpire training program continue to grow. The DVD is a good small step in the right direction.

[CajunNewBlue]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

yep, you dont need to screen shot that one; stick around you'll see it again. I only write it because its true though and I would love to see ASA umpire training program continue to grow. The DVD is a good small step in the right direction.

dang.. i thought he had nothing but disdain for the NCAA and the people who officiate their games ...if i was wrong.. my bad

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CajunNewBlue

dang.. i thought he had nothing but disdain for the NCAA and the people who officiate their games ...if i was wrong.. my bad

Yeah, take wade's opinion of NCAA, ASA, CIF, etc. about as seriously as Harold Stassen and Pat Paulsen's runs for the White House.

[CajunNewBlue]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Yeah, take wade's opinion of NCAA, ASA, CIF, etc. about as seriously as Harold Stassen and Pat Paulsen's runs for the White House.

Who?

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by CajunNewBlue

dang.. i thought he had nothing but disdain for the NCAA and the people who officiate their games ...if i was wrong.. my bad

There are good NCAA umps and there are bad ones. NCAA out here, Pac 10, etc - does a real good job at training their umpires and has really improved that past few years. Because my employment does not permit me to work NCAA, when I work with a good NCAA official I always like to get their input and pick their brains for how NCAA is teaching it. I usually find myself in agreement with the reasoning behind NCAA's methods.

A perfect example is going out in 3 man.. for simplicity, ASA sends you out on a can of corn; they dont trust their umpires to to think so the general rule is "go out on everything" and in fact that is enforced on national evals. NCAA teaches nuance and the thinking umpire on a play like that - they dont go out on everything. Plate stances and other things are all more examples.

Irishmike represents the stubborn "we can't change" old guard and ASA will improve as that old guard fades away and gets replaced with young blood and fresh ideas and a willingness to look to other places for ways to improve. There are many who wont even look at NCAA to see what they are doing. They still believe ASA trained these NCAA umpires, so there is nothing to learn from them. Mention a NCAA method at NUS (I did)... thats good for a laugh or two.

ASA is the foundation of fast pitch umpiring - NCAA built upon it significantly. Many, for their own insecurities, refuse to see how its being done elsewhere and how those ideas might improve our own umpiring.

Their excuse when they admit flaw: well we gotta train ___{insertnumberhere} umpires wah wah, and many are stupid, so we can't teach that.

Now comes the DVD... and they could if they wanted too, go deeper into the systems.

edit ..

oh wait, let me add

wouldnt want to forget that.

[NCASAUmp]

Training is, by far, the biggest problem that every ruling organization faces. Keeping tens of thousands of umpires consistent is obviously a daunting task, further complicated by varying levels of interest on the part of each umpire. Getting everyone in lock-step is an impossible task, but one for which we should still strive.

I've not seen the DVD, but from what I'm hearing, it's a great start.

I just wish it weren't so damn expensive. They can't REALLY cost that much to make, can they, ASA? You're not fooling the techie over here.

If your goal is to get all umpires in lock-step, drop the price. You'll gain much more interest in the product, and the knowledge (and hopefully the consistency!) will spread faster.

[trojans2545]

wade, as part of the young blood movement (20 years old, sixth year ASA) i take offense that you are just willing to pass on the problems of the current guard to us. I have had enough problems convincing my UIC's that I'm the umpire that they hired, let alone trying to figure out how to get everyone in lockstep! Therefore, I will only accept your apology if you teach us how to pass our problems to the next generation behind us!

In all seriousness I cant wait to see the DVD this weekend in Bloomington. It sounds like it will be a helpful tool

Dave, as a umpire and college student, I wish ASA would drop the price on everything!... or at least give a college student discount. I have other things to buy like books!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by trojans2545

a umpire and college student, I wish ASA would drop the price on everything!... or at least give a college student discount. I have other things to buy like books!

And the rest of us have a load of money and fewer bills, right?

Please let me know where that place is.

I love the college kids that have no idea what is going to hit them when they move into the real world.

[trojans2545]

The real world? you mean that place with jobs and house payments and, god fobid, kids that are mine and i have to take care of? its not all partying and craming the last minute for exams?....... is it too late to go back?

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by trojans2545

Dave, as a umpire and college student, I wish ASA would drop the price on everything!... or at least give a college student discount. I have other things to buy like books!

I'm with you on that one! Training materials should not be so darned expensive, but I can understand how some of the uniform items are so pricey. I've got shirts that have lasted 4 or 5 years, shorts that have lasted 3 or 4 years, and the pants have lasted about as long as well. For getting punished as much as my uniforms do, they've held up very well.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

I'm with you on that one! Training materials should not be so darned expensive, but I can understand how some of the uniform items are so pricey. I've got shirts that have lasted 4 or 5 years, shorts that have lasted 3 or 4 years, and the pants have lasted about as long as well. For getting punished as much as my uniforms do, they've held up very well.

People need to remember it is a business.

The production cost of the DVD was in the neighborhood of $38K. What the material, packaging, branding and any other ancillaries were, I have no idea.

After the response to this DVD, will subsequent DVDs be less expensive? I certainly hope so.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by trojans2545

wade, as part of the young blood movement (20 years old, sixth year ASA) i take offense that you are just willing to pass on the problems of the current guard to us. I have had enough problems convincing my UIC's that I'm the umpire that they hired, let alone trying to figure out how to get everyone in lockstep! Therefore, I will only accept your apology if you teach us how to pass our problems to the next generation behind us!

In all seriousness I cant wait to see the DVD this weekend in Bloomington. It sounds like it will be a helpful tool

Dave, as a umpire and college student, I wish ASA would drop the price on everything!... or at least give a college student discount. I have other things to buy like books!

I would say, dont worry about buying it at this point. If you can get to watch it a few times, I think you could get a visual of things you've heard described and that would be enough for now. Besides it will likely be on U tube soon anyway...

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

I would say, dont worry about buying it at this point. If you can get to watch it a few times, I think you could get a visual of things you've heard described and that would be enough for now. Besides it will likely be on U tube soon anyway...

Actually, I'm somewhat surprised it hasn't ended up on torrents just yet.

[IRISHMAFIA]

I'm not exactly sure whats gotten into you to where you follow me thread to thread and forum to forum attacking my posts, even attacking me on fan forums; but you really need get grip. You are losing it. I'm sure you've had a lot of people in your life you have been able to bully and intimidate, but you are barking up the wrong tree.

I'll make this real simple for you. I read discussion boards. If I disagree with something stated regardless of location or individual, I will post my opinion. That is why they are called discussion boards. If you have a problem with that, that is just what it is, YOUR problem.

I have never, nor ever intend to bully anyone on any plane. Maybe you think such a thing is necessary, I don't. Bullying is for the weak.

If I attacked you, you would know it. If it ever came to that point, there would be boundaries.

IMO, you routinely misrepresent yourself and the statements of others. I don't know if it is intentional, but if you have an issue with folks disagreeing with or offering what they consider corrective comments, you are living in the wrong country.

From what I have been told, you are an upcoming umpire in your area. I hope that the attitude and contempt for others demonstrated on-line is not reflective of your performance on the field.

There are a lot of people who read this board and while we may occasionally get silly, there is a great number that appreciate the serious conversations and opinions. I believe we owe it to them to be forthright with the information provided and keep dissenting opinions on a professional basis and that does not include debasing comments.

Okay, I'm done with this thread, knock yourself out as I'm sure you will want the last word.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

There are a lot of people who read this board and while we may occasionally get silly, there is a great number that appreciate the serious conversations and opinions.

Occasionally?

Mike, that's my M.O.!