State and/or National Tournaments

[NCASAUmp]

Before I go on, I'll keep the air clear before I say what I'm about to say. I only call ASA SP. Period. No U-trip, no NSA, nothing. Just ASA. I enjoy calling ASA, and I have no intentions of calling anything else in the near future. I'm 100% loyal to my assignor. He's good to me, and I try to return the favor by showing up to my assignments early, ready to go. I honor all of my commitments to him without canceling. Well, there was that one time I was in the ER for a day, but I think after calling for him for over 8 years, he'll let that one and only time slide.

But let's get one thing straight. I never signed any contract or commitment with ASA to only do ASA games and to make ASA my #1 priority. Nothing stated, implied, or even remotely hinted at. If an umpire were to sign such a commitment to ASA or any other org, I would suggest they get their head checked. Just because I've become an ASA umpire does not mean I signed a contract with them. The only contract I've signed is with my local association, and it mentions nothing of my abilities to call other organizations.

My loyalty is my choice. A good one, I believe, but mine nonetheless.

[first2third]

I enjoy umpiring FP softball. I umpire American Legion, High School baseball and non conference college baseball. In the past I have officiated high school basketball and wrestling. All this being said Softball rules. Games are shorter, there are more tournaments, the game moves quicker but as an official you have the ability to be in the right place and make the right call 98% of the time.

I call NASP, ASA, Tripple Crown, High School, SWAC, and D-1 Softball. The D-1 pays the best and is the most enjoyable as you always work three man. ASA is the best organization to start out in, as they train you well. Tripple Crown is the highest paying tournament group. If you work hard, listen, have good judgment and mechanics, you get noticed an move up the ranks quickly.

In my experience for my area, Softball is the least political and have the best people to work with. Some organizations get bent if you work for others but just do what you accept and don't back out of commitments and most people will understand. Most important have fun.

[Welpe]

As an umpire that's called only local tournaments and rec league, this has been an informative thread. Thank you folks.

[NDblue]

I still haven't read anywhere in the OP that the tourney and local games are competing softball organizations. Did I miss something or are you guys arguing for no reason?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NDblue

I still haven't read anywhere in the OP that the tourney and local games are competing softball organizations. Did I miss something or are you guys arguing for no reason?

You are correct, but then again no one said they were not.

If they were within the same organization, there is a protocol in place that avoids any issues.

Championship Play always comes first. Also, you don't poach umpires which are in someone else's area. A perfect example was just afforded me this week.

There was a request from outside my state to invite a member of my staff to work a tournament elsewhere. The individual dropped me an e-mail to see if that umpire could come out and play (my words, not his). I checked our schedule and gave the option to the umpire.

The courtesy is to insure that using an umpire from outside your own local doesn't cause a problem for the UIC of the requested umpire. As much as I want the umpires in my area to advance and be seen, I'm not going to shortchange the local tournaments and place the onus on the other local umpires to do so.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by NDblue

I still haven't read anywhere in the OP that the tourney and local games are competing softball organizations. Did I miss something or are you guys arguing for no reason?

Us? Argue? For no reason?

Never happens on this board.

Nah, quite often, someone brings up one thing on here, and we go off on tangents. We're very ADD here.

And that's ADD. Not ADA (though I'm sure some may qualify).

[Tru_in_Blu]

My original post again... My UIC received a request from another UIC seeking help for this particular tournament. It was all ASA. And I had a commitment to another league who was also another ASA group. [Up until this year, I only worked ASA. Just now branching out into NFHS.]

So I think the protocol was properly established and followed. I think if I wanted to, I could have gone to the tournament with the blessing of the guy I was scheduled with. I didn't pursue it because of distance, cost, and only having the opportunity to do 2 games.

Maybe this year, new opportunities will come up in a more planful manner and I might consider going.

Ted

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

My original post again... My UIC received a request from another UIC seeking help for this particular tournament. It was all ASA. And I had a commitment to another league who was also another ASA group. [Up until this year, I only worked ASA. Just now branching out into NFHS.]

So I think the protocol was properly established and followed. I think if I wanted to, I could have gone to the tournament with the blessing of the guy I was scheduled with. I didn't pursue it because of distance, cost, and only having the opportunity to do 2 games.

Maybe this year, new opportunities will come up in a more planful manner and I might consider going.

Ted

Just remember: the RIGHT 2 games, despite distance and cost, may be the two games that zing you on your way. Not saying that was the case here, but be sure you don't pass up THAT opportunity...