ASA National Assignments
 

Okay, who's gotten their phone calls already, and where ya headed?

Got my call last week. USA/ASA 18A in Vegas. :D

Congrats, SRW!

congrats on where you are going Dave (NCASA)!

I never said where I was going... :)

But now that you mention it... I'm heading to Salem, VA for the Men's D/E Slow Pitch National.

One I've been hoping for; probably my last big opportunity. Women's Major Fastpitch, Auburn, AL.

Nice. Congrats.

18A Western National in CO

Looking forward to meeting/working with you.

Well gosh steve.. guess you'll have to settle for what? only 20 majors? :D

I have had a better than fair number of ASA Nationals. It is a combination of living in a hotbed of ASA softball where a lot of ASA Nationals are hosted, being qualified to call at that level, and having always made my availability a priority (have been assigned as late as at the umpire picture prior to opening ceremonies, because I was there, qualified, had uniforms and equipment, and had voluntarily sat thru the umpire clinic to help the umpire coordinator). Last minute, I have jumped in my car and driven 5 hours that day!! So yes, a lot, but because I can and will.

At the same time, I have been passed over for other opportunities that I believed I have earned and been promised. Can't tell you how many times I have been told that I have already been there, so let someone else have it. The number of tournaments where less qualified umpires have worked on Sunday, because "you have been there". I have made a career of helping train, evaluate, and promote others (anyone from Georgia can honestly tell you that); so I just don't and won't apologize for also wanting to call the very best.

Any player that doesn't want to play when the team makes the championship isn't worth having on the team. My competitive spirit still drives me. At my age (56), this is likely my last, I don't feel even a moment's regret that I got this pick.

CelticNHBlue (Wade Ireland, not the Wade from DJV), I look forward to it. Have worked with Glenn several times over the years, and know he is one of your chief supporters; you have also, I believe, worked with several of my top people in the past (Rob Lannom and Jeff Schneider).

I feel you bro! Its politics baby, all politics! ;)

Good place to do a tourney, hosts are great and the site is easy to get to.
Who else is going with you there?

Who the hell woke you up?
:D

I've been around, jealous of you guys working games.
I still hope to get this aneurysm fixed one day so I can get back to calling games.

So, has your a** thawed out yet up there in the lost NE?:p
I had a nice day today, soaking up the sun and being glad I never see the snow and cold you do.:D

That kind of politics would be fine.
Here is Pa's district 4, nobody does nationals.

Well then your UIC is not doing their job and is hurting the people in his area and should be relieved from his position for incompetence.

You're right - except the district uic thinks his job is just doing everything the district commissioner tells him. And since that's what the district commissioner also wants, nothing is likely to change.

Wow, That sucks! You'd think someone at the upper levels would address that.

Gratz!

Gratz!

Ahh, what a National, of course at that level you get the more adavanced level of whining:D

I have worked the Men's D a couple of times and by the end of the tourney you are worn out but it is a great time.

Get in contact with your fellow umps and prepare for some good ball and some real fun

Wow am I lucky for two reasons. (1) They first assigned me to 16/18 B National in Lancaster, CA and moved me up to 18A Western National in Aurora Co. Better ball 20 degrees cooler. You can't beat that!

Yeah, but now you may have to worry about finding a pair of grey shorts!:rolleyes: ;) :D

During the June and July I joke that you can really tell that I am 1/4 Italian and 3/4 Irish. I point to my face, neck, and arms and say, "this is my Italian 1/4". Then I left up the leg to my pants and say, "this is part of my Irish 3/4".
So if they do wear shorts and you are working with me bring your sunglasses.
:)

Yes, Glenn has known me for as long as I can remember and has been one of the reasons I have been as fortunate as I have by providing opportunities to work with and learn from some of best locally and nationally in both ASA and NCAA. Also, you have a great memory to bring up both Rob and Jeff. I met Rob at the 10 Man and the three of us worked together the following year at the 9 Man. If it is even possible, we may have had too much fun in Lakeland. Both were/are great umpires and anyone involved in grooming them should be very proud. Their performance also says alot about those mentors.

Modified in Lakeland?

Yeah, there was a National there, actually it was Auburndale but the Umps stayed in Lakeland.
I had the priveledge of driving them around as well as having a good time.
That tourney was delayed (I forget why) and many of us who were local dropped so that the traveling guys could get to work the tourney instead of us host guys

Y'all had one of those hurricane things you are fond of having!!

Would the "too much fun" refer to the car damage from Starsky Lannom trying to leap across a rental car like he wasn't 300+ lbs? At. least, that's how they told it later!!

I get to go to the 16 A's in Sioux Falls,SD. From what I understand they are opening a band new 8 field complex. I have done this tournament before and they will take good care of us. Sioux Falls has figured out the economic impact of 130 teams, their parents and the college coaches. Good Times Good Times.

Me too Rachel. Just got the call tonight. We should have a great time!

I was sworn to secrecy about him damaging a car while trying to recreate that famous move across the hood.
BUT since you brought it up, :p
yup that would be part of that famously fun weekend

Just heard, I am headed to 18U Golds

Wow, Congrats.

Any advice on how to get there?

Fly from Sacramento to OKC. It is a nice flight. Not too long but long enough for a meal if you fly a real airline.

:)

Looks like my national will be spent somewhere besides the ball yard. Last worked one in 2005. I guess I am like so many teams in so many tournaments: two and barbecue.

Congrats to all of you who are working nationals.

Europe
 

Not that any of you will care a damn!! :cool:

But I have Turkey & Holland for European Tournaments and every other tournament you can find under softball - calendar at BaseballSoftballUK.com BSUK Home News

You all enjoy yours!!

wadeitnothem:
How to get there? Well good question. I've worked three nationals as high as the USA 18U A's and have very good ratings in all of them. I actually worked the championship game in one of them and worked into Sunday on another. I've been fortunate to have some high level people (UIC's) up here in the Northeast that have helped with my selection to the Golds. I've worked hard to improve my game but quite honestly it's like "being in the right place at the right time."

The process, as I understand it, is that each association can recommend (nominate) 'x' number of umpires to their Regional UIC; how each association makes those selections depends on the Commissioner and the Association UIC. Each Regional UIC can recommend (nominate) 'y' number of umpires to the National Director.

From that compiled list, the National Director chooses which umpires will be used. If there is a Regional distribution or quota/minimum per Region, I am not aware of it, although that certainly would be a consideration.

For example, Mike may be able to submit 2 names each year; but if and when his selections are passed to the National Director is solely the option of his Regional UIC. If they are used is completely to the discretion of the National Director.

So, you need to impress your Commissioner and UIC. If they nominate you, it's up to your Regional UIC to decide to pass you to the final level, where the National Director has to be sufficiently impressed with your credentials.

Thanks (STeve too!). My ultimate goal is OKC.

At any rate, in addition to my national this year, I was awarded 18A's next year in So Cal as part of a package deal from my commish and UIC. So theyre doing me right - but obviously now the balls in my court. I just gotta build the creds. That will be my 3rd, and I did work to Sun last year. I am planning on working NCAA Div II next year to improve my game as well. It seems to have a little better scheduling than HS ball so I should be able to do well there. Every weekend I work hard to tweek my game and I evaluate just about every play all the time. I'm always working on something.

At any rate - congrats. I will be watching on the net! Work hard brother! These girls work hard to there and we owe that!

First timer. Going to Coed C in Cumming, GA.:)

Hello to All, I haven't been on in while... I'm heading to the USA/ASA 14u Girls Fast Pitch in Marietta, GA. I'll propably see Steve there.

Welcome back, Buddha. I am sure I will be visiting early in the week, before I travel to my assignment. I also promised Wade(intothem) that I would make a point to meet him.

Although I had not announced it in this thread... See ya there! I got Georgia on my mind. 14U in GA for me as well.

Oops; sorry. I wasn't outing you, I didn't recall (and didn't reread the entire thread) that you told me outside the thread.

LOL I'm pretty sure I've talked about it lots of places ;)

Just goofin with ya.

12U-A Southern National in Clinton, MS for me this year.

Just signed my contract for the ASA Men's B Fastpitch in Prescott, AZ.

I will be joining SRW in Las Vegas for the USA/ASA 18A.

Give him a big hug for us.

And by "hug," I mean "wedgie."

Very nice. YOu should see some very good ball. Good for you!

Oh the stories that could be told...

Well? We're all eyes here...

14-U in Sterling, Virginia.

I will also be in Las Vegas for the 18A.

JO Nats this w/e (except 18G of course).

You all ready?!?! Personnally, I cant wait. New state and a great national.

You ready? Is your game ready?

I THINK I am .. could fold like a lawn chair though - dunno. :D :eek:

Do you know any of the Ohio umpires that just returned from the Womens 23-U Nationals in Sterling this past weekend? They were a blast!!

Serg

Ok. Wade. Let's see if you are ready!:)

ASA. 3 man. SRW can not answer. Runner on 2B. outs not important. You are 1BU. Throw back to 2nd on pick off attempt. Where do you go?

If I remember correctly - :rolleyes: - ASA wants us to move parallel to the 1B/2B line and get to a 45 degree angle to 2B.

I believe this is contrary to some codes.

Hopefully, one good stride or a couple of short shuffles towards the play while making that big overhand for one of the 42.:D

Yup. I almost mentioned you too Mark cause Warren reminded me of that. Tell him hi for me when you see him.

Thanks.

While we are at it. Remember to communicate. In the slow pitch game televised with 6 umps, you could here the crew communicating on every play when the ball went to the outfield on a base hit, whether a single, double, or triple. Don't remember a tag up but I am sure it happened and they said something.

I will see you there umpirebob71.

6 umps? All on one field? They'd better communicate, since ASA doesn't have a 6-ump manual. By the very definition, they're deviating! ;)

It's good to hear that umps are communicating on the field, though.

What the heck? Why ya gotta hate?

SRW, if I do not have you mixed up with someone, you wrote an article with the answer in it a year or two ago.:)

... related to the 15 things I learned at Advanced Camp, or something like that?

Actually, I believe it was a 5-umpire system

Still, holy crap! Some places are lucky to scrape up 2 umpires per game!

Exactly.

Oh yeah.
That post is here. The article direct link is here.

The quote:

so, anyway...
for those of you who are good enough to do nationals, would you do everyone a favor and like read the umpire manual and know the umpire manual and follow the umpire manual? Not that I am anything great, and not that I am good enough to be doing any kind of national or anything, but damn...

Do not understand.

I think hes player hatin. :D:cool:

Well, people going to a national...or any kind of assignment away from home...should generally be well versed in current mechanics and protocol, things like that. Just a friendly reminder to folks to read/study that thing one more time...no matter how well you know it...give yourself a refresher.

It's always frustrating to see "secret squirrel" signals, to hear pregame talks deal with deviating from mechanics prescribed in the manual, to have folks not know who watches for runners leaving early or who has tag up responsibilities in certain situations.

Thanks. I agree. It has been a long time since I heard secret squirrel. Used to watch that cartoon.

That was a cartoon!!!! :eek:

I know what you mean. Last year, at a SP National, I saw a BU in C. :eek:

You know I agree too. You have to spend time and get ready. Get to the book, hand outs, power points, and other ASA training materials. You get taught one way by one person and one way by another person, so you need a foundation of what ASA has written. You have to measure the feed back you get from umpires and measure that against ASA. Especially NCAA guys, who seem like they know what they are doing, and they do - but they teach wrong by ASA standards. I recommend watching the video a couple of times this week as well. I think whats saved me this year was working so much with both of our umpires since they went to the FP camp OKC. Its really helped my game. At nats, theres only one standard - ASA. Save the rest for later.