TX TASO news

[Tex]

I umpire in both Arkansas and Texas. Arkansas is like Arizona – the state runs everything. Texas has the middle organization (TASO).

Arkansas is way ahead of Texas. Receive rule books, membership cards, pays NFHS dues, keeps status of umpires, annual test is through NFHS, etc.

TASO does not do any of these. An umpire is lucky to even receive a rule book with TASO. Even the equipment distributers are cutting back on TASO items for this coming year.

UIL can’t be any worse then TASO.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Tex

I umpire in both Arkansas and Texas. Arkansas is like Arizona – the state runs everything. Texas has the middle organization (TASO).

Arkansas is way ahead of Texas. Receive rule books, membership cards, pays NFHS dues, keeps status of umpires, annual test is through NFHS, etc.

TASO does not do any of these. An umpire is lucky to even receive a rule book with TASO. Even the equipment distributers are cutting back on TASO items for this coming year.

UIL can’t be any worse then TASO.

Tex. That would be a local issue. You cannot fault TASO for what your local people aren't doing. Every year, I get my rule books at the first of January, in a box to be distributed to the membership. In that collection of books, you will also find the membership cards(that entitle officials to get into any sporting event pro gratis), and a Referee Magazine supplement. Texas is not a full member state, currently, in NFHS, because it has been better for us to get the insurance that we get through TASO. It is the job of the local chapter officers to forward the status of their officials to TASO, which we do every year. TASO also supplies you with a test, both on paper and online, that requires a passing grade for an official to be eligible to call any contest at the varsity level. If you are not taking, and passing this test annually, not to mention attending the required state or regional meetings, then not only are you not eligible to work varsity games, you also are not eligible to call any playoffs. Worse, the games that have been worked in a season by non-sanctioned officials could result in forfeits by the teams using the non-sanctioned officials, and some sort of sanction by the state against the chapter who is assigning these non-sanctioned officials to work varsity/playoff games. By the way, these are the requirements of the UIL as well. (All except the state/regional meeting requirement.) So, rather than blame TASO, place the blame where it belongs. I will be most happy to alert both TASO and the UIL of the mismanagement that appears to be going on in the Texarkana area. I am sure that they would be happy to fix this for you.

As for the equipment distributors, of course they are cutting back. There is no reason to lay in large stocks of TASO labelled items when the UIL is trying their damnedest to get rid of them. That is just good business sense. People tend to underestimate the power of the UIL. But again, this has absolutely nothing to do with TASO.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Tex

UIL can’t be any worse than TASO.

Just wait a year, buddy, and then tell me that!

[Texasbock]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Just wait a year, buddy, and then tell me that!

The UIL asst director spoke at one of our most recent "TASO" meetings in Houston. After a lot of time talking about what little changes would be in effect, everyone within my circle agreed that this was probably in the best interest of the high school softball umpire and that very little change would actually take place.

Those who seemed to be the most against what was going on were the ones with strong TASO affiliations or just resistant to change - period.

Ho-hum, a diddly dum.

The strength of the high school softball program is as strong as the local chapter. And, the Houston chapter is second to none. If anyone thinks that Arkansas has a better anything than the state of Texas, they need to keep the garage door open next time they paint the car.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Texasbock

The UIL asst director spoke at one of our most recent "TASO" meetings in Houston. After a lot of time talking about what little changes would be in effect, everyone within my circle agreed that this was probably in the best interest of the high school softball umpire and that very little change would actually take place.

Then why change?

And I'm sure the UIL AD would provide any information which may not have been beneficial to the purpose of his visit, right?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Texasbock

The UIL asst director spoke at one of our most recent "TASO" meetings in Houston. After a lot of time talking about what little changes would be in effect, everyone within my circle agreed that this was probably in the best interest of the high school softball umpire and that very little change would actually take place.

Those who seemed to be the most against what was going on were the ones with strong TASO affiliations or just resistant to change - period.

Ho-hum, a diddly dum.

The strength of the high school softball program is as strong as the local chapter. And, the Houston chapter is second to none. If anyone thinks that Arkansas has a better anything than the state of Texas, they need to keep the garage door open next time they paint the car.

Of course he would say that. That is what they want you to believe. Remember the promises Hitler made to Germany in the 30's. However, tell me, why is UIL already wanting all organizations in the state of Texas who aren't registered with ArbtierSports.com to register with them now, and for all who are to either re-register as a UIL affiliate, or to share the account info with UIL so that they can incorporate it into their databases? (This memo was sent out to assignors about a month ago.) Sounds like the fox is already wanting in the henhouse to me.

I was in a meeting in October with Tony T., and we could never get a straight answer to any question. He kept spinning the line you talk about, that there will be very little change...blah blah blah.....and when I posed the simple question, "then why change now?" he never did answer me. Instead, he launched into a diatribe about his credentials. We all came away from the meeting convinced, largely on his words, that nothing good can come of this.

However, when the same group met with Mike M. of TASO, all of our answers were answered very directly and succintly, even though much of what he had to say was not what anyone was wanting to hear.

If nothing is going to change, then, like Mike said, "why change?" You know that things are going to change, most notably insurance (I have a comparison form if you are interested), and in all likelihood pay and method of post season assigning. The UIL exists for its member schools. That means it exists for its member AD's. When push comes to shove on officials' pay and benefits, who do you really think they will side with?

I have no vested interest in TASO(in fact, I have had my share of gripes with them), and I usually think change is a good thing. (Heck, I don't even keep my facial hair the same way for much more than a month at a time.) So, the only reason I am so adamant in this, is because with the information I have received from both sides of the fences, and my own diligent research, I feel that this is a bad change no matter how you slice it.

It is somewhat akin to William B Travis asking Santa Anna to guard the fort for him while he took a cigarette break.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

It is somewhat akin to William B Travis asking Santa Anna to guard the fort for him while he took a cigarette break.

So, it was okay for Neill to ask Travis to watch the fort while he went out for a cigarette, but Travis couldn't ask Santa Anna?

[topper]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

I have no vested interest in TASO...

Aren't you your local chapter's president?

Originally Posted by Texasbock

The strength of the high school softball program is as strong as the local chapter. And, the Houston chapter is second to none.

If both these sentences are true, I understand why TASO is getting the boot. Single umpires, NO umpires, late umpires, unprofessional umpires, shabbily dressed umpires, etc. I won't even start on mechanics, rules knowledge, judgment, and game management. There are some quality officials in the Houston Chapter, but they are certainly the exception and not the rule. I can only name 3 or 4 that I would care to work with. The truly sad part for HS softball is that Texasbock may be right.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by topper

Aren't you your local chapter's president?

And your point?

[topper]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

And your point?

You say you have no vested interested in TASO but have been it's staunchest supporter on this board. Have you worked hard to make your Chapter the best in the state, or, like I've heard from other officers of associations, did you take the post because nobody else wanted it? If it's the former, the argument can be made that you do have a stake in this. If it's the latter, well...

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by topper

You say you have no vested interested in TASO but have been it's staunchest supporter on this board. Have you worked hard to make your Chapter the best in the state, or, like I've heard from other officers of associations, did you take the post because nobody else wanted it? If it's the former, the argument can be made that you do have a stake in this. If it's the latter, well...

Your logic makes no sense. I took the post with the vested interest of the membership in mind, to improve it and to look out for the chapter's best interests. The chapter membership have told me that they don't want this change, so I am supporting that. How does that give me a vested interest in TASO OR the UIL. My interest is in the good of the chapter. The chapter will stay the chapter, whether or not it is through TASO or the UIL.

My argument, as I have clearly stated over and over again, is a simple one. The UIL is doing its job when it looks out for the interests of its member schools and AD's. So far, from what I can tell, it has done a fine job of that. One that is to be commended.

TASO's is doing its job when it looks out for the welfare of the sports official in the state of Texas. So far, it seems to have done a pretty good job from where I am sitting. Every gripe that I have heard on this board against TASO has to do with the failings of the local leadership, rather than the failings of TASO. Those same problems would continue to exist no matter who is in charge.

So, when it comes to a battle for the welfare of the officials of Texas, TASO is the defender of the officials. The UIL is the defender of the schools and their AD's, and what is monetarily in their best interest. That is the way it should be, and it has worked fine that way for more that three decades.

So, once again, to sum up my argument as concisely as possible, I just don't think it is wise to have the fox guarding the henhouse.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by topper

You say you have no vested interested in TASO but have been it's staunchest supporter on this board. Have you worked hard to make your Chapter the best in the state, or, like I've heard from other officers of associations, did you take the post because nobody else wanted it? If it's the former, the argument can be made that you do have a stake in this. If it's the latter, well...

Scott,

What is your income from that position? I'm sure you are reimbursed for every minute, every phone call, every stamp and envelope, not to mention the cost of your ISP used in executing your duties as president.

And how is that TASO 401K coming? Make your first million yet? I'm sure as the president of your association, you get all your uniforms and equipment comped and the schedule.....boy, I bet you get to pick your games and partner.

That only leaves one thing, it must be your ego.

[DNTXUM P]

Mike, I really hope you were kidding by your comments, but with your icon post, I doubt it. I have known Scott for at least 10 years. Let me say that he truly has only the chapter's best interest at heart. I take offense at the implications.

I am not sure whether TASO or UIL is the best way to go. Insurance might be better with TASO, but pay is still whatever UIL decides to give umpires and TASO while they might lobby for pay increase, really does not get officials any more money and TASO has had their own organization messed up for several decades.


But for any of you to attack Scott without knowing him or his intentions - shame on you

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by DNTXUM P

Mike, I really hope you were kidding by your comments, but with your icon post, I doubt it. I have known Scott for at least 10 years. Let me say that he truly has only the chapter's best interest at heart. I take offense at the implications.

I am not sure whether TASO or UIL is the best way to go. Insurance might be better with TASO, but pay is still whatever UIL decides to give umpires and TASO while they might lobby for pay increase, really does not get officials any more money and TASO has had their own organization messed up for several decades.

I'm not a union guy, but I can guarantee that if you do not have an organization to represent the group as a whole, how will umpires ever have anything to say about what happens on the field? But that's up to you.

But for any of you to attack Scott without knowing him or his intentions - shame on you

You do understand what an emoticon is and the purpose of it's use, right?

[Tex]

Keep in mind this UIL / TASO situation is a state issue, not a local chapter issue. The local chapters are in a “wait, see, and do” time frame. A lawsuit has been filed by TASO. This issue may not be resolved this school year.