ASA Nationals....Worth it????

[argodad]

Originally Posted by JEL

If you leave a National and have not become even a slightly more proficient umpire, you haven't paid attention!

If you leave a National and have not made new friendship with other folks who share the same passion for umpiring as you, then maybe you should stay home.

I've been able to work three ASA Nationals. I learned more about umpiring in those three tournaments than I did in years of local clinics and many seasons of working games with my own association.

But the best part is the friends you make. I've met some of the top officials in our game, and I regularly exchange e-mails with umpires from around the country. When I had my leg amputated, it was this network that put me in touch with other amputees who came back to call fastpitch. That encouragement was worth way more than any game fees I could have earned.