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Officiating takes more than OJT. It's not our jobs to invent rulings to fit our personal idea of what should and should not be. |
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My opinion is that establishing and teaching a standard is absolutely the ideal when dealing with the masses. That is the ASA mantra, and has been effective for many years. To some degree, they ARE the "dummy down" mechanics.
But, I also think that when the mantra becomes dogma, that is short-sighted. We are taught there is just one way; and even when it is acknowledged that it isn't the best way in a specific situation, that is the only approved way. Keep it simple, stupid. So, evaluation more often is objective, based on strict criteria; but the results can suffer. Instead of getting in the best position to get it right. Years ago, a highly respected NUS member was effectively shunned for teaching "advanced mechanics for advanced umpires". He wasn't teaching the masses; he taught (suggested) differing mechanics to those assigned to ASA major national tournaments, or wanting to learn at the Advanced Camps. In principle, I think the NCAA philosophy is better. It suggests alternate stances that can be used so that individuals can use what works best for them, states that there aren't 'x' spots to stand so that thinking umpires can adjust to game situations, and designates the results and goals as being more important than the means. Unfortunately, (in MY experience), the reality is that isn't the criteria used by many of the conference coordinators, their evaluators, or even all of the prior SUIP; evaluation results all too often are/were based on the 'x' spots, and the "thinking" used by the "thinking umpires" often dismissed if the evaluator wanted it done differently. In my opinion, it is even harder to be evaluated when the criteria is intended to be subjective; even more so when they get to interject their personal preferences that have nothing to do with calling the game (like if you chew gum versus seeds, or where you put your sunglasses, or what facial hair is acceptable, or if you choose to drink beer on YOUR time). The other overriding concern I have is the efforts to standardize mechanics when the games are different. It is crystal clear that slowpitch has different rules than fastpitch; it is, frankly, a different game. When the rules are different, and the game is different, there should be no problem with different mechanics. SP can start in B to save steps; if you need to focus on the pitcher's footwork relative to the pitching plate, then A is a better starting position. When the height of a pitch isn't a factor, then setting prior to release is a plus; when gauging the height of a ball thrown with arc is required, it may be (certainly was assumed to be for a great many years) better to stay upright, make that decision, then let the ball take you down through the zone (isn't that the same as "tracking"??). As to the other thread, I would NEVER agree that the BU in slowpitch should always stay outside; just as I really don't agree that the BU should always buttonhook. In my personal opinion (albeit NOT what I teach), both should be acceptable, with a thinking umpire utilizing what works best (for THAT umpire and crew) in certain game situations. But, that's just me. Not speaking the party line (any party line, obviously); just my thoughts.
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Steve ASA/ISF/NCAA/NFHS/PGF |
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I agree, for many of the same reason you have already stated.
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Scott It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to have to paint it. |
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I have been told where to start and the path to take to get to the general area using ASA's mechanics, but the NCAA does the same thing. However, if you need to move one way or the other to make the call, you do it and ASA mechanics will not tell you otherwise. Quote:
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As was borne out in the major noted above, the advantage to standard mechanics is that any number of umpires can walk on any field and without so much as a few words can work a game successfully. I can, and have, stepped on the field with two strangers and all work a great game. I'll say it again, both ASA and NCAA and probably every other association tell the umpire where to start, where to finish and how to get there in a preferred manner. However, they all support whatever it takes to get the call correct. Some have different ideas than others on how to get to that point, but the objective is the same. Part of the problem using the same format for both. Like it or not, it IS a fact of life that ASA must accommodate a much wider spectrum of umpires and BPs thought of the advanced training of advanced umpires is, and will continue, to be nearly impossible as long as the code and costs interfere with umpire assignments at the national level. In the NCAA, the umpire must earn their way and the NCAA makes somewhat of an effort to get the best umpires on the field in a closed shop. As long as the majority of umpires at ASA nationals are local umpires, some not qualified, ASA will be limited to the KISS method of instruction and direction.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball. Last edited by IRISHMAFIA; Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 09:22pm. |
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Scott It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to have to paint it. |
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Some have different ideas than others on how to get to that point, but the objective is the same. But if you followed ASA mechanics that varied from that of the NCAA in a NCAA championship game, you wouldn't get dinged? An umpire got dinged a couple years ago at an NCAA championship for opening a beer AFTER the tournament, but still in the locker room. There is the story of an umpire lost games in the NCAA Championships in OKC because she had her picture taken on the field while there were still a handful of parents still in the stands at the end of the night. I wouldn't doubt many umpires on here have their own stories. Again, same target, same demands and expectations, comparable disciplinary actions for failure, just a different path.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball. |
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Again, more below.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball. |
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The point I was making is that in NCAA I have options. On the play I mentioned, I could either rim or button hook in just like ASA reccommends. Both would be totally acceptable. I would like to see ASA become a little more lenient at the higher levels where umpire mechanics are concerned. As for what happens after a game or in a locker room, that isn't covered in any rule book, and thus is strictly subjective to the UIC. This is true of any organization.
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Scott It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to have to paint it. |
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But we are trying to compare two different animals. The NCAA is a closed shop that has no problem fielding umpires though I'm not impressed that some umpires receive assignments in multiple levels. But that is what they think works best and it is their call. Meanwhile, the ASA assignments are more spread out and the quality of umpire is out of the UIC's hands. In some areas, even the state/metro has no say in who is sent to championship play. Quote:
31.1.15 Availability of Alcoholic Beverages. Alcoholic beverages shall not be sold or otherwise made
available for public consumption at any championship event sponsored by or administered by the Association, nor to the site is available to spectators until all patrons have left the facility or area used for competition).shall any such beverages be brought to the site during the championship (during the period from the time access I read this as pertaining solely to areas accessible to the general public especially since on-campus college facilities hosting NCAA events have been routinely serving alcoholic beverages, but in private club situations. But many outside venues have taken in a step further by selling alcoholic beverages on site, just steps away from the field on which the game is to be played, but just on the other side of a cyclone fence. A private locker room is just that, private. I know this has nothing to do with mechanics, but with evaluations and part of what Steve mentioned. IMO, this "beer" ding was an act based upon the UIC's personal opinion. This petty BS exists everywhere and, also IMO, should be extremely discounted or outright removed. Regardless of the game or level, an evaluation should be based on performance and results, not the nit-picking crap I read in some of the evaluations which come through my office. Okay, done pontificating about this. Back to the mechanics.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball. Last edited by IRISHMAFIA; Thu Dec 02, 2010 at 11:19pm. |
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