Organizations

[Steve M]

Once upon a time, I did nothing but ASA's men's fast pitch. As good mn's fast pitch died out in my district, I looked for something else.
Now, I work for a number of organizations, including different summer ball groups. The main reason for that is that there is no advancement possible is PA's district 4 for ASA.
In the summer, I'll work games for PONY, ISC, and soon to be U-Trip - in addition to ASA. I've found that ASA in a differect Pa district or two and another state are run a lot better than district 4 in Pa - so the ASA games I do are usually not in my home district.
In the spring, high school and college ball take all of my time and efforts.
Our local umpire chapter is indepentdant - willing to work within any sanctioning body. A coach that I have a lot of respect for stated that his first goal is to get kids on the field, then worry about teaching them the game. Our local umpires' group is maionly concerned with preparing umpires to be on the field, then helping each to improve their game.
To hell with any sanctioning body that requires you work their games only.

[AtlUmpSteve]

I must be in a more ideal world; I know I have discussed Steve's world with him.

In my world (metro Atlanta area), my group calls ASA and high school only. There is no need to call anything else; from late February until mid-October (earlier and later for a select few), I can keep the vast majority as busy as they wish.

I don't stop anyone from calling other ball; I strongly support that they are independent contractors. That goes both ways, so they know they drop a notch on the priority list when they decline because they work outside. If the outside is NCAA, I give them every opening for that advancement without any penalty.

As an association, we are requested all the time. I can dictate to parks, leagues, tournaments, that we work ASA, and that is what they need to be if they me and my group. When the consensus is that you have the best product, the teams/leagues/etc will meet what you require.

I suggest that they stay ASA just because 1) it has the best training, 2) just one registration per year, 3) just one set of uniforms to buy, and 3) I can keep them busy in most cases. There just isn't any reason to go outside if your primary group can keep you busy.