ASA Nationals....What to expect??
 

Got my contract signed and a note from the UIC for my first National. What should I expect as far as number of games/day, overall experience etc.? Like I said, new to the National thing, just looking for what's going to happen during the week, advice.....

Thanks

3-5 games per day. Crappy pay....hopefully good food (OKC or Atlanta is great....Ft. Worth and College Station is also good).....you will not be able to put a BB up your butt for your first game.....but you will survive.

You will be nervous.......but you will have the time of your life.

Make sure you have all of your uniforms in order. That is important.

Most important........listen to the UIC for the tournament......do what he says.......and you should be OK.

Joel

Enjoy meeting your fellow umpires. Some of the best friends I ever made were at Nationals.

Shhhhh! Don't tell him about the induction ceremony! It's a secret! :eek:
Absolutely. That's the LAST thing you should slouch on. Keep your shoes polished and get your uniform nicely pressed before you leave. I always prefer a brand new hat for the Nationals. It just looks sharper.
Agreed completely. If s/he tells you to do a headstand while calling strikes, do the best damn headstand you can.

And congratulations! Getting an ASA National is quite an accomplishment.

Where?
 

Where will this first National take you?

About an hour down the road in Montomery, AL. 12u A.

Interestingly, we have guys coming in from Alaska. Forcast for August in Alabama is 100º+ and 90% humidity. Not quite Alaska weather.

Got 2 new hats and 2 new pairs of pants for Nationals. I really don't like the Fechheimer pants - they really don't fit me well. Very tight.

Used the leather luster on the shoes this spring - still look good.

Ready to go!!

I'm not a fan of the leather luster. Just some good ol' fashioned Kiwi polish with the right brushes will do wonders.

Do you have just the 2 pairs of Fechheimers? Or do you have more, but bought 2 more? I think you might need more than just the 2....

Me too !!!
 

Have to look you up. I'll be there too. But I'll be on the other side of the fence this year. Daughter is playing.

Who is the UIC?

That may not be the make of the pants. :rolleyes:

Depending on your UIC that may not be a good thing. Different folks have different opinions on the high-gloss type of applications to shoes and belts. Shouldn't hurt on evaluation, but don't get upset if someone says something.

Got two additional pairs. Bought two last year and have bairly worn them, 2 more this year - total of 4. 2 base/2 plate. I usually like the charcoal but those are staying at home. I believe my district UIC, who will be the assistant UIC @ the National, would have a heart attack If I showed up in the charcoal pants.

Most of my nationals, I've worked 4 or 5 games Mon. - Wed. It'll slow down a bit on Thu. or Fri. You might work 2 games on Sat. If you bust your hump, do what's asked of you and look good and don't make waves, add another game on Sunday.

Then again, if it rains, expect some verrrry long days.

Good luck to you. Have a blast. You'll make some great friends.

Good choice. They would be as welcome as a red uniform shirt.

And shinguards with shorts. :D

I to got my go ahead this am from my Distric UIC. See you in Montgomery:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Good people in Montgomery. They treat you well. If it is like 2008, you will split time between Fain Park and Lagoon Park with the weekend games at Lagoon Park. Opening ceremonies were in the Montgomery Biscuits stadium. We also had umpires from Alaska and Washington. It took them a couple of days to adjust. Keep an eye on them if they are your partners in the early rounds.

One of your Alaska comrades WILL have charcoal pants. After about an inning, they will be charcoal color just to below the pocket, after about three innigs they will be charcoal all the way to his feet!

If you get a chance to work with that guy (Stan), by all means try and do so! He is an excellent umpire, super guy, and fun to work with.

You never did say, Who is the UIC?

UIC is Bob Mauger from up North somewhere....NJ I think. Yankees......:rolleyes:

Bob Mauger is from New Jersey. I have never worked for him, but have had several conversations with him at UIC Clinics and National Council meetings the past few years. Also have several common acquaintances (I lived in NJ until I moved to GA in 1985; I guess that makes me a Damn Yankee, since I never left:D:D).

I would consider him fairly laid back (well not Max Wilkes, but as laid back as a Yankee can be), and would think he wouldn't be overly demanding or critical considering this is 12U, plus the anticipated heat and heat index. But, I would also expect certain minimums to be completely adhered to; proper ASA uniforms, rules knowledge, game management, courtesy to coaches, working ASA mechanics.

I expect you will enjoy working with Bob, unless you can't live up to those expectations.