I thought it was getting better...
 

Our final two games in the State Championship tournament are tonight here in AZ.

Starting in 2009, we made a big push on teaching obstruction, what it is, how to recognize it, how to administer it when it does occur, etc...

We have really made that a big part of our pre-season clinics and rules focus.
We made the decision to back off a bit this year and focus on some other areas. One of my fellow board members and myself have watched approx 20 games so far in the State tournament and we have seen at least 10 incidents where obstruction was not called when it should have been. When asked about the plays after the games, we are getting responses like "it was just incidental contact", or "she was about to receive the ball"...

Just curious if this is still a problem in other areas or if you all are seeing obstruction called more consistantly.

The problem isn't the rule, but the umpires. I stress the same thing. I stress that there is no downside to making an OBS call. I here a million and one excuses, all lame. But they were up by 20 in the 1st inning... she wasn't going anyway...I didn't think it would have helped the defense...but there was no play...yada, yada, yada. Too many umpires are literally "afraid" to make the call as they are fearful it may affect the game. Huh!?!?

Drives me up a wall. If they tell me from their angle there was no impediment, no problem, that is why they are where they are. But for the sake of a good beer, don't tell me you just decided not to call what you saw for (enter reason here). And then they wonder why people walk around saying that they never see OBS called!

Watching the D2 championship game right now. Bottom of 3rd, CDO catcher blocking plate without ball, no obstruction called.

My question is, how do they get these assignments?

DON'T go there. Not sure about AZ but in my state the ranking system is a joke! LONG story I won't get into but let me just say people who work the state finals aren't always the best in our state!!

And Andy, today alone I have answered 3 emails and the back and forth from them about obstruction. Then on the field tonight I had a play where the coach wanted obstruction on a play at 2B. I explained my call to the coach and his biggest complaint was how inconsistent the rulings have been this year, some call one way some call it another etc. I explain my ruling and he sees where I'm coming from...note other coach was talking to my partner during this conversation and said "I really have no idea why he's talking to him that wasn't even close to obstruction".

As a side note this same coach came up to me later and apologized for how he "came at me" he didn't like it and thought he was out of line. Then he vented about how an umpire didn't call interference the other night, when the coach questioned him, he stated "There was no contact, so it's not interference"

Its pretty much across the board. Watching my daughters D1 conference championship tournament this past weekend asking myself the very same question.

Well, assume you are talking HS since NCAA hasn't started yet.

My contention is, as stated before, too many alleged umpires believe the clinics, schools and seminars are more of a "suggestion" as opposed to direction.

Obviously, they learn more by watching their son's LL or HS baseball game or the MLB game on TV at night. Way too many wannabe's that have a better concept of the game than those who have been working and studying it for years.

AFA how assignments come about, each state has their own procedures. I just returned from a rating committee meeting which offered the qualified umpires for the Northern half of the state. The order of the list is based solely on rating submitted by partners and observers along with personal observances of committee members.

Unfortunately, this list goes the the state HS assn to be compared with the team coaches' selections. It isn't that far off most years, but the coaches definitely slide some "socially adept" umpires up the list for playoff assignments inspite of their lack of skills or willingness to actually enforce all the rules.

Yes, AZ high school division 2 championship game.

Since Andy can't just come out and say it..... There is a HUGE difference between Phoenix umpires and the outlying areas..... The Phoenix area HS crew does an amazing job with training.... and they can be a little more selective with state tournament assignments. The Championships are usually split up between different parts of the state with Phoenix usually getting the top level(s). The outlying areas are less likely to send a well trained umpire over a buddy.....regardless of the type of season the buddy is having. It gets sickening....same bad mistakes from the same bad umpires. Not saying Phoenix has all the good ones, because there are some GREAT ones from Tucson.... but that's the general rule of thumb

That seems to be relevant in many areas. Some take their umpiring to the extremes on training while others seem to be "here's your hat, here's your schedule, see you in three months" type of associations.

Really don't care how some people feel about training, it can only put the umpire in a better position to succeed on the field, locally and nationally. There is no such thing as too much training.

Could you PLEASE convey that to the "veterans" in my state that think they should be able to test out of training every year. :rolleyes:

I think I would take that bet with just about any of them I know....I will give them the test that was presented at this years clinics. I bet 95+% of them could not score over an 80% of it!! Would that help their "I don't need this attitude"?? Probably not but it would reassure us they don't have a clue! :p

Uhh.... do we really need reassuring?

oh, and can you try to be more entertaining next year?

Was at the game...know exactly the play you are talking about....ASA State UIC and I were watching together and both of us said....OBSTRUCTION at the same time....I think I even stuck my left arm out sitting in the stands.....

Wait, Dave be more entertaining????

After spending a week with him in San Diego last year...he's pretty damn entertaining.....:D

Do those of you who train umps have different "levels" of training (at the HS level) or is everyone (Rookies-old dogs) basically getting the same info at the same time in the same meeting[s]?

Thanks

Speaking as one who attends training, it is everyone at the same time here.

Due to time constraints, I'll give you the Readers Digest version of what we do.

In Indiana (ASA) we give schools and clinics. The clinics are basically just a "what's new this year" sit and learn type of deal.

At our schools, we bring everybody into a common room. Give them a brief run down of what is expected of them and then split our umpires into separate groups for drills. "Rookies" being one of those groups in which we go over the most basic of basics. From how to brush a plate to what heel-toe really means.

Andy can add in more later because he is more involved, but in the Metro Phoenix, AZ area, the AIA rates officials on a scale of 1-4, 1 being a certified umpire, and 4 being a rookie. There is also a 5 designation, but that is for a transfer official who has not yet been reviewed by an observer. Once reviewed they are placed somewhere in the 1-4 rating.

AIA starts out the year for softball officials with a mandatory general meeting for all umpires. They basically go over any rules changes from previous years, general information on what they expect from the new season, have a few presentations, some awards and some raffles.

Then there is about a month worth of classes held at various points all around the metro area. Some of the classes are Mondays, others on Tuesdays, and some others on Wednesdays. Each week all locations cover the same topics, so if you cant make it to one of the classes on say Monday, you can catch the same class at another location on Tuesday. These classes are for the 1 and 2 rated umpires. The 3 and 4 umpires all have their classes at the main AIA offices and also do some on field work over a few nights. In addition to these classes, there is also a Saturday of clinics, usually 4, that cover various topics such as pitching infractions and the look back rule.

I dont remember all the requirements, but certified umpires are required to attend 3 of the weekly classes, 2 of the clinics and score 90% or higher on the test.

That's basically it in a nutshell. I am one of the instructors for the 1s and 2s, so these are supposedly the veteran umpires. I used to believe that at this level, these classes should focus more on the art and philosophy of umpiring as opposed to rules review. However, I have found that a number of our "vets" scanned the book 20 or so years ago and just think they need some update on the changes and they're good to go. So this past year we went back to a rules focus and basically went through the book. We shall see what the impact of that decision is.

This is too true. Our assn hosted an ASA State Umpire School with two very good out of state clinicians brought in. The turn out was very disappointing.

WL wasn't sitting on that side, was he?