ASA Should Be Ashamed

[okla21fan]

Originally Posted by Jake26

But is that an "un-American" crew?

plate and U3 are from the DFW area

[EsqUmp]

Finally, something that Mike and I can agree on. I concur, ASA should be ashamed. ISF too.

[outathm]

After listening to my wife talk about 'branding' for many years now, I agree. ISF needs to make sure that any game, but especially a televised game has the proper and newest ISF logo prominently displayed anywhere they can get it placed. The easiest is to make sure that the Umpires, who are going to be on TV almost as much as, or more than some players are uniformed in ISF gear.

A game that will be watched by America on basic cable should not be worked by umpires in ASA uniforms.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by outathm

A game that will be watched by America on basic cable should not be worked by umpires in ASA uniforms.

Is that a slight on ASA umpires? Or is ASA not allowed to be on basic cable due to some contractual issue? I'm confused by your general comment here.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Is that a slight on ASA umpires? Or is ASA not allowed to be on basic cable due to some contractual issue? I'm confused by your general comment here.

Cannot answer for anyone else, but I would assume he meant that a tournament specific to sell international softball in the United States needs to be seen as an international game played under international rules and officiated by international umpires. It also offers the appearance, even though there is none in the case, of non-partisan officials indifferent to the countries represented.

[MD Longhorn]

even at my lowly level, no official I know would show up at a non-ASA event wearing ASA apparel.

[shagpal]

I see that all the time.

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

even at my lowly level, no official I know would show up at a non-ASA event wearing ASA apparel.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Cannot answer for anyone else, but I would assume he meant that a tournament specific to sell international softball in the United States needs to be seen as an international game played under international rules and officiated by international umpires. It also offers the appearance, even though there is none in the case, of non-partisan officials indifferent to the countries represented.

I agree with you on that standpoint. outathm's statement seemed more generic when I read it, and not specific to this tournament.

[outathm]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Cannot answer for anyone else, but I would assume he meant that a tournament specific to sell international softball in the United States needs to be seen as an international game played under international rules and officiated by international umpires. It also offers the appearance, even though there is none in the case, of non-partisan officials indifferent to the countries represented.

I did mean to say that ISF dropped the ball. I have no issue with ASA uniforms being worn, but it should be an ASA tournament to do so. I seem to remember last year tuning in to the "Premiere Girls Championship' games being televised on one of the 'other' sports only channels and seeing the umpires all wearing ASA gear, to include the ball bags on the plate umpire.

Now admittedly, I notice umpires more than the casual viewer, but the 'mom or dad' who was tuning in late would think this was an ASA tournament. The same is true of this tournament, with ASA being worn by the umpires. The casual observer would not have known this was being played under international rules, they would only see another 'brand' prominently displayed.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by outathm

I did mean to say that ISF dropped the ball. I have no issue with ASA uniforms being worn, but it should be an ASA tournament to do so. I seem to remember last year tuning in to the "Premiere Girls Championship' games being televised on one of the 'other' sports only channels and seeing the umpires all wearing ASA gear, to include the ball bags on the plate umpire.

Now admittedly, I notice umpires more than the casual viewer, but the 'mom or dad' who was tuning in late would think this was an ASA tournament. The same is true of this tournament, with ASA being worn by the umpires. The casual observer would not have known this was being played under international rules, they would only see another 'brand' prominently displayed.

Not sure what tournament you saw, but I can ABSOLUTELY guarantee you did not see ASA anything at the Premier. SoCal ASA even had people there watching and taking pictures of who was there; there would have been an instant lawsuit for trademark infringement if PGF used anything ASA.

I am sure you saw it somewhere, but it wasn't there.

[shagpal]

Premier uses modified HS ruleset.

You are likely mistaking it for TCS (triple crown) that does use ASA ruleset.

Originally Posted by outathm

I did mean to say that ISF dropped the ball. I have no issue with ASA uniforms being worn, but it should be an ASA tournament to do so. I seem to remember last year tuning in to the "Premiere Girls Championship' games being televised on one of the 'other' sports only channels and seeing the umpires all wearing ASA gear, to include the ball bags on the plate umpire.

Now admittedly, I notice umpires more than the casual viewer, but the 'mom or dad' who was tuning in late would think this was an ASA tournament. The same is true of this tournament, with ASA being worn by the umpires. The casual observer would not have known this was being played under international rules, they would only see another 'brand' prominently displayed.