What National Are You Going To?

[Manny A]

I've just returned from the 18U Gold in Clearwater, FL.

It was a great learning experience for me, being a relative rookie compared to the vast majority of umpires who were there. Each umpire I talked to had worked many previous Nationals, to include a few Gold, and also have a number of years of NCAA ball under their belts. This was only my third National.

As expected, executing ASA's three-man mechanics was a pretty significant learning curve for me. For those not aware, every game was played with three-man. In my other qualifiers and Nationals, two-man was the norm until we got to the semifinals. I can probably count on two hands how often I've done ASA three-man. Most of my three-man experience comes from high school tournaments.

So when I wasn't on the field, I spent a lot of time watching the other crews and eavesdropping on their evaluator critiques. What I saw and heard was invaluable to me. It was an honor and pleasure to work the Gold with a terrific crew of umpires, and to learn from a tremendous UIC staff.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I've just returned from the 18U Gold in Clearwater, FL.

It was a great learning experience for me, being a relative rookie compared to the vast majority of umpires who were there.

So when I wasn't on the field, I spent a lot of time watching the other crews and eavesdropping on their evaluator critiques. What I saw and heard was invaluable to me. It was an honor and pleasure to work the Gold with a terrific crew of umpires, and to learn from a tremendous UIC staff.

Listening and learning......nice job on your part.
Glad to hear that the tournament went well for you.

[ASA Ump MN]

Way to go Manny!!!! I have a friend who was down there but I haven't had a chance to speak with him yet!

Being selected for 18U Gold's is quite the honor my man!

[UmpireErnie]

Just arrived today for ASA 18u class B western national in Salem, Oregon.

[Insane Blue]

Just getting back from Sunnyvale had a blast. Met some real cool umpires and a few knuckle heads.
To those that got hurt and could not continue you are in my prayers and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

I think everyone learned something and came away even better umpires than when they arrived.

Shane

[Andy]

Finished up the final games for the 10u/12uB Western Nationals here in the Phoenix area yesterday. My first experience as a National Tournament Assistant UIC.

78 teams, 10 fields. First game started at 7:00 am each day (Thurs - Sun) and last game scheduled at 9:00 pm on Thurs, Fri Sat. Earliest we got off the fields was 11:15 pm, latest was 12:05 am.

Ernie...our ASA rep was your State JO Commish....awesome guy, loved working with him.

Shane...several umpires and our tournament UIC were from your association. Enjoyed meeting and working with them as well. Especially impressed by the guy from Lancaster.

Daytime temps as high as 106, but only lost one umpire to the heat. Went through quite a bit of the Spirits of Ammonia, most umpires had never used it and were impressed with how well it works to refresh and revitalize you in the heat.

[RKBUmp]

The heat wasnt so bad when the sun was behind the clouds, but OMG when the sun was out in full force it was miserable. And I had the joy of being in that 12:05AM game after starting my first of the day at 9AM the day before.