ASA umpires

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I coached my daughter in travel ball for five years, 12u through 18u, and I am now an ASA umpire doing rec league. I believe that the umpires who need to be reading these threads won't be on this site.

I remember back a few years ago when I coached and did not give the umps the credit they deserve. The reason I am umpiring rec league is because I remember how "blue" was treated and the long, hot days on the field.

All of you critics should try it sometime. You'd have your eyes opened in a hurry.

 

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UMPIRE_FPSOFTBALL and ps7281,

Just curious, have you seen umpires like those decribed by some people in this thread? What is the solution to improving skills/knowledge of those who are lacking.

I have many friends that are umpires. Recently during a discussion, one of these friends told me that there are some partners that they are embarrassed to be on the field with. They told me that they take them aside after the game and discuss the "shortcomings" - some are interested in getting better and many blew him off. Have you had this happen to you?

 

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Hey I know how it is to umpire...i am a registered ASA umpire, AND i have made iffy calls in my day. I didnt mean to be TOO critical, i just was saying what i thought of the one umpire's strike zone this past weekend. But like I said, overall the umpireing was pretty good

 

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Let me just add this to all the discussion on what it takes to be an umpire.

First of all many umpires are not only certifield by
ASA but also by NSA, Pony, USSSA, NCAA, OHSSA and others

Going to Classes to become a certified umpire some taking numerous weekend meetings taking 2-3 hours a day to some taking 30-40 hours of training.

Constant study of rule changes.

Different rules for different associations.

Fees paid prior to the season to different associations ASA/NSA/Pony etc.

Assigner association fees (every association you umpire for has these fees)

Other Umpire costs (these are the minimum)

1. Dark Navy Shirt (ASA) $35.00
2. Light Blue Shirt (ASA/NCAA) $35.00
3. White Shirt (NSA) $35.00
4. Dark Navy Shirt OHSSA Logo $40.00
5. Grey Combo Pants $45.00-50.00 ASA/NSA/OHSSA (Hemmed Add $8.00)
6. Dark Navy Pants $45.00-$50.00 ASA/NCAA
7. Chest Protector $79.00-$160.00
8. Facemask $45.00-$89.00
9. Shinguards $39.00-$79.00
10. Protective Cup $25.00
11. Base Shoes $29.00-$59.00
12. Plate Shoes $89.00-$129.00
13. Ball Bag Grey (ASA/OHSSA) $8.00-$20.00
14. Ball Bag Black NSA Logo $20.00
15. Ball Bag Navy ASA/NCAA $8.00-$20.00
16. Plate Brush $2.00-$4.00
17. Ball/Strike Indicator $3.95-$22.00
18. Black Socks $10.00
19. Black Belt W/Silver buckle $20.00-$30.00
20. Equipment Bag $20.00-$70.00
21. Plate Hat Navy Wool $20.00 Fitted
21. Base Hat Navy Wool $20.00 Fitted
22. Combo Hat Navy Mesh $15.00 Fitted
23. Black (NSA Logo) $25.00 Fitted
24. Jacket Navy ASA/NCAA $45.00
25. Jacket Black (NSA Logo) $45.00
26. Black Neopreme Gloves $20.00 Cold Weather Use
27. White Under Armour T-shirt $45.00
28. Timer $30.00
29. Line-Up Card holder $10.00


This is just for one of everything listed above for mutiple associations.

I myself have 3-4 of each (Shirts, Pants, Socks, T-shirt, Indicator, Chest Protector (This is for each affiliated Association i belong to)

Add it up it comes to a small fortune just to be ready to be an umpire. Now I realize not everbody is affialted with all of the above associations but many like myself are. I know of umpires who have way more than myself.

You are always updating equipment from wear/tear and just to update to new more comfortable items.

I buy all this equipment to listen to a fan in stands tell me that ball was no way a strike or the girl was out or safe at a base when I'm 5 feet away and there 75 feet away. I take pride in being an umpire and being properly dressed, equipped
and knowledgeable of all the rules.

This is what it takes to be umpire before I get paid one red cent. But remember I chose to do this and expect these costs. So next time before you consider complaining about an umpire consider what it takes to be an umpire.

Maybe not all umpires go about it the way I do but many of us do so keep that in mind. There are good ones and mediocre people in all types of jobs. Take a good look at your self and ask yourself do I do all I can to be the best I can be.

And as with umpires there are good coaches and parents as well as mediocre ones.

Thanks for the chance to let me express my opions on this issue on this subject here.

 

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Not to mention the psychological impact of changing your clothes in public

I've seen more than I'd like of a few umpires, if you know what I mean.

 

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pittpower19 we must have had that same umpire in troy. neither pitcher could throw a strike unless the batter swung and missed. it was funny you could see the looks on the pitchers faces, neither lost their cool though. this guy was young and i almost think he was showing everyone what happens when someone dares to question a call. the other teams pitcher was throwing a curve ball that was clearly crossing the plate in the strike zone and the ump, in response to her complaint, turned and told her mom that the pitch was 8 inches out side. all you can do is finish the game and move on.

 

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exactly tmac, when we questioned his calls he said "I CALLED IT A BALL" and didnt say how. When our coach asked "Where is your strike zone so my pitcher can throw it there" the umpire threw him out. I dont know if he was the same umpire though this one was in his 50s so i dont know if he was the same or not.

 

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Additional money would be nice for the work we do but it is not an incentive to do a better job. I love what I try and love working with youth, I try to give the same game no matter what the level or the pay. Making a contest out of umpiring for a cash prize would not be a good thing. This would just entice the umpires that do it just for the money.

 

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we played in a very long weekend tournament that was actually VERY professionally umpired...except.... the championship game the ump behind the plate and the opposing catcher started doing this "handshake" routine every time she came out on defense...laughing the whole time.... and weirdly enough, our pitcher couldn't get a corner to save her life while our girls were striking out on called strikes a GOOD 6 inches outside or above the shoulders. even another ump watching the game had to walk away shaking his head..... other than this "small" thing, i thought the umpiring was fantastic.

 

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I cannot understand how an umpire in any association can decide not to call a strike a strike. ? ?I understand that a stike is a judgment call but there is a limit to the judgement, ?hence the description of the strike zone in the rule books. ? It seems in every tournament there is one umpire who is afraid to call a strike. ? We had one this weekend that would not call a strike. ? Once seeing this guys strike zone our players just stood there and the other teams pitching coach about fell off his bucket over and over. ? It was horrible and unexcusable. ? This ump should not have been paid if he was. ? I really cannot understand this, ?I'm not talking about pitches on the black, ?I mean middle of the plate at the belt, ?over and over again. ? ?I have umpired before and missed pitches, ? but not to this degree. ?

 

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Being a high school and ASA umpire myself, I do not like to talk about other umps. Most of the umps used in tournaments get the jobs because they have been around and have first rights in some associations. I know that in my association we have a lot of talented umps that do a great job and we all get equal time in games(varsity and state tournament games). A lot of our veteran guys give up jobs so the younger umps can get some game time in. In short, a lot of good umps do not get calls for games because they are not known. So please do not sour your opinons on all umps because of a few.

 

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Monarch I agree there are some good umps out there but we have not seen many the last 4 weeks. I still think a performance based incentive is the way to go in larger tourneys. It would also serve as positive recognition for the umps that achieve this and give them a little extra cash.

I think if nothing else they sure would hustle to get in position for the calls.

 

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TMac, I know EXACTLY what you mean...that was like us this weekend. Like you, I HAVE umpired before and looking back shouldve called some strikes that i didnt, BUT as you said, NOT to that degree

 

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You have to love all of the people who post that they have umpired before , I wonder at what level you have umpired?

It is like telling a umpire that you can call the corners from the dugout , give me a break. WHAT A JOKE , TYPICAL SUMMER BALL ATTITUDES . PRICELESS !!!!!!!

 

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who r u refering to cahrliefp about at what level one of us has umpired at.

 

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sorry about the miss type. charliefp

 

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charliefp the capital letters are impressive. ? no i have not umped any college games or any womens professional games but have a little experience. ? and the tone of your post seems just like that of the umpire we had at the wave tourney. ?he got defensive because he forgot to call the pitch on a fake bunt, ? two times. ? you don't have to be an umpiring expert to see that some umpires are terrible and that some are great. ? i don't fault an umpire for making a mistake, no one is perfect but the consitently bad ump, ?with an attitude, ? is not good for the game, ?and you don't have to be a black belt umpire to see that.

?

 

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I agree that not all umpires are equal in there abilities,but the sad fact is that there is becoming fewer people willing to umpire at the high school level today. If you look at the OHSAA list in my county and the surrounding area you will see that the bulk of these officials are above the age of 50. Many of them are 60 to 65 years old. Most of these same very experienced guys refuse to do summer travel ball because of the total lack of control and respect that has become common place today. I do not pretend to have all of the answers but I do know that the problems that we are talking about are frustrating for all of the people involved at any event ( coaches , fans and officials ) . I really believe that everyone needs to take a step back and remember that we are all doing these events for the kids , not ourselves. Just my humble opinion.

Hopefully I did not ramble to much.

 

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Charliefp what do you see as a possible solution? Do you think a money incentive for the larger tourneys would work? Just curious you sound very knowledgeable about the game.Tell me would it get you out of the garden or off the golf course and on the field in the summer? We have played several tourneys this year and the ASA UMPS have been very challenged by the game. I think that?s a nice way to put it? It has to get better because it can?t get opps I take that back it can get worst so strike that

 

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I would think that a pay insentive might make the ump take the spotlight off the kids and on himself. And OMG how would that set off the fans and coaches. All tournaments and High Schools pay different prices, so the money is not what I am after. I see a lot of the girls in the schools districts that I have daily contacts with and then seeing them on the fields gives them an ump that they know and are not afraid to talk to during the game. Let the girls determine the outcome of a game. If anyone is coming to the Heart Of Ohio Tournament this Holiday weekend, hopefully you will have a good weekend.