Rumor Control: ASA Backdoor Tactics

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One of my coaches just completed his ACE Certification... he has coached close to 20 years as a high school and travel ball coach. His team won the RIP It Tournament this past Fall at 16U.
I asked his opinion of the program. He spoke very highly of it and thought it would be really great for a newer coach but it was also very good for the experienced coach.
They provided an ACE Certification Certificate for him for proof.

 

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I just completed as well. My question though is do you have to do this each year?

 

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I have an issue with the fact that I completed my level I & II prior to the whole computerization of the program and now there seems to be no record of it other than the certificates I received at the classes I attended. The Metro Cleveland ASA started having classes for this about 5 years ago. Do I have to go through the lower level classes again or am I good to test for level III? And how do I get the website updated to allow me to go directly to level 3? I have emailed the program director several times and have not received a response.

 

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No it does not have to completed each year.
NOt sure THE3dm.... maybe contact the Metro Commissioner....

 

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It would seem that objections to these requirements are likely to be too little too late. 10 years ago I was asked to coach a club volleyball team and they had a course that was about how to coach etc. that was required. Not really about the basics of the game, but appropriate behavior and how to avoid problems. Not quite 20 years ago, I volunteered to become an advisor for a 4-H program and had to submit an application and have a background check. I did not have to pay for it, but it was still required. This train has been gathering steam for a long time now, it is going to be tough to stop.

 

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I just completed as well. My question though is do you have to do this each year?

From the ACE website (rules and regulations):

The ACE Online account will be active for two years following a completed certification. If a coach does not complete a certification in two full calendar years following his or her most recent certification, the coach's online ACE Account will be considered inactive and the coach will have to restart the certification process at Level 1 in future years.

 

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I was told the same thing this morning by Eli Pagiel (ACE program administrator). Since my certifications were done more than two years ago I have to start from scratch. This alone leads me to believe that this is only about the $$. When I took the classes there were time requirements that you needed to complete before you could take the next level course/test, but never anything about it expiring.

These are basic knowledge courses, this kind of stuff doesn't get outdated in two years. Back ground checks I agree with and ensuring that the coaches receive some kind of training is beneficial. With the limited overhead cost of this program now that it is all online, ASA should be offering it for free as a service to the softball community. This would breed good will and go a long way in justifying many of the other costs associated with ASA. How can they justify making a coach pay $25 a year to coach.

 

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Is A$S just the same as N$A makes you wonder????????

 

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In close to 20 years that I have been involved in softball, the most obvious problem with this sport and I imagine other ones is the lack of knowledge of coaches. Too many coaches believe that they are babysitters instead of teachers of the game. If it cost $25.00 for the first 2 years, $20 for the next two years and so on, I think it boils down to about $65.00 in a 6 year period. If you have 12 girls on your roster each year it averages less than $1.00 per girl per year to get a coach with more knowledge. Find me a parent who is not willing to pay the extra buck and I will find you someone who should not be a parent.
Come on guys, it doesn't have to come out of your pocket. It is just one more expense like softballs, uniforms, tournaments, etc.
Even if you are beyond the knowledge that ACE Certification provides, it still provides it to your opponents which may make your opponents a better team which we all look for great competition.
If the guys that run the tournaments are really in it for the girls, then why not offer to reimburse the winning coach the cost of certification??

 

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Once again I will ask. What is the written reference that requires this? I have heard of a December Board of Directors meeting and I have heard that so & so says this but where is the written reference?

I'm from Missouri so you're gonna have to "Show Me". (not really, but it sounds cool)

 

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Wizards,

That is a great idea, to reimburse the winnings coaches for their ACE certification.

If it is truly about the girls and the betterment of the game, why no warning that this mandate was coming and why not make it free? It costs ASA practically nothing to maintain the program site and certification DB. When they used the paper manuals and sent the instructor out to hold classes, issued a paper certificate & ID card the cost was justified, now it is not. And it's not that it is a lot of money, simply tired of everyone putting their hand in my pocket and nickle & diming me to death.

Even more disturbing to me is that the ACE demo shows that you can start at level 1 and attain a level 3 certification within 6 months. What do these levels even mean anymore. When I took the level 1 & 2 classes several years ago you had to wait one year between levels and put into practice what you had learned, each level was built on the previous.

 

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3DM, good questions........I will pass this on to the people that may be able to answer it.
I have found out that things that are "free" are considered less valuable.... maybe this is the reason. Then again, someone has to developed the program and maintain it.... there should be some cost and we need feedback to give back to them to polish it up. I do know that this is not new on the West coast.

 

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Hey, Wizards.. old man Honaker has not passed on ? Isn't his son named Howard as well ? I thought he had passed on, but not the son.

I always liked him.. and still do if he is still around....lol... My dealings with him was that he was a straight shooter...from the hip. I know some are upset about the places he held events due to favors... but I personally liked him for being a straight shooter and loving this game we call softball.. whether it was mens, womens, co-ed, or youth. He loved the game.

 

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Okay, like a bulldog after a bone, I have finally gotten the written reference. I called ASA HQ in OKC and left a message with Rick Chome, Director of JO Softball. He returned my call the next day and he confirmed that yes indeed, ACE Certification was required by at least 1 coach for teams competing in ASA Championship Play. He didn't have the reference with him but he emailed me the reference today.

Bill,
Here is a portion of the ASA Board of Directors minutes from 11-15-08. It looks as if it was a policy change set forth by the BOD.
Rick

c. ACE/Background Checks

Policy Directive: Direct the President to send a letter on behalf of the Board of Directors a directive to the commissioners that their Championship Rosters must comply with the Board's Policy Procedure on ACE/Background Checks:

"Each 2009 JO Championship Play team must have one coach within the field of play/dugout be ACE Certified, which includes a background check, in order to participate in Championship Play. It is highly recommended that all coaches associated with JO Teams complete the ACE Certification program, which includes a background check, in 2009".

For those commissioners who do not comply with the Board's Policy will be held accountable and will answer to the Board of Directors.

I am happy now.