BT_Blue

NASO is a great company. I was with them for many years but stopped and switched over to ABUA (who I have been with for the last 3 or 4 years) when NASO started doing assignor insurance that was included in the insurance package. However it increased the fee to almost $100 as opposed to $45 for ABUA for almost the same coverage. I recommend that you look into both. the advantage for NASO is referee magazine. I would LOVE to still get those and have subscribed to it again on my own. ABUA works with the Jim Evans Academy of Baseball Umpires among other companies. Just take a look at both and compare. Also ABUA is just baseball and softball. NASO is EVERYTHING (from baseball and football to volleyball and wrestling).

Dave, Im glad you didnt add the L to Tom HiLer. Talk about not the right way to get on his good side. LOL

Yeh, telling you to get back to your position is a personal attack and should be followed by the coach (this is an assistant who gets ZERO latitude) taking his position in his car for the rest of the game cause it sure as heck wont be on the field anymore.

Ive got a study group coming up on Monday night for the test and then Im going to take it again probably the weekend of the 7th. No games that weekend so why not right?

where in the world did this come from?

agreed, thats pretty damn funny!

Im looking forward to what Tom Hiler comes up with for the clinics next year as well as video training through out the year on ESO. I know Tom personally and if anyone can bring great training to us its him.

I agree. I just passed but barely. I got 82%! But I went back and looked at the ones I got wrong and still cant figure out where i went wrong. And I had my rulebook, my CCA manual, my notes from the NCAA clinic and the 2009 NCAA studyguide. And I still barely passed... but I did so B) LOL

I got lucky. I too am a former catcher but I was umpiring before I started catching so it wasnt to much of a problem.

I too dont plan on going to the HSM. I used it once and dont like how it felt in my hands. As for some of the up and coming players, I get the feeling we will still see the normal mask used in the future since some of the young catchers that would come over and have been using the HSM have also been wearing the normal mask and skull cap during AAU, AABC, Legion, etc.

Im going to watch what I can (have a JuCo game that starts at 11am pacific time) so hopefully Ill be home in time. As for who I want to win. Ill take the Cards. Who I think will win... the Steelers.

need i say more

No joke. As for the blimp ride, heck hey that would have been cool. I wish I could have gotten but good job for the guy that bought it for the buy it now price.:clap:

So in NCAA do we have to ask for help on a check swing or can we say "we got it" when we know the kid didnt offer? I have heard before that we are REQUIRED to ask.

actually, yes. I haven't seen snow in a while and I think the last time I was actually in snow was at least 15 years ago if not more. Sent me some... I can use it. have fun with your snow...:clap:

From what it sounds like, I think you might just be burnt out for the most part. How about taking a year away from being on the field. Sit back and just do the coordinator job for this year. Another thing is that you may be running into a problem of conflict of interest when you are on the field which is why you shy away from handling complaints when you are out there. You might not mean to but you may, in your mind, not want to cause to much of a problem cause you will have to deal with it both on the field (as the umpire) and off (as the umpire in chief). You may have to step away from one or the other for a year or so just to get your head screwed on straight again. Also, from an umpire point of view. If these people are bitching at you while you are working on the field your umpires will see that you do not take action and thusly will not, most likely, take action themselves when they are bitched at. As the UIC you must take charge both on the field and off in order to set an example for the boys and girls that work under you to follow. Hope that helps.

Man, I think I have everyone beat! Like I said, have my first game the last day of this month B) and game number two the first day of next month. How awesome is that?!?:P

Man I live in those Southern California areas you are talking about. However please dont group me in with them. Im a Giants fan thank you very much! All I can say is, have you ever driven in that traffic leaving Dodger Stadium. Interstate 5 is nuts and Highway 110 from downtown north to Pasadena was one of the FIRST highways EVER built in the US so to say its out dated would be the understatement of the century. Let me just say that I have had to hold back my gag reflex and attend a game at the hated Chavez Ravine I have showed up early or in time for the first pitch and didnt leave until the end of the game (with some very few exceptions). My thoughts are, like hell if Im going to pay $20 to sit in the bleachers or $15 for the nosebleeds and leave early before I get my fix.

So for us some what newbies we are all in the same group as John Kruk? :HD:

January 3rd when I went to the NCAA meeting in San Diego. OR, in literal terms... just over 12 hrs from the time of this post in my first plate game. Then next saturday I get to attend a scrimmage where a bunch of assignors and evaluators from the area will be and then officially start my regular season on the 31st. Hip hip... hurray!

:banghead:Just like a true catcher this is all I did. LOL I jumped around from position to position for a while but the last 5 years I played I was a catcher. I became one because I couldnt bring myself to pay attention to what was going on when I was a kid if I wasnt a catcher. Great move, taught me a bunch about the game and seeing the ball come in. Nice to know Im still doing pretty much the same thing... but different:smachhead:

I need your guys help. At the through out the day at the NCAA clinic in San Diego guys kept bringing up the seven times we can as for help. I either didnt get the chance or was just to scared to ask but what are they? Can you guys help me with figuring out what these three seven times are?

Awww man Jim. How come you had to put something up that isnt far from me at all? Now to see if I can scrounge up $250 that Im pretty sure I dont have! :HS

I wish he could have made the trip to San Diego. Would have been nice to meet him personally and buy my mask directly from him.

and it only took you the first play. Nice!