|
Softball! What a
great game. Many who play are bitten by the bug and it remains a major
part of them for life. It did for me over 30 years ago. As I came to the
twilight of my playing days, I was bitten by another bug that is a major
component of our game. Umpiring. I can only hope that as our older
players come to realize that their playing days are numbered, that they
will make the same decision I did 10 years ago. Not wanting to leave the
game that I loved, I decided to give back to the game by becoming an
umpire. I am so glad that I did. I have found umpiring, as others have
before me, to be a major source of satisfaction. There is nothing quite
like the feeling and knowledge of having control of a game and bringing it
to a fair, natural and safe conclusion. What a sense of accomplishment!
Umpiring, like
the game, attracts a wide spectrum of people from all walks of life.
Male/female; young/old; professionals/blue collar. The things that they
have in common are their love of the game, a willingness to give back and
the satisfaction of doing a good, solid, fair job. Good umpires get the
same satisfaction from hustling to the right position and making a
powerful call on a close play, as players do in making that great back
handed scoop and long throw across the diamond to nip the runner at first.
Umpiring also offers a wide range of opportunities. One could chose to
work slow pitch, fast pitch, modified in either boys, girls, men or
women's divisions of play. They can choose to work for any number of
sanctioning softball associations. ASA umpires can choose to work
recreational leagues, tournament travel ball, High School, College,
Nationals and if they qualify, at the very elite International level.
Softball is played everyday, somewhere. The opportunities to work are
numerous and even though umpiring is considered to be for most, an
avocation, it can make a good source of secondary income.
There is
however, a shortage of umpires. We are always looking for new umpires
willing to learn and to give the best they can. ASA umpires have access
to some of the best training in the world. Umpiring clinics are run
throughout the year at the local, regional and national levels. A wide
variety of training methods are used from on field drills to classroom
discussion; videos and other audio visual aids are incorporated and of
course, to measure your levels of competency, evaluation and testing
methods are employed.
I hope to see
you on the diamond and that you will continue to have a long, rewarding
experience with our game of softball. My wife and I have been to many
interesting places and developed many lasting relationships around the
country thanks to this game. Be sure to visit (Web Pages) for listings of
local parks, umpire associations and contacts that can help you become
part of the dynamic world of umpiring.
Yours in
softball,
Matt Dunbar
South Florida ASA
Umpire in Chief |
