GENERAL INFORMATION
Softball Loses Umpiring Leader
PLANT CITY, FLORIDA -- It is with great sadness that the International Softball Federation (ISF) reports the passing of its Director of Umpires, Merle Butler. The longtime leader of the world governing body’s umpiring program died suddenly yesterday at his home in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was 72 years old.
Pictures
View photos of the 2009 UIC Clinic in Oklahoma City, OK:
View action photos of the tournments for the 2007 season:
View action photos of the tournments for the 2006 season:
"TheArbiter" Now In Use
If you are a registered umpire for SoCAL ASA you should have access to "thearbiter" to input your schedule availability for championship tournaments. In addition, you will find useful updates, information, and forms also available there.
For the 2009 season, registered umpires will be input into the arbiter NLT April 1st. If your email address was incorrect the arbiter will not work. If you do not get the "Welcome Message" by the 1st of April please contact Rick Cowan at: rcowan@baxglobal.com
If you have not yet logged into "thearbiter" please do so immediately. If you do not have access and cannot locate your e-mail welcome message please contact the Umpire Site Webmaster and a new welcome message will be sent with your access information.
Log into THEARBITER now.
SoCal ASA "Districts"
There are seven districts in Southern California to support umpire development.
These districts are broken down by geographic region. There will be the creation of an 8th district, the NorthEastearn District that will pull from both the Northern District and the Eastern District.
Those districts are:
Northern District - Central District - Eastern District - Western District -
LA Southbay District - South San Diego District - North San Diego District
WHAT IS SoCAL ASA
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AMATEUR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION
The Southern California Amateur Softball Association (SoCal ASA) is an affiliate of the ASA/USA Softball, the National Governing Body (NGB) of amateur softball in the United States. The responsibilities of SoCal ASA include the regulation of competition, and the assurance of fairness and equal opportunity to all who participate in ASA-USA Softball within Southern California.
SoCal ASA is a non-government, non-partisan and non-profit organization that is staffed by volunteers who are dedicated to the advancement of softball at all levels of play. SoCal ASA accepts any person that qualifies as an amateur, regardless of sex, color, creed or national origin. Through the dedicated efforts of the commissioner and his staff, Southern California has one of the best softball programs in the United States.
HOW THE SOCAL ASA OPERATES
The SoCal ASA program is coordinated and administered by a Commissioner (Phil Gutierrez) who is appointed by ASA-USA Softball. The commissioner is responsible for appointing an umpire-in-chief (UIC), a youth commissioner (JO), player representatives, and any other appointment necessary to administer the program. With the approval of the Commissioner, the JO Commissioner is responsible for appointing District Commissioners and Assistant District Commissioners and the SoCal UIC is responsible for appointing Deputy UICs, District UICs, and any assistants that are necessary. The SoCal UIC is Ms. Christina Drumm.
Umpires have the opportunity to join the SoCal ASA through membership in the ASA-USA Softball Umpire Program that provides many benefits. Individuals wishing to become ASA-USA Softball umpires register through the state UIC, deputy UIC (SP) or the district UICs.
UMPIRE PROGRAM
Each year nearly 1500 umpires register and nearly 500 umpires certify in Southern California. Ms. Christina Drumm , the SoCal UIC is responsible for developing the best umpires possible for the teams that play softball under the ASA-USA Softball banner. Through the dedication and efforts of the state UIC and his staff, the SoCal ASA umpire-training program is second to none and produces some of the finest umpires in the world. The formal training includes the National Umpire Schools, regional rules and mechanics clinics, as well as SoCal ASA rules clinics and mechanics clinics.
Registered ASA-USA Softball umpires have the opportunity to become “tournament certified” and participate in championship play. Certification is accomplished by attending an annual rules clinic, usually held the first weekend in February, attending one of several mechanics clinics, and attaining a passing grade on the annual ASA umpire exam. The umpire exam is administered at the mechanics clinics and is issued as a take-home exam on alternating years. Once a year, usually during April, the UIC staff meets to assign certified umpires to championship tournaments. Contracts are then mailed to those umpires selected to umpire in championship competition.
SoCal ASA umpires are ones of pride gained through the training program, the uniform they wear, the assignments received at the local level, state and national level, and the recognition received during their career. Each is important to the umpire program. As each game is conducted, the umpire has the responsibility to administer the game in accordance with the ASA guidelines. The goal of the SoCal ASA Umpire Program is to provide each umpire with an opportunity to be successful in completing this responsibility and to help the umpire reach his or her personal goals.
Within each District are independent local umpire associations that hold meetings, host refresher clinics, and provide umpiring services to local leagues. Local associations offer its members an opportunity to build camaraderie and to “stay sharp” on the latest techniques, rule interpretations, field mechanics, umpiring philosophies and game management year round. Ask your District UIC for information on a local association near you!