Region 15 umpires
Let's start by saying that 2007 was a great year and 2008 looks like it could be better.
We are only a month or two from kicking this year off. Looks like a power packed year ahead
of us.
In 2008 there will be five National Tournaments in Region 15. We host the 14 B GFP in Salem,
16 A GFP in Portland, 18 A GFP in Seattle, the Senior Slow Pitch in Spokane and the Men's D
Slow Pitch in Seattle. There are plenty of National Championship Umpire assignments to work
for. The first step is to get in tip top shape.
Let's make 2008 the year to show ASA that the Northwest has the umpires to do this many
Nationals. In 2008 over one hundred umpires will AGAIN be working a National Championship
Tournament from our Region. Special thanks to those umpires who did such a great job last
year in Championship play!
Remember the Region 15 Clinic in Boise, February 7, 8, & 9. Kevin Ryan; ASA's National
Supervisor of Umpires will be the lead clinician. Deputy Supervisor for the Northern
Territories; Julie Johnson will be working with Kevin. These are the people who write the
ASA Rule Book so you're going to hear it literally from the horse's mouth. Joining Kevin and
Julie is Lori Bish, one of the top umpires in America to talk on how and what it takes to
reach your goals. Hot news, as a late addition there will be one more speaker in Boise,
Malcolm Boyles. If you have not heard, Malcolm is Kevin's new Deputy for the Western
Territories. We in Region 15 know what a great guy he is, now the rest of the country will
get to know. I think Malcolm's supposed to be my boss but I don't think that will happen.
If you have not met these speakers let's get to Boise. You will love all them. You will
have fun and learn something to. Call Gary McCarney at (208) 642-4675 and get registered today.
You'll be glad you did!
Let's talk about the rest of the year. We have Regional and State Tournaments for Adults and
JO's in every age group. Most important of all lets not forget our league games, they are
what makes ASA. Every Region 15 Umpire needs to be working league games. When we are there,
let's have some fun with the teams. If you don't want to work league games, you don't want to
work in a National Tournament. I'll tell you now that Malcolm Boyles works every game that
ASA has from CO ED to Men's Major. 2008 is the year that YOU step to the plate and work league
games. Remember that is where we all started.
The next thing is getting new umpires. Make time to recruit one new umpire this year. Bring
them in and help with their training. Watching them grow, you will have fun, and both of you
will become better umpires when training is over. Umps, we need umpires, so let's start today.
You know plenty of people who love softball and some of them are waiting to be asked to be an
umpire! If you've got one that you've asked already bring them to your next meeting. Remember
to talk about the fun times at the park when you're bringing a friend into umpiring. For all
in ASA let's make this fun for the new ones. Ask any of your friends who may be a player; ask
them to just come to one meeting. Don't forget we are the best salesmen that ASA has.
I will end with this by letting you know we train ninety eight percent of the softball umpires
in the USA. Thirty six thousand ASA umpires were trained last year. In 2008 there will be
even more. Don't ever forget where you started. It is still great to work back home!
Let me tell you it IS still fun to go on an eight hour road trip to Boise, or twelve hours to
Billings, or any other place where ASA umpires come together with eight or ten of your friends
from back home just to have some fun, see some old friends and meet some new ones and you will
learn something that will make you a better umpire too.
I'll end by saying see you later and have a great year!!
Thanks for all you do for ASA!
Wild Bill Silves
Region 15 UIC
ASA Bat/Ball Testing & Certification
Program
