2000 Arizona Interscholastic Association

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Tucson Softball Umpires Association

Jim Markert a1assigner@aol.com
7143 E. 30th St., Tucson, AZ   85710
Telephone/FAX: 733-6131

Members' Telephone & E-Mail Directory

PLEASE contact your partner a day or two in advance of your games. Be sure to discuss when & where to meet, what shirts will be worn, and at which school the game is to be played. A telephone call is best, but an email a few days in advance works, too. This is especially important for out-of-town games. Members' Directory

Approved Bats for 2000:

The Federation has adopted ASA's new bat rule. Joe Robinson will give all members a nice new bat ring. Please check out the latest list of approved bats. It gets updated roughly once a week, usually on Mondays or Tuesdays. Last update: 7/20/2000. For information on enforcement of the bat rule, see the minutes of the 06 March meeting.

Stupid Coach Quotes Stupid Fan Quotes

“Ooohhhhh!! Throw it again and see if he was kidding!!!”
-Pima Coach to pitcher

“I've seen better eyes on a potato!”
-Fan at U of A Softball game

Fan: “Why does that ump keep looking over here??”
Coach: “Because he wants me.”
-Overheard at Eastern Arizona College Softball game

Coach: “Time! Time! I want to appeal that the runner left third early!”
Umpire: “Time! Coach, the appeal has to come from an infielder.”
Pitcher: “Mrrmrmph!”
Umpire: “Safe!”
Coach: “Did you call her safe because I made the appeal???”
Umpire: “No, Coach…If I even accepted your appeal, the other Coach would win in a protest.”
Coach: “Gee, I guess I have a few things to learn about this game…”
-Overheard at recent Pima College Softball game

“C'mon Blue, call it both ways!!!”
-Parent of JO Player in TOP of first inning

“How can he call her out? I cannot see the play from here [the first base bleachers],
but I am sure the ump cannot see the play either [from 10 feet behind third base].”
-Suburban Community College Fan

Coach: “You've GOT to call that!! The rulebook says…”
Umpire: “Yeah, but the rulebook also says the strike zone is from the knees to the armpits. Is THAT the zone you want???”
Coach: “Well, if you're going to start using logic, then this conversation is over…”
Umpire: “Um…”

Meeting Schedule:

Meetings are held on Monday evenings at the Rincon High School Library, 422 N. Arcadia Ave., except as noted.

  Minutes from past meetings can be obtained by clicking on the date desired.

  Minutes from past meetings can be obtained by clicking on the date desired.

Other Softball Links of Interest

 Red Shirt Policy Overwhelmingly Decried as Unfair

Phoenix's requirement that State Playoff umpires wear new red pullovers is condemned by the great majority of Tucson umpires selected. It is unfair that we were informed of this policy only after State Playoff assignments were accepted by our umpires. For details, see the minutes of the May 01 meeting.

AIA Softball 2000: It's Not Over Yet!

Softball umpires statewide are incensed over the methods and policies implemented Mr. Reigar. The “red shirt” incident is really just the tip of the iceberg. Phoenix (Region II) umpires are gathering for a meeting on Thursday night at 6 p.m. to consolidate gripes and decide on a course of action.

Some of the gripes certain to be discussed are as follows:

• Reigar's use of baseball umpires in the State softball playoffs. The baseball officials have not worked the minimum number of softball games to be eligible for post-season play.
• The extreme deficit of Tucson umpires in tbe State finals. The only State Championship game to use a Tucson official was the IA game. We are neither being represented in proportion to our numbers nor to our abilities.
• Specific instances where Reigar has circumvented AIA rules and bylaws.
• The long delay between working a game for TUSD schools and when the paycheck is received. The AIA Handbook states that officials are to be paid at the game site. Many of us in Tucson are getting tired of having to call the school weeks after the contest to get paid.

People, the situation here is serious. The Phoenix umpires are mad enough that they are considering a case of “blue flu” next season unless their concerns are addressed. We need to stay in tune with what they are proposing, and give them input to our own specific objections to the status quo.

The email exchanges regarding this situation are being archived. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the course of events.

Meeting Redux

Phoenix umpires' gripes overlap with ours, but each Association has some unique concerns, as well. The biggest Phoenix gripes had to do with Reigar meddling in the affairs of umpire assignments and evaluations, and flat-out disregard of AIA Code in executing post-season selection and playoffs. Apparently in Phoenix, the umpires' association has little input regarding evaluation of officials (Reigar, in his infinite widsom, makes the calls).

A copy of this letter has been received by fax, thanks to Rich Raymond, and is posted on line for evaluation by our members. Tucson gripes include the red shirt fiasco, lack of proportional representation in the post-season, and TUSD's violation of AIA Code calling for payment at the game site, before the first pitch of the game. Unfortunately the latter grievance did not make the letter.

 The Arizona Interscholastic Association now has a Web site.

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Last Modified: 2000 October 05