Welcome!
To the A.S.A. Men’s Masters 50 & Over Fast Pitch
National Championship
Tucson, Arizona
6-9 July 2000
Congratulations!
On your selection to umpire this National Tournament
Tourney Web Page: http://www.LPL.arizona.edu/~umpire/softball/mfp50plus.html.
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I am your Umpire
Coordinator: |
Your Umpire-In-Chief is: |
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Bob Marcialis 5550 N. María Drive Tucson, AZ 85704-5924 520-293-7399 Home 520-621-4933 FAX umpire@LPL.arizona.edu http://www.LPL.arizona.edu/~umpire |
Len Friedlund 5982 W. Gail Drive Chandler, AZ 85226-1234 480-940-7515 Home 480-940-7555 FAX lfriedlund@aol.com |
I am looking forward to meeting the three of you I do not already know,
and to working with all of you. I recognize that only about 2% of ASA’s 58,000
umpires are selected to work National Tournaments. This is an honor for you. I
am always proud to work with some of the best umpires in the country and am
committed to making this an exciting, challenging, and rewarding event for
you. You are an integral part of this
championship. I will do all I can to ensure that your only concern will be to
umpire. Len will do all he can to ensure you know what is expected of you as an
umpire. We want this to be a fulfilling and memorable experience for you.
You probably have heard horror stories about how hot summers are in
Tucson. Well, they are all true. Those of us who live here in the Stinking
Desert have learned a few survival tricks over the years, and if you follow
these tricks, the heat will pose no problems whatsoever. When in Rome…
Seriously:
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It will be Temperatures around 100°F. Yes, it’s a dry heat. So is your oven! You
should come prepared, and well before the tournament is the time to start
preparing. |
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Drink 2-4
quarts of water a day so your body is well-hydrated when you arrive.
Drink lots of
water & sports drinks (which will always be available) while you are here.
Drink even if
you are not thirsty. Start to “camel up” when you wake up in the morning.
Eat properly.
A good breakfast is important: it takes a lot of energy for the body to sweat
and keep itself cool during the day. Eat small snacks throughout the day.
Bring extra
uniforms…even though sweat-drenched clothing will air-dry in 10 minutes.
Bring cool,
light-colored, loose-fitting clothing for between games.
Bring
sunblock.
Wear a hat
when not working, and stay in the shade.
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The following information is to facilitate your
preparation for this event.. |
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Travel
Tournament dates
are: Thursday 6 July –Sunday 9 July 2000.
Out-of-town
umpires should plan to arrive in Tucson the morning or afternoon of Wednesday 5
July.
In-town umpires
must be available by 6 pm, Wednesday 5 July, at the Holiday Inn Express.
If flying, plan
to arrive at Tucson International Airport.
If you are an
At-Large umpire (and not just a LARGE umpire), make your flight travel
arrangements through ASA Travel Services at 1-800-972-3074.
If you are a
Host or Host Exchange umpire you may make any travel arrangements you wish; you
are responsible for payment.
You will be met
in the airport at the gate by an
ASA representative wearing ASA apparel. Look
for the white ASA hat and a sign with your name on it.
If you are an
At-Large umpire and are driving to Tucson, use the enclosed map and keep a log
of your mileage. If you are a Host or Host Exchange umpire, you do not need to
keep track of your mileage.
It is not
necessary for any umpire to rent a car. Rides will be provided for
out-of-towners.
The last game of
the Championship is scheduled for Saturday night, 8 July. However, as the first
week in July is generally when our
“monsoon”
starts, we are holding Sunday in
reserve in case of afternoon or evening deluges. Make your departure
arrangements accordingly.
Hotel: Holiday
Inn Express, 750 W. Starr Pass Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85713-1405. Telephone:
520-624-4455. Santa Rita Park is one mile due east of the hotel, at 22nd
St. and 4th Ave.
The hotel will
be paid for by the tournament. You do not need to pay for your room and wait to
get reimbursed. Check in 3 pm. Check out 12 noon.
Umpires not
rooming with another umpire are responsible for one-half of their room cost.
The cost of half a room is $23.50 a night, plus tax. This expense can be
deducted from your tournament paycheck at the end of the tournament.
All umpires are
responsible for any incidental charges to their room (long distance phone
calls, dry cleaning, etc.). There is no charge for local calls.
Washers and
dryers are available, as are irons and ironing boards. Dry cleaning service is
available, even if I have to tote your laundry myself.
All rooms have
Cable TV, an in-room safe, complimentary continental breakfast.
There is a pool,
spa, and sauna.
The hotel has FAX, copier, and computer hookups. If you have more
advanced digital needs during the week, see the Umpire Coordinator.
The Fields
All games will
be played at Santa Rita Park, a 2-field complex in South Tucson.
Umpires will
park in the lot between the two fields. Access from 22nd St. will be
blocked; approach the lot from the north (21st St.). An RV will be
available for changing/stowing gear/post-game debriefing/hanging out between
games.
Water, sports
drinks, fruit, and snacks will be available at the RV.
There are
several GREAT Mexican restaurants within a mile of the ball fields.
The Games
Games are
scheduled to be played in morning and evening sessions.
First game is
Thursday morning at 8 or 9 am.
You will work
one game on and one game off whenever possible.
All assignments
will be made by the UIC & issued before the next session or day.
Agenda
Managers’ dinner
at 6 pm Wednesday.
Draw follows at
7 pm.
Umpire meeting
follows. Plan on the clinic lasting until 11 pm.
Dress for the
meeting is casual/professional (Golf shirts & Dockers). No clown shoes,
Mike.
There will be no
Opening Ceremonies.
Umpire staff
picture: Before the first game of the tournament, 9:00 a.m. sharp at the
ballpark. Dress for picture is full
umpire uniform. Then we will walk the fields to develop consistent ground
rules.
The umpire party
is planned for between sessions on Saturday.
Enclosures
Umpire staff
roster
Map of the
ballpark/hotel area
Information form
to be completed and returned to Bob immediately (At-Large umpires only; I know
the rest of you knuckleheads).
Tournament
Director, Herb Wisdom, and the Tucson Parks & Recreation Department are
making a tremendous effort to ensure that this event is a very special one. I
am striving to do likewise on your behalf. We will be sure to see that you have
water and wet towels between innings.
Please
contact me if you have any questions, problems, or need additional information.
If you have Internet capability, check out the Web Site I have set up for the
umpires: there may be updates. I also will link a checklist of things I always
make sure I have when I travel to a National Tournament. Over the years I have
found it to be pretty complete.
Between
now and the tournament, work as much of the best ball you can. Volunteer to
work as a 3rd umpire when you can. Read up on the three-man system of
umpiring. Read through the rulebook one more time. We’ll see you in Tucson and
let’s have a great time!
