NEWS

Welcome to the 2010 slow-pitch softball season.

The Mid-Illini Umpire Association has three new "rookie" umpires this year and we are excited to see their progression and development into high quality officials and representatives of this great game. Please assist them with their questions. Several of them have varying degrees of past experience, however, they may need assistance with ASA positioning or local rules. The MIUA will do what it can as an organization to facilitate their knowledge and confidence while performing their duties.

The MIUA will be well represented by our member umpires.

The MIUA has reserved a ticket for each member to the Normal Cornbelters Barnyard BBQ on Saturday, August 21st. The MIUA will have the ability to cover both the dinner and game ticket cost. Please reserve this date for fun at the new ballpark. We may enter the "corncrib" at 6:00 pm and will have all-you-can-eat until 7:30 including: hotdogs, burgers, bratwursts, ranch-style baked beans, pasta salad, cookies/brownies, pepsi products, etc. The game will begin at 7:00 pm, and our group will have reserved box seats behind home plate. The Cornbelters will play the Washington Wildthings that evening. Hope you all can make it to this event! This will take the place of our season ending Umpire Appreciation Party this year. Have a GREAT summer!

LEAGUES:

• BLOOMINGTON — Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri (Begins Week of May 3rd)
• NORMAL — Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu (Begins Week of April 25th)
• STATE FARM — Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu (Begins Week of May 3rd)

REVIEW

Topic: Calling Balls and Strikes

It is simple, when contact is not made, a pitch is called verbally a ball or a strike. You do not have to tell location unless you are asked. Beating the fists together to signal hitting the plate is not an ASA mechanic. Touching the shoulders to signal deep is not an ASA mechanic. Saying flat for an illegal pitch is not the correct verbal mechanic. Telling the location on every pitch shows you are unsure of your strike zone and is the sign of a rookie umpire. Ball or strike is all you need to say.

ASA's Non Approved Bats with pictures

ASA Rule Review

One-Man Umpiring System

Umpire Code of Ethics