2011 Softball

1. 2011 Softball

2. SoftballItems for Review • Softball State Series • 2011 FHSAA Softball Finals • Status of Softball Evaluation Program • Softball Official’s Uniform • Officials Recommendation Forms • Softball Field Clinics in 2012 • Softball Exam Schedule • Questions, Comments or Suggestions

3. Softball State Series • Congratulations! This year’s State Series were fantastic! • Overall, Officials that were assigned did a great job! • Nearly every official and assigned crew ranked a 4.0 or higher within their evaluation • Reminder – Officials/Associations who are not following NFHS Softball Rules are doing a disservice to the players, the game and other officials. • Please be sure to call everything as noted in the NFHS Softball Rules Book (Illegal Pitches)!

4. 2011 Softball Finals A Special Thanks to Florida Professional Officials Association for their assistance during the 2011 Softball Finals in Clermont.

5. Status of Softball Evaluation Program • Evaluations continue to improve • Overall, the positive feedback has been helpful to both the FHSAA and officials • Past evaluations are being used for State Final Assignments • State Final Assignments will be getting tougher to obtain as state evaluations will continue to be more of a determining factor within the assignment process. • Beginning with the 2012 season, Evaluations will no longer be offered at State Field Clinics. Evaluations will be done at “Evaluation Camps” in conjunction with actual tournaments. • An evaluation of 4.0 or higher will be the desired target for assigned officials and/or crews.

6. Officials Uniform • The FHSAA has teamed up with Honig’s to create new Officials Uniforms in various sports. • The sports of Football, Softball and Volleyball will all begin to move in the direction of new uniforms to generate funding in order to implement enhanced evaluation and training programs. • Beginning with the 2011-12 season, State Series Softball Officials will be required to wear the new uniform shirt at State Series Events. • The current uniform will be sufficient for all regular season contests. • The new uniform will consist of a powder blue shirt with navy and white trim. A smaller FHSAA shield patch will be on the left chest and an FHSAA acronym patch will be on the right sleeve. • The new uniform shirt has been approved for use during regular season baseball contests for officials who work both sports.

7. Officials Recommendation Forms • Be sure to list alternate officials/crews if available • Officials that do not meet the requirements, but are included, must have the reasons noted in the comment section. “Didn’t attend Field Clinic” is not acceptable… I need to know WHY the individual didn’t make it to a clinic! • It is important to list crews by ability , not by experience or because they have not been to that level before (i.e. their turn)! Remember – officials need to be recommended by ability, especially in the later rounds. I.e., State Semifinal/State Final Crew #1 should be the BEST 3 officials in your Association based on ABILITY. • Associations who are not recommending crews by ability, will not receive assignments. • Some Associations have received assignments EVERY year and in order to give every worthy Association a chance, there are a few Associations that may not get an assignment in a given year. • It is the assignors goal to put the best officials on the field as our student-athletes only deserve the best!

8. 2012 Softball Field Clinics Charlotte County Officials Association Date: Fri Jan 13th, 2012 - Sat Jan 14th, 2012 Site: TBA Phone: (941) 628-1257 Contact Name: Keith McDonough Email: keithmcdonough@embarqmail.com Clinicians: Bob Campos, Don Schaible, Keith McDonough, Dennis Murphy Mid Coast Officials Association Date: Fri Jan 13th, 2012 - Sat Jan 14th, 2012 Site: Melbourne High School Phone: (321) 728-8744 Contact Name: Bill Schmid Email: bls137@aol.com Clinicians: George Phillips, Robert Goldberg Okaloosa Walton Officials Association Date: Fri Jan 13th, 2012 - Sat Jan 14th, 2012 Site: Niceville High School Phone: (850) 830-4961 Contact Name: John Gordon Email: dianegamblegordon@cox.net Clinicians: Darnell Watson, Jimmy Black, Chris Biechlin, Larry Warrenfeltz, Mario Molina, Bob Farroll West Florida Fast-Pitch Umpires Association Date: Sat Jan 21st, 2012 Site: Miss Sarasota Softball Field Phone: (941) 981-3709 Contact Name: Henry Sheldon Email: wffpua-secy@earthlink.net Clinicians: TBA Evaluations will no longer be offered at Softball Field Clinics. We will be adding Evaluation Camps beginning with the 2011-12 season.

9. 2012 Softball Exam Schedule • Online Open Book Exam • January 27th – February 1st • Online Closed Book Exam • February 9 – February 20th • Online Make-Up Exam • February 24th – February 2 • Online Rules Presentation • January 30th – February 11th • This leaves a 3-day window for officials who want to view the Rules Presentation prior to taking the online open book exam • This schedule provides the opportunity for all officials to be tested and to post a score prior to pre-season classics.

10. Questions, Comments or Suggestions?

11. Congratulations and Good Luck Congratulations on a Great Year and Good Luck during the upcoming season. Enjoy your summer!

12. Photos Provided By: Bryn-Alan Photography Glossy Finish Photos …and Rex’s Mom!