2011 Softball

Softball Items 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

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)!

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

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.

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 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.

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!

2012 Softball Field Clinics Charlotte County Officials Association Date: Fri Jan 13th, Sat Jan 14th, 2012 Site: TBA Phone: (941) Contact Name: Keith McDonough Clinicians: Bob Campos, Don Schaible, Keith McDonough, Dennis Murphy Mid Coast Officials Association Date: Fri Jan 13th, Sat Jan 14th, 2012 Site: Melbourne High School Phone: (321) Contact Name: Bill Schmid Clinicians: George Phillips, Robert Goldberg Okaloosa Walton Officials Association Date: Fri Jan 13th, Sat Jan 14th, 2012 Site: Niceville High School Phone: (850) Contact Name: John Gordon 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) Contact Name: Henry Sheldon Clinicians: TBA Evaluations will no longer be offered at Softball Field Clinics. We will be adding Evaluation Camps beginning with the season.

2012 Softball Exam Schedule Online Open Book Exam –January 27 th – February 1 st Online Closed Book Exam –February 9 – February 20 th Online Make-Up Exam –February 24 th – February 2 Online Rules Presentation –January 30 th – February 11 th –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.

Questions, Comments or Suggestions?

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

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