North Georgia Amateur Umpire Association

• NGAUA Home Page
•       ASA
•       ISA
•       USSSA
•       GHSA
• Our Board
• Park Rules
• Rule Highlights
• Tournaments
• Park Directions
• History
• By Laws
• Photos
• Training
• NGAUA Notes
• Honors
• Forms
• Links

• Contact Us

Metro Atlanta's BEST Softball Umpire Association!

NEWS...

Mandatory Meeting for High School Umpiring
All umpires planning or thinking of umpiring GHSA (high school) softball must attend a mandatory meeting on Sunday, June 28 at 4:00 p.m. at Lockheed Elementary School (in the gym at the back of the school).

Critical information regarding the upcoming season will be covered as well as information about school schedules, pay, tournaments, and post-season playoffs.

There are only two ways to get the REQUIRED RULES CLINIC. This will also be discussed at this June 28 meeting.

The STATE TEST date will also be set at this meeting.

Contact Bob Earwood at 678-567-9730 or bnlearwood@hotmail.com with any questions.

Bob Earwood 2009 GACA Official of the Year
Congratulations to NGAUA umpire Bob Earwood for being honored as 2009 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association's Official of the Year! Bob has been a sports official for over 45 years. In addition to serving as NGAUA's GHSA assigner, Bob rates high school officials in softball, baseball, football and basketball. Bob is the first NGAUA umpire and one of only a handful of Georgia softball umpires to receive this award.

Great Job Bob!

NGAUA Umpire inducted to Cherokee Co Parks Youth Classic HOF
Congratulations to NGAUA umpire and Board Member Lamar Meers for being inducted into the Cherokee Co Parks Youth Classic Hall of Fame. Lamar is one of four inductees to go into the Hall in 2009 and he is only the third umpire in 20 year to be bestoyed with this honor. Lamar has serviced CRPA for 20 years.

NGAUA umpire and board member Bobby Streetmon was also nominated for the award. Bobby has serviced CRPA for 15 years. CRPA only takes nominations for this award every five years.

Congratulations to Lamar and Bobby! All of NGAUA is proud of you!

Bookings Moved to Wednesdays -- Permanently
Due to the continuing scheduling issues, NGAUA's weekly phone booking is moving to WEDNESDAYS each week at 02:30 PM. No booking on Tuesdays from now on unless a temporary change is needed.

NGAUA Rainout Number
Not sure if your games are on because of the weather? Then call the NGAUA Rainout Number. Don't call Glenn! Glenn will be busy talking to the parks. He'll leave all the cancellation information on a recording that you may access by calling 770-443-2742.

This number also serves as the NGAUA fax line. So if the modem answers, that means there are no cancellations at this time. Also, never assume your game is canceled. Atlanta weather can be funny. It may be raining where you are and perfectly dry down the road at the park. Also, many of the parks we serve have excellent drainage and outstanding ground crews. So, make the call to the rainout number.

Updated 2009 Park Rules on 'Park Rules' Page
Knowing and enforcing the rules is a huge part of our job as umpires. Click on the Park Rules page and download the updated park/league rules before you head out to the ball field. Remember, park/league rules supersede  the national association rule book. If a rule is not published by the park/league, then the national rule book should be enforced.

What Rule Do They Play at That Park, Again?
Have you ever been on your way to a NGAUA park to umpire a league slow pitch game and can't remember some of the special league rules? ... Do they play with a 3-2 or 4-3 count? What's the time limit? Who keeps it? What is the run rule? Do they allow stealing at this park? Get the answers to all of these questions and more by downloading the 2009 NGAUA Slow Pitch League Rule Differences Matrix. You'll always be in the know.

Background Checks Mandatory and Eligibility Cards Must Be Signed
All NGAUA umpires must fill out a Background Check Form  and pass a background check to be eligible to join NGAUA each year. Please get your background check filled out and into the NGAUA board ASAP so you will be eligible to umpire on the field. After your check has been completed and passed, you must attend a meeting to SIGN for your eligibility card. They WON'T be mailed to you.

Be Up-To-Date on 2009 ASA Rule Changes
Georgia ASA Umpire-In-Chief, Jimmy Derrick went over the 2009 ASA Rule Changes at our opening meeting. Make sure to download these changes and learn them.

Park Addresses Now Posted For GPS/Web Directions
NGAUA now lists the Addresses For All Its Parks on NGAUA.com. This is a great reference sheet if you use a GPS device or a Web site for driving directions. This list will be available on the Park Directions page and the Forms page.

Twin Creeks Softball Complex Selected ASA Softball Complex of the Year
Congratulations to Cherokee Recreation and Parks Association for having Twin Creeks Softball Complex selected ASA Softball Complex of the Year. This prestigious award was presented at the 77th Annual ASA National Council Meeting in Oklahoma City, November 7-14. Congratulations again CRPA!

NGAUA Constitution Change Fails
The NGAUA membership voted on one possible NGAUA constitution change. at its meeting on January 11th. Only the first item (term of service for board members) was voted on (the second two items were tabled to a later meeting). The one item that was voted on failed to reach 2/3 majority of those in attendance, thus it did not pass. NGAUA board members will continue to be voted on for one year of service (no change).

ASA Rule and Code Changes
The ASA National Office has published its 2009 ASA Rule Changes. Changes to rules regarding charged conferences, dented bats and run limits are a few of the rules being changed in 2009. In addition, ASA has made modifications to the ASA Code

10 in '10 -- Georgia ASA to Host 10 National Tournaments in 2010
At the 77th Annual ASA National Council Meeting in Oklahoma City, Georgia ASA was awarded 10 ASA National Tournaments for 2010. Georgia will be hosting a combination of slow pitch and fast pitch tournaments for both J.O. and adult. the 2010 ASA National Tournaments in Georgia are as follows:

• Girls’ 10-U Slow Pitch – LaGrange, Ga.

• Girls’ 12-U Slow Pitch – LaGrange, Ga.

• Girls’ 14-U Slow Pitch – LaGrange, Ga.

• Girls’ 16-U Slow Pitch – LaGrange, Ga.

• Girls’ 18-U Slow Pitch – LaGrange, Ga.

• Girls’ 10-U Class A Fast Pitch Southern – Cumming, Ga.

• Girls’ 12-U Class B Fast Pitch Southern – Marietta-Powder Springs, Ga.

• Coed Major Slow Pitch – Columbus, Ga.

• Coed Class A Slow Pitch – Columbus, Ga.

• Coed Class B Slow Pitch – Columbus, Ga.

Georgia is hosting five ASA National Tournaments including the Girls' ASA/USA FP 14A in Cobb County. The lineup of ASA Nationals in Georgia are as follows:

• Girls' ASA/USA 14A FP - Marietta, GA
• Girls' ASA 16A FP, Southern - Columbus, GA
• Girls' ASA 12B  FP, Southern - LaGrange, GA
• Coed "A" SP - Cumming, GA
• Men's "C" SP Southern - Augusta, GA
• All 2009 ASA National Championships

Umpire Code of Ethics
ASA umpires are professional umpires. We get paid to umpire amateur athletes. As individual professionals, we have a responsibility to the players, fans, other umpires, our associations, ASA and ourselves to meet a high standard of professionalism both on and off the field. All Georgia ASA Umpires are expected to know and follow the Georgia ASA Umpire Code of Ethics. Georgia ASA takes this very seriously. Umpires not following this document may be brought in front of the Georgia ASA disciplinary committee and are subject to disciplinary action. Any questions regarding this code, please contact Jimmy Derrick.

New ASA Banned Bat List
Quick ... check the ASA banned bat list you bring to every game (you do bring a bat list to every game, right?!?) ... what's the date on it?  ASA updated the bat list at the end of February. Click on the Forms link on the left side of the page to get the up-to-the-minute ASA Banned Bat List. There is also a link to the up-to-the-minutes ASA Banned Bat List w/ Pictures so you'll know what the banned bats look like.

I Want to Be in Cyberspace
Have you achieved a new level in ASA Medals Program, or been honored into the NIF, ISF or ASA Elite programs? Did you work postseason in ISA, USSSA, ASA in GHSA in 2006 and don't see your name on NGAUA.com? Then let us know. Send an e-mail to our Webmaster and we'll get your name in Cyberspace.