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Metro Richmond Officiating Service
President’s Corner
May 29, 2008
WOW, the season’s just about over!
This has been one heck of a softball season. After almost
40 years of officiating I thought I had seen and heard everything. But I guess
that with every game something strange can happen. We have had crazy
plays, nutty calls, some missed no calls, and the list goes on and on.
From the coaches complaining to the coaches singing praise about our officials,
we have had both ends of the spectrum this season. With all the
complaints, whining, ‘he/she got better/more games than I got’, to the personal
agendas of a few people, it has been a true test of will for MROS to complete
this year with our usual success.
Now that the season in nearly completed (all that is left
are a couple regional games and five state assignments), we (the Executive Board)
will be meeting quite often during the off-season to work out the
problems/situations encountered over the past couple years. Please
continue to communicate with your designated Member-at-Large to bring forth suggestions
for improvement. Relaying problems are okay, but then please offer a solution
for that problem. The Board will work very hard between now and next
spring to make next year a better one for all.
We ask each umpire to reflect on his/her past season: Did
I do the best job possible for MROS and myself? Am I as good as I think I
am? What can/should I do to improve my umpiring skills in order to move up to
the next level? Did I seek advice from someone I respect (Big Brother or
Mentor)? Did I help my Little Brother/Sister develop into a better umpire? NONE
of us are as good as we think, so we must strive to improve every game, every
time we walk on the field, and be willing to watch, listen and receive
assistance when offered.
All in all we have had a good season. We have learned
a lot about the people we work with: mostly good things but some not so good.
This information will be used to improve our association. We need more members
who wish to serve MROS in some capacity to step up to the plate and run for an
office or serve on a committee. The more people we have involved, the
better and stronger the organization will be.
We all realize that it takes hard work and dedication to
have a smoothly run organization. MROS will only be as strong as the
support provided by the membership.
Our strongest asset is having the best softball umpires in
the state. To maintain our position at the top, we need to RECRUIT and
RETAIN more umpires, better train the members we have, and let go the officials
that aren’t up to our high standards. Let’s be determined to accomplish
these goals next year.
As a final reminder, we have the MROS awards banquet
coming up on June 30th. This will be a time to relax and enjoy
the end of the high school season with our fellow fraternity brothers and
sisters, eat some good food, and get PAID. If
you haven’t already signed up for the banquet, please do ASAP by contacting Pat
Maloney. Also, THERE WILL BE NO BUSINESS
DISCUSSED AT THE BANQUET!
Leave the complaints, gripes, money questions, and all other negative comments at
the door.
Thanks for your support for the MROS Board and to MROS.
Tom Dent
President
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