Georgia Blue Forum Back Up and Running after a brief hiatus.

• The Georgia Blue Forum, a great place for umpires to discuss everything softball, is back in business after being out of commission since early this year.  The goal of GBF is to promote the sport of softball throughout Georgia, and provide a link to different associations across the state.  Check it out at www.georgiablueforum.com!     

Eighth Annual "A Wish for Wendy" Tournament set at Alpharetta's North Park

• The "A Wish for Wendy" charity softball tournament is an annual event benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the fight against CF, a genetic disease affecting 30,000 children and young adults in the United States.  This year, it will be played on Saturday, November 3.  It's a 16 team, double elimination Coed tournament, and GUA is proud to be providing volunteer umpires for the day.  James Edlen will be organizing the umpires for the tournament.  If you are interested in volunteering, click here to contact James.  Click here for more about the tournament.

Zone 2 National Tournament Umpires Announced

• On June 28, Zone 2 UIC Tim Smith made public the list of umpires honored with a 2007 National Tournament.  Several GUA umpires made the list, including Rick Hearn, Dana Mason, Brett Mason, and Brooks McMillan.  For a full list of Zone 2 umpires, see the scrolling box to the left.

Brookwood All Star teams clean up at the Tri-County tournament

• Congratulations to the Brookwood Girls Major and Junior fastpitch softball teams on winning the Tri-County tournament!  The girls Major team made history by going UNDEFEATED (14-0) to win the South Gwinnett Classic, the Pre Tri-County, and Tri-County tournaments!  Click above for photos and details.

ASA rescinds batters box rule change.

• With a vote of 194 to 12, the ASA Council passed an Emergency Rule Change reverting the size of the batters box back to three feet by seven feet.  Click here for more details.

ASA website launches monthly Rules Clarifications and Case Plays

• Beginning with the March 2007 edition, the ASA National Office will be adding rules clarifications and ideas on how to judge some of the more "detailed" rules in the ASA rulebook.  They will also e posting case plays, along with rulings on these plays by members of the National Staff.  Click here to keep your rules knowledge up to date!

GUA well represented at the 2007 North Georgia Regional UIC Clinic at Emory

• Gwinnett Umpires Association was proud to have 25 of it's members attend the annual UIC clinic at Emory University on Saturday, January 27th.  Region 4 UIC Dick Gayler was the keynote speaker, reviewing the 2007 Rules and Mechanics changes.  GUA's own Rick Hearn was named District 22 Umpire of the year, and Randall West was named GUA's Regional Umpire of the Year.  GUA also had three members accepting induction into the National Indicator Fraternity this year.  Congrats to Matthew Aycock, Rick Hearn, and Brett Mason!  District 22 Umpire in Chief, Craig Stone, was also awarded the Georgia ASA Umpire of the Year for North Georgia.

Zone 2 UIC Tim Smith receives "special award" at the North Georgia Regional Clinic.

• In honor of the University of Florida's accomplishment as NCAA National Champions this year, Dave Lloyd of North Metro Umpires presented Mr. Tim Smith with a special gift...a 2006 Florida championship license plate!  Tim, known for his love of all things UGA, took it all in stride...promptly showing Dave just what he thought of Florida, and his "special award."  Hey, at least the SEC is represented as National Champs!

GUA Winter Meetings and Training get underway

• The Gwinnett Umpires Association winter meetings and field training have begun!  Most meetings are held at Central Gwinnett High School in the media center, and most field training is done at Bethesda park.  For a complete list of meeting dates and locations, click here.

GUA to host the 2007 Zone 2 Slow Pitch Development School in Lawrenceville

• Gwinnett Umpires Association is proud to be hosting the 2007 Zone 2 Slow Pitch Development School, located this year at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville.  Instruction will be provided by members of the Georgia ASA State training staff, and will include classroom training as well as field training in base and plate mechanics.  Click here to apply for the Slow Pitch Development School.

Al Dattolo to Serve as Acting Commissioner of Georgia ASA

• The ASA National Office has announced that Georgia ASA Commissioner Brockey Brock has taken a leave of absence to deal with personal issues, effective immediately.  At-Large Player Rep Al Dattolo has been named the acting Georgia ASA Commisioner during Brockey's leave.

Georgia ASA to host 2007 National Fast Pitch Camp!

• Georgia ASA is proud to be hosting the 2007 National Fast Pitch Camp in Cumming, Georgia.  This camp is an excellent opportunity to take instruction from members of the ASA national staff.  Instruction will include classroom training as well as field training in base and plate mechanics.  Umpires will be calling an 18 Gold Sector tournament, with one berth to the 18 Gold National Tournament in Oklahoma City.  Click here to apply.

ASA has announced the 2007 Rules and Mechanics changes.  Click below to view.

• 2007 ASA Rules Changes, with Comments

• 2007 ASA Mechanic Changes, with Comments

• 2007 ASA Umpire Exam