Using the Internet to Schedule Games

This morning I did something I have never done before. I scheduled a game using Arbiter.net. It is an assigning site that is used by a lot of college assignors and as of January 1, the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) went to using this website as a way for schools to contract officials for their games. Schools can either contact you via this website and offer you a specific game or you can "self assign" by picking up games that are posted on the site. I picked up a Varsity game, Merrillville at Michigan City. Its a decent drive but it is a Varsity game and I am looking to not only qualify but be selected for the state tournament this year.

My question today is does anyone use this site (or a similar assigning site) on a regular basis and how do you like it? I am used to just getting game through emails and phone calls. The jury is still out (in my opinion) on this primarily because I just haven't used it. Although my opinion is beginning to change. I think that if it is used right by athletic directors and the IHSAA, it should work pretty well here in Indiana.

A New Year, A New Baseball Season Around the Corner

Welcome to the year 2008! It is going to be a great here for this blog and for the baseball season as a whole. Now that it is January, this means that umpire clinics, game scheduling, rules interpretation meetings, and Association Meetings are just around the corner! If you live in Northern Indiana you are having a hard time thinking of baseball right now with the 1 foot + of snow on the ground, but have now fear, the snow will eventually melt and the smell of baseball will be back in the air.

For the new year on this blog, I will begin making regular posts (they will become much more regular as the season gets closer) about baseball and umpire topics that effects amatuer umpires through the course of the season. Of course, there will be opportunities for your comments and I encourage everyone to give their opinion (as long as they are on the specific topic and are clean and not defamitory). The opinions are what will set this blog apart. This will be a great forum for all umpires.