2013-14 Softball

1. 2013-14 Softball

2. SoftballItems for Review • Softball State Series • 2013 FHSAA Softball Finals • Softball Evaluation Program • Softball Official’s Uniform • Officials Recommendation Forms • Softball Field Clinics in 2013-14 • Softball Exam Schedule • Questions, Comments or Suggestions

3. 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

4. 2013 Softball Finals A Special Thanks to Treasure Coast Officials Association for their assistance during the 2013 Softball Finals in Vero Beach.

5. 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. • “Evaluation Camps” We are currently working with ASA to host Evaluation Camps prior to the beginning of the season. • An evaluation of 4.0 or higher will be the desired target for assigned officials and/or crews.

6. 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 have moved in the direction of new uniforms to generate funding in order to implement enhanced evaluation and training programs. • Beginning with the 2011-12 season, State Series Softball Officials were required to wear the new uniform shirt at State Series Events. • The old uniform will be sufficient for all regular season contests. • The new uniform shirt consists 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. This shirt will remain a requirement for all state series contests (Districts and beyond). • The new uniform shirt has also been approved for use during regular season baseball contests for officials who work both sports.

7. Officials Recommendation Arbiter vs email 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… We 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. It is the assignors goal to put the best officials on the field as our student-athletes only deserve the best!

8. 2013 Softball Field Clinics FPOA Orlando Date: 1/10/14 Site: TBD ECUA West Palm Beach January 11, 2014 Site: Okeeheelee Park Pensacola Softball Officials Association Pensacola January 25, 2014 Site: Pine Forest HS

9. 2013 Softball Exam Schedule • Online Exam • January 20 – 29 • Did away with Open Book/Closed Book! • Online Make-Up Exam • February 12 –18 • Rules Presentation • NONE!!! 

10. Questions, Comments or Suggestions?

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