B&S: What sets Massachusetts ASA apart
from other Associations?
JA: Mass. ASA is recently combined
organization incorporating the old Metro
Boston ASA as well as the former Mass. ABA. They were merged in Sept. of 2009 by the direction of the ASA Board of Directors. Since the merger, we have striven to assimilate as much current internet technology as possible to assist in our operations. Not only do we use Social Networking sites, such as Facebook and
Twitter, we have added to our web-site such things as PayPal (tm) and online registrations for teams and umpires. We have incorporated the use of internet phone systems using 1-800 numbers for voice and fax so they're always saved and accessible from any nearby computer for our staff.
B&S: You are one of our most active
Associations in regards Social media ex.
Twitter, facebook, etc. What do you do to
make sure they are successful? Any tips you want to share?
JA: The plain and simple truth of using
Facebook and Twitter is to be online all the
time. No one person can do it, but fortunately Mass. ASA has some great individuals like Brad Tittrington among others who takes the time to follow things online and keep things moving.
It's important to keep an active newsworthy
account and making sure you take the time
to insert recent events as well as upcoming
ones. People like to see their names mentioned for the work they do and these two social networking sites allow people to be thanked publicly (and quickly) for their efforts. We have posted the links very prominently on our main web-site for people to see and click on to see (hopefully) up-to-the minute events.
In terms of tips, we have made a point of
mentioning in all our e-mails, postal mailings, as well as league meetings we've attended of making sure that everyone is aware of our accounts and taking the time to 'friend' people as quickly as possible within our local area.

B&S: One story that came to the National
Office is that you found a bunch of umpires
through Craigslist EXplain how you did that
and the success you had.
JA: Craigslist has been a real boost to our
umpire recruiting efforts these last two years. Jim Fanning (At-Large-Player Rep) came up with the idea last year and we gave it a try.
We posted an ad titled "Looking for a few
good umpires- in three different target areas
within the site, and within a few days, we had over 100 e-mails or phone calls expressing interest. Still the Metro Boston association at the time, we were able to register over 75 new umpires just from this one advertising campaign. Seeing the success we had last year, and a much larger geographic territory to cover this year, we decided to do it again.
We advertised on Craigslist again, targeting a different portion of the state (but the whole state is covered), and this year we had over 100 replies within the first three hours. In the last month, we've had over 200 inquiries and we've already completed new umpire training for over 80 new candidates statewide. The best part of this type of umpire recruiting is that Craigslist is fairly inexpensive, $25 per area. Last year's cost was $75 and the same for this year as well. The math is simple in terms of $150 investment and a return of over 150 new umpires.
As a side note, we spent last year almost
$3000 on print media with not one actual
umpire registered. This year, we didn't even
attempt to spend money on print media and
we are excited by the results we generated
from Craigslist.
B&S: What is your biggest asset as
an association?
JA: Communication is our biggest asset. Social Media aside, our focus has been to conduct as many face-to-face meetings as possible. Phil McElroy (our JO Commissioner) and I have driven a few thousand miles since the merger attending league meetings, umpire board meetings and recreation planning meetings letting folks know about the merger. As we build a bigger, better leadership team within the state, our expectations will be to have our local staff make every attempt to meet annually with all of the leagues in Massachusetts.

B&S: I know this is a sensitive topic but how have your members reacted to Register ASA?
Do you believe this will be good for the ASA?
JA: I realize your question treads lightly on the subject of Register ABA, but people need to understand something clearly. While Register ASA is not working optimally, it IS working and teams, players, and umpires ARE being registered. We're very proud in Mass. to be one of the first states to go 'live' with Register ASA and we're very fortunate in an odd way that our softball season is considerably shorter than our neighbors in the wanner climates to the south. The only teams we've had any rush to register was our travel teams up until 3 weeks ago and Phil McElroy with nothing short of Herculean in his efforts to work with the ABA staff and answer all client questions. The recreation teams have just started in earnest to register this last month and Phil continues to work hard meeting their needs as well.
Will this be good for the ASA? With no
hesitation, ABSOLUTELY! With the ability to build a static database that can be used year after year,leagues and teams will be able to register faster and more efficiently minimizing the efforts of the local ASA staffs in the next few years. I sincerely understand that people who haven't used the old system or the new Register ASA may have some doubts because of our 'startup' problems, but I am. certain that with time, people will appreciate the efforts of the JO community and the National Staff.
B&S: Any best practices you would
like to share ?
JA: This is more directed at the abundance
of new commissioners recently appointed.
"Be a pain in the neck" There's way too
many people within our National ABA who have 'been there and done that' to not take advantage of their knowledge. I'd like to take a moment to publicly thank Bill Cary (Maine Commissioner), Jack Mowatt (Maryland Commissioner), Warren Jones (Ohio Commissioner), Norm Davis (Region 1 UIC) and a cast of thousands for their patience in answering my hundreds of questions these past two years. With that being said, Andy Dooley, Joey Rich, Ron Radigonda, Craig Cress, and the entire ASA staff have provided me invaluable guidance on how to get Mass. ASA on the right track and working to the good of all of our clients. Ask questions, it gets everyone thinking!