TASO_HOUSTON Chapter has grave concerns about new UIL Officials Program
BY RANDY BYERS © COPYRIGHT 2009 Houston5ABaseball.com
As the relationship between TASO and the UIL gets even more fragile the Houston Chapter Officials have many grave concerns about the new UIL program ranging from substandard insurance to unrealistic compensation for a chapter as large as Houston. Speaking on behalf of his 350 member chapter, the largest chapter in Texas, Houston Chapter President Bob Charmo expresses some of the chapter's concerns.
For example, the insurance thru the TASO organization is annual inclusive as where the UIL is seasonal and substandard says TASO-Houston Officials. A non annual inclusive insurance program would seriously damage such chapter events like the Baseball Umpires Scholarship Tournament. "If we got to go out and buy a 4, 5, or 6 thousand dollar insurance policy for one tournament, that really hurts what were trying to do for the kids" said Charmo. Each year the Houston Chapter, Baseball Umpires raise and distribute more than $40,000 in monies in the form of education scholarships.
Unrealistic compensation is another thorn in the side of TASO here in the Houston area. "You're dealing with Houston and it's a 100 miles square and the UIL wants to compensate you $14 for 80 miles" Says TASO-Houston President Bob Charmo. "Is it fair to ask a man to get off work at 6:00, jump on the beltway ($9.00 in tolls), drive 40 miles each way and receive $14 for mileage and tolls" asked Charmo.
Another major concern of the Houston chapter is the line of communication, or lack there of between the UIL and TASO. "There's no process for any kind of negotiation on any issue" says Charmo. "It's basically my way or the highway". "If there is no process for negotiation then how is that fair". "It's basically abide by the regulation or quit, those are the choices".
Another major concern of the Houston chapter is training. As the current proposal adopted by the UIL merely provides handing out rule books and leaving TASO on the hook for training costs and duties while the UIL is collecting the fees. TASO currently has an industry leading training standard in place to assure the highest quality training in the industry. "That's why everyone wants us come play-off time" says Charmo. The UIL has no such program in place.
When ask of a State wide position on these issues Charmo said "We are moving towards that goal to form a State wide position and should have a better idea of that in the next few days. "There are many other concerns and issues" says Charmo but we have to develop a organizational position (State wide) with what we now know of the UIL Officials Program proposal".
As is stands now, it appears that TASO and the UIL are miles apart when you take into consideration just the concerns of the Houston chapter.
