About SEWSA

Formed in 2006, the Southeast Wisconsin Softball Association (SEWSA) was created as an association for softball umpires only. The founders of SEWSA, Mike Brewer, Beth Wittnebel, Henry St. Clair, and countless others, felt that there was a significant void in the softball umpiring culture within southeast Wisconsin. Although the Wisconsin Umpires Association (WUA) was the “gold standard” as far as umpiring associations go, there was more of an emphasis on baseball mechanics. This needed to be addressed, as the interest in softball, especially in girls fastpitch, was increasing exponentially.

SEWSA’s goals are simple… to promote and foster softball mechanics and rules by using the standards set by the organizations that we work for: the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS); the Amateur Softball Association (ASA); and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

We service many of the high schools, not only in the area, but also are the exclusive umpires of all area ASA tournaments and leagues in the summer, including having the majority of umpires selected to work annually in the ASA National Qualifiers and WASA State Tournaments. Many of our umpires have also been selected to work at the ASA Nationals (formerly Northern Nationals) and Mike Brewer was the last to work at the ASA/USA Nationals, working the 2004 14-and-under tournament in Owensboro, KY.

In addition to the above, SEWSA umpires are the exclusive umpires working in the Metro Milwaukee Fastpitch League (MMFL), which is the premier girls fastpitch league in Wisconsin.

SEWSA has become the progressive leader in the State of Wisconsin, as we use the Arbiter assigning program for all contests (www.thearbiter.net). In addition, SEWSA has become a leader in payment for umpires, as the association pushed for a $5 increase last year in fees. Also, SEWSA plans to usher in 3-umpire mechanics as a standard in the latter stages of tournaments beginning in 2008.

As the host for the Region 8 ASA National Umpire School in March 2008, SEWSA looks to begin the next phase in becoming the undisputed leader in softball umpire training… the formation of the first National New Umpire School. Already currently in the development stages, the New Umpire School will incorporate National Umpire School standards with an increased emphasis on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year umpires. SEWSA is also leading the charge in creating a State Clinic, beginning in March 2009 and running every other year.

With all of these new changes and improvements on the horizon, SEWSA plans on moving softball umpiring in Wisconsin to the top of the ladder in just a few short years.

If you wish to garner further information on the “Softball Umpiring Revolution,” please contact SEWSA President Mike Brewer.