[GarthB]

Steve writes:

"But what I really want to hear is what Warren thinks and believes-----not the phraseology of how Warren can present a view that if reflective of a "team" philosophy and worded to asssure it is not upsetting others on his team."

It is indeed disappointing that to some, membership in an organization strips one of his right to be considered an individual. There is no team, that I know of, to which Warren or I belong.

We belong to UT, an internet list of umpires with a variety of backgrounds and experiences who enjoy the study of baseball rules, mechanics and game control. Some UT members are D1 NCAA umpires, some are FED umpires, some are LL umpires and some are retired umpires. Some have had pro experience and several have gone to pro school. Several of us are trainers and/or assignors.

We are not bound together by any single ideology. We are a group as diverse in our approach to rules study as we are in our experiences.

All of us are capable of independent thought and express that on a regular basis. We do not have a policy to not disagree withone another. We do have a policy to not be disagreeable with one another. While some umpires may not understand, there is a difference.

And that is what attracted many of us to this board. Management stated from the start that they would not tolerate personal attacks and disagreeable conduct on this board. They have kept good their word. One poster has had his posts removed at least twice and has been warned to cease his behavior. Not surprisingly, that poster was NOT a member of UT.

Steve, in this post and others, you seem to believe that you can hold posters responsible for the actions and posts of others. I will never understand that thinking. You seem to believe membership in an organization obligates us to the consequences of the behavior of all members of that organization.

I am a repbulican. Will I be held personally responsible for G.W. Bush's actions? I am a teacher. Am I liable for the actions of other teachers or of the teacher's union? I own a small business. Am I responsible for the conduct of the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce? I am a college umpire. Am I responsible for the actions or whomever works the plate at the College World Series?

The sensible person will know that I am not. Neither am I responsible for the actions of any other umpire on the internet.

All I ask it that I be held to the same standard to which I hold you. I do not insist that you speak out against a certain umpire before I will listen to you. I do not insist you have no right to your opinion because you ignored some post by someone I don't like three days ago.

Why the double standard?

I am an umpire/writer who deserves to be judged by my actions, my words, my behavior, my writings. If you want to slam me for anything I did, said or wrote, fine. But I will not be crucified for the perceived sins of others. (I am not that perfect)

Somehow, Steve, you've got to get past being a victim and holding everyone responsible. It's time for a little personal responsibility. If you have a gripe with someone, discuss it with them. I don't want to hear about it. It's not my concern.

If you have a gripe with me, let me know. I'm more than willing to take the consequences of my actions. I am not willing, and nobody should have to accept the consequences of someone else's actions.

Perhaps that is too much of a republican philsosophy for some to understand. I hope not.


BTW: Even though I am a republican, I voted with the majority in this last election. So please don't blame me for George the Second.