Good Umpires Work - Top Notch Umpires Work Better Games
I see a potential confict between what we should do (support our organization and its rules) and what we shouldn't do (in a nutshell, sell out to the assignor/league/coaches/customer). National organizations such as FED, NCAA, LL, etc. don't normally experience these conflicts because their practices, interpretations, mechanics, etc. are standardized nationwide...
So when my assignor, acting on behalf of the local association, tells me I should call this or that, despite what the OBR, NAPBL, or other source says, am I supporting the organization that hires me, or am I "selling out"?
Dennis [/B][/QUOTE]
Having umpired FED ball on Long Island I can say it certainly is not consistent with "national" standards. One example is the Balk rule. My observation is that in high school ball OBR rules are what were used because this is what the coaches expected. To hell with FED was the action taken because coaches' ratings of umpires were the key to moving from JV to Varsity or getting playoff assignments. Another example was the "automatic strike" rule meant to speed up the game. One guy I know called about 15 of these the first two weeks it was in effect. Few others followed suit. Eventually the rule was modified more in the spirit of speeding up the game rather than calling "extra strikes". If you want to get a rule changed "call it by the book" is the recommendation some make. This smacks in the face of the reality that FED is a slow moving organization that has put "education" into sports. Finally, in New York State high school ball the ten run rule still is not in effect. Maybe since umpires here are paid the most a little overtime in say a 32-2 game shouldn't bother them.
I know my association is always looking for good umpires even sometimes just umpires. If you are willing to work, know your stuff, and can relate well to coaches you can call what the rulebook or accepted norms say you should call. If someone wants to tell you that an overthrow is one plus one you simply have to point the runner to the right base. Most of the times it's going to be the same base as the common misconception. Now if they tell you the hands are part of the bat... Jim/NY
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