Quote:
Originally posted by SMEngmann
... I also don't think that umpires should treat anyone associated with the game with any measure of disrespect
... I asked that the umpire refrain from calling me by my first name, again, a seemingly reasonable request unrelated to the play. To get tossed for that, in my opinion, is absurd. ...
I am a sports official, I don't show up umpires or treat them disrespectfully as I have been on the other side many times. However, I respect your opinions and will take them into account.
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I agree with your first quoted statement above.
WHY did you request him to call you coach or not by your first name? This appears to be in the midst of an act of confrontation or effrontery; having not been there, I can't tell who started it but surely you continued the confrontation by your request to be called coach. That was not a step towards familiarity and respect (they seem to go together). This was a wrong move and you did disrespect him.
As an umpire, the bad tag deal would have been a safety concern for me. If you feel your defender was avoiding a malicious collision or being spiked, I would have raised that issue rather than worrying about the missed tag call. "Was that a legal slide? It looked like he had his cleats up in the air and I think that was why my guy got out of the way rather than making the tag and getting cut up. He was protecting himself by avoiding contact. That looked like, maybe, it could have been called an illegal slide."
Approaching a different facet of the play may have maintained your professional relationship.
You may have paid his wages but surely you recognize that you are not his boss. He is there to be impartial and equitable to both teams. If he tolerates you telling him to clean the rubber, and telling him to speak to you a certain way, he has to tolerate it from the other coaches too. And maybe the players too. And maybe the fans... Not a good situation.
These are obviously just my opinions, and I hope they help.