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To my Michigan Baseball Brethren,
Thank you for verifying what was only a rumor a few days ago. I applaud any action that makes the coaches accountable. We make teachers prove their mastery of the subject before they can profess; coaches are instructors, too.
I take issue with Mr. Mills' statement that the average umpire would suffer if the coaches were made to attend rule interps and take the Part 1 test. Sports is about skill and tactics. A knowledgeable coach always has the advantage. Are you concerbed that an inept official may meet up with a studied coach? That is shameful - put the onus on the one getting paid to administrate the game, not lower the bar to make things equal. In a world full of lawyers, I want the police officer to be as learned of the law. Afterall, he is the one enforcing the rules!
High School athletics is predicated on participation, sportsmanship and safety. The coach is the teacher and the official is the administrator. We simply insure that what he is teaching is legitimate and fair. After all, how many times have we heard, "What? That's not a balk. We've taught him that for three years."
In my opinion, an informed coach is not dangerous, but, an uninformed umpire is.
[Edited by WindyCityBlue on Oct 26th, 2004 at 11:33 AM]
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