[DownTownTonyBrown]

Just a couple of observations...

You definitely like being right/correct. You pride yourself on it and you do a good job at being correct. However, there will always be dissenting opinions and they may be as worthy of consideration as your own.

I don't know the full situation.

There is surely a reason that your association requires an umpire to attend one of the clinics - probably to ensure that umpires assigned to post season games know the proper mechanics. I would guess that Hector knows the proper mechanics and has previously met the requirement. So I can see how a reasonable board member could vote in favor of the exemption. Personally, I think I would have voted with you against such an exception to the rule. (There was a requirement and Hector did not meet it. And, we have plenty of umpires that did meet the requirement who can work the post season games.) But I can see how one might see Hector's as a reasonable request.

You took a very strong stance that an exemption should not be allowed. I feel like you resigned because the board did not fully agree with you. Thank-goodness the Justices of the Supreme Court don't work this way - we'd be down to Judge Roy Bean after just a few decisions and dissenting opinions.

I feel you were correct - an exemption should not have been allowed. It creates a bad scenario as evidenced by the other umpires that subsequently also filed for an exemption given that one was granted for Hector.

I don't feel you should have resigned - you are not soley responsible for the board's decision. And the board's decision does not directly reflect your character. I feel your resignation may have been compulsive due to your nature to be correct and your likely desire to subsequently be proven correct by the board. The board did not fully agree with you, hence you may have felt that they said you were wrong.

Again, I don't know the full situation. But it seems that you have taken the board's action too personally.

Carl, I have intended no offense and only hope that I have inspired you to reflect a bit less emotionally (just my perspective). I know you will continue to due a great job in all other aspects of your life and officiating. My best to you.

[Edited by DownTownTonyBrown on Apr 17th, 2005 at 04:35 PM]