[gordon30307]

Originally posted by LilLeaguer
I'm actually surprised that there isn't more discussion of Mr. Christensen's articles in the Forum. Perhaps many of the regulars aren't also subscribers. I've found them the bright spot in the Baseball section lately; if I renew my subscription, Tee will have most of the credit for it.

In his latest column, he discusses umpire training and working with those that lack it. As do most of you in the Forum, Tee is quick to notice when an umpire appears out of the ordinary.

I wonder what Tee would do if I showed up to work a game with him on the bases. I wouldn't have a ball bag or a "base brush" (I haven't ever carried these on the bases). No clindicator to give me away, as I haven't used one of those on the bases for 4 years or so. My socks match, my shoes are polished, and my one base hat without insignia is navy blue, matching my pullover. If he looks closely, he might see the unfaded spot on my left shoulder.

But I'll probably be a disaster during the game. My 90' two-man mechanics are pretty rusty, and they were never perfect. (I learned "on-the-job" from a pretty good association trained umpire a few years ago; I can't tell if this counts as training or experience.) Most importantly, I don't know squat about FED rules. Tee will eventually catch me as an imposter. It might be when I miss R1's touch at 2B, or perhaps when I fail to call a "gorilla-arm" balk, but I'll eventually be found out.

So, if things like proper mechanics and rules knowledge are really so important, we do we focus on appearance so much? (I include myself in this, or I wouldn't be able to fool Tee in the parking lot.) Why is it important to kick the dirt off of 2B, if necessary, rather than brush it off?

-LL

If I was working with you I would hope that you would be upfront with me from the get go. With a good pregame I think we could work well together. Normally I don't talk to my partner between innings, but If I were working with you I'd have no problem doing this. Hey we're doing a baseball game and not brain surgery. Get the obvious outs and the obvious safe calls and I'll be a happy guy. The only Fed. Rule that I would discuss with you is the forced play slide rule other than that it's just baseball.