[IRISHMAFIA]

I'm sorry, but I don't buy the female arguement.

Gender doesn't make any difference, the players and coaches poach on anyone they think is new or weak.

The only reaction to such move is a calm and collected response. Do not let them see you as prey, but a worthy opponent.

Just like playing the game, let your performance do your talking for you and demand the respect. Dump those who need to go and nurture those trying to support the game in general.

I don't care what gender an umpire is, they have to walk on the field in proper, neat dress, display confidence and act in a professional manner. Knowing the rules and the proper mechanics is also required. That means clinics and schools, any the umpire can attend.

Never walk on the field as a male who believes they are the boss, nor as a female who believes they are in for a rough night with the MCPs. Never walk on the field as a male or female. Walk on the field as an umpire. I've seen a few female umpires who could have done well, fail in their job. But it was their fault, no one elses. They walked on the field with a chip on their shoulder. There was one nice young lady who could have gone far at the national level, but she was more concerned over parsing comments made by the players and chasing them into the dugout and out of the park. Same with the male umpire who use to look and listen for anything which could be construed as an argument and, in a heartbeat starts dumping players and challenging the others to see "who was next"!

You cannot do this job behind a curtain of fear or threats. Playing into such detrimental positions only worsens any situation which will rarely, if ever, improve.

JMHO,