[BigUmp56]

1) Let's talk about your screen name and mine. You're the one who had come back to this board under a new assumed identity. I was the first one to figure out that it was the old WCB back under a new alias. This must have really bothered you that a low life like me, who by your account has limited reading skills, was able to ferret you out. I on the other hand, use one moniker on at least five umpiring boards. I'm not afraid of my convictions, and I have no need to hide behind multiple aliases. When I'm wrong, I have no problem with being corrected by someone with more knowledge than I have, as long as they do it in an informative polite manner. You my friend, are simply unable to help anyone out without insulting them with your underlying rude comments. The primary reasons I frequent these boards are to learn from others, and to enjoy a little camaradarie with other baseball officilials from around the country. You come here to lord your writing skills over anyone who has a view on a topic contrary to your own. You very seldom answer a question directly. You have a knack for skirting the heart of the question by trying to show everyone how smart you think you are. Let me give you one example of your condesending remarks. I made a post about the proper mechanic for the miss of homeplate. I kicked it badly, and I'm not afraid to admitt that I did. The first thing you said in your response to me was, "do you own a television?"
That comment was uncalled for. It would imply that I'm either too poor to afford a television, or that maybe my religous beliefs kept me from owning a television, or that I must be an ignorant hick who doesn't understand what a television is, or whatever. You could care less if I own a television, so why ask the question if it was not for the purpose of being a smart @$$?

2)I will stand by my comment about rookie umpires working solo. They shouldn't be on the diamond without an experienced partner to learn from. You should know why they need a partner if your the umpire you claim to be. They need to be trained by someone on the field. A few clinics on rules and field mechanics does not an umpire make. If they're out there alone, they're developing bad habits with no one to correct them, or help them handle sticky situations. If your association want's to throw them to the wolves, so be it. My association will not do it. If they can't come up with the $$$ for a two man, thay can get a "daddy" to work their J/V and Frosh games. If I offended anyone in making this statement I apologize. You may wan't to consider getting your association to have the jewels to put an end to this treatment, unless of course the schools are willing to pay enough, and you just don't want to split the money two ways.


Tim.