Quote:
Originally posted by GarthB
I can't believe this has become so complicated.
Windy, when I first worked D-1 I was told by a very experienced and senior partner, "assistants just don't exist. If they try to materialize, they are ejection bait."
He didn't add, "except if I'm having a heart attack", or "except if the head coach is shot by a jealous husband" or any other kind of exception. We were talking about umpiring. I knew what he was saying.
If you have the experience you say you have, then there is no need to play this continuing what if game. You know what is being said. If you walked on the field with Gus Rodriquez and he said, "assistants don't exist", you'd know what he was saying.
A little league umpire might have to ask,"what if". According to your resume, you shouldn't have to.
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[/i]Stop exagerrating, Mr. Benham. (Again, you have a problem with names, but I digress.)
There is no what if game going on. I've given you true examples and accepted practices of NCAA and PBUC baseball. You treat coaches and players with respect and uphold the integrity of the game. Acting like a prima dona is not in your best interest. The Golden Rule is a guiding force for most umpires. I guess I was wrong to suspect that you had common sense working for you. If you can't (or won't) answer a simple question from an adult then you shouldn't be on the field. Teaching newbies how to handle assistants that persist should have been the concern. I tried to do that and you have changed the intent of my message. Pete in AZ proferred the idea that assistants should not be ignored, an afront to TAC's sensibilities. We don't take soapy showers with them, but we certainly don't have to hide from them either. That is basically what TAC is saying. Like a four year old plugging his ears and closing his eyes, his assertion and your agreement are just creepy.
Your straw men philosophy seems to have blown up in your face. I don't recall any talk about being shot. Pete made a mistake, you pounced on him but are just as guilty of doing it to bolster your claims. I gave you more credit than this. I may have to rethink that decision.
You might want to read the thread about what is a good umpire. I didn't see any mention of a superiority complex pertaining to umpire/assistant coach relations. My resume doesn't end with D-1 baseball. I learned from some of the best in the business and know that ego is important but reckless arrogance on the field is a scarlet letter. I am talented enough to be able to ignore the balls and strikes chirping from the assistant. I don't ignore simple courtesies.