[WhatWuzThatBlue]

From Blue Lawyer:
Sarcasm is a highly sought skill? I disagree. Most folks value a sense of humor, and sarcasm has a place in humor. When abused or overused, just like anything else, it becomes tedious, isolating and ultimately, ineffective.

I don't use sarcasm anymore than is required. You have recently joined us and missed many posts that did not involve the AMLU. My hot buttons are get the call right, malicious contact, expected call and balks. I have written thousands of words of support, clarification and assistance. I still teach clinics and pride myself on preparing newbies for the real world. In those clinics, we use confrontation and sarcasm - JUST LIKE ON THE BALL FIELD. They are effective tools and skills, depsite your view to the contrary. Sarcasm is not part and parcel of a sense of humor-it may be a defense mechanism or malicious.

What you see on David E. Kelley TV shows is not what being a lawyer is about. (edit for brevity) There are jackasses in my profession, to be sure, and maybe more of them per capita (good Latin, eh?) than in other professions. My frame of reference on this is limited; I have been a lawyer, soldier, politician, sports official and a blue-collar factory guy in my life. By far the biggest number of self-important blowhards per capita is in the political field.

Again, you should have read my message about A2D. You are justifying your position yet again. I never compared your career to a television show. Stick around long enough and you'll find that amateur umpires have vast differences in the way we treat the job. Name any rule, mechanic or uniform code and you'll find that not everyone is in the same boat. We've debated the acceptability of white shirts, enforce the batters box rule, be considered independent contractors, accept MiLB assignments, work as a volunteer etc. Each of us is in this for our own reasons. If you need any more evidence of this, read the strike threads again-they go back eight months. Again, A2D, but don't try to sell me on the need to sing Kumbayah. I was in a fraternity long ago and I truly bonded with those guys. But, we'd go to conventions and find brothers from other chapters that I wouldn't have spit on if they were on fire. Their idea of brotherhood was get drunk, get a brand and humiliate. Sure, they were 'family' - the same way chimpanzees are related to homo sapiens.

I am interested to know where to draw the line in the name of "Me, Myself and I." If your partner boots a call, you know it and the aggreived Coach comes out and chews his a$$, do you leave your partner twisting in the wind? At the postgame do you say, "Man, you sucked on that one. But you made me look good. Thanks."? Do you pirate assignments? Do you run down your colleagues to coaches, other umpires, ADs and assignors? Maybe that attitude and execution works where you are from. Around here, it is a recipe for limited assignments.

That's fair...you clearly didn't read the post that explained how we are supposed to excel while supporting our crew mates...but you deserve an answer to the query. I have no compunction about giving a brutal post game eval to one of my partners, I accept and expect the same. I have been involved with situations that had me leave a partner to fend for himself. (Pre-game he told me he does not allow check swing appeals. Okay, enjoy that red ***.) I've had partners who told me that they won't come to me (PU) on a swipe tag at first even when straightlined. That's good to know - I'll get some popcorn and be sure to ask that you are removed from future assignments. If the assignor values my opinion enough to ask, I will do a disservice to carry an official that isn't ready for a big game. I worked at a very high level and teach countless clinics. If you don't know how I feel about you then we haven't worked together. Read more and you'll find that my feelings about knowing your role and that the game is bigger than any umpire are long held. Conversely, if you are an excellent umpire and worthy of support, I have been known to call assignors and heap praise your way. I have handed back assignments to ensure that younger umpires get the chance to experience really big games. After a game, if you made me proud - I've got the first couple rounds. Like I wrote, if we've worked together, you'll know what I think of you. You're only as good as your last call and knowing that will make you better.

It depends. I have bad games, even after years of experience. I expect my partner to tell me so. What I don't expect is for him to disrespect me and preen his feathers. I have sometimes felt like I have had to carry my partner when he is having a bad game. But you know what? I look bad, too. We look bad. It is no fun to work baseball when you as a crew are not having a good game.

There is a fine line between being able to accept criticism and give it; that line also exists with praise. I don't mind a guy preening when he deserves it. We've had threads that asked us to describe our worst call/game. I've participated and humbled myself at the altar of the OF. You keep making judgements based on very limited observation.

You understand nothing about the way I think, because again, you didn't ask. And I am not stating that you should tell me I'm a swell guy. I am stating that telling me I'm an idiot is unnecessary. And is "confrontation is part of the game"? Really? It can be, but that is no reason to be confrontational. My experience tells me that if I go into a game looking for a fight, I'll find one. And this board is not a game. As much as some would like to, we can't ultimately eject anybody.

That comment wasn't meant to be taken personally. I didn't find it necessary to paranthetically write (royal 'you') but apparently I should have; relax. Confrontation is certainly part of the game. Every call makes half of those present angry. Few umpires go into a game looking for a battle - most of us are keenly aware that we will be a target out there. Every umpire school and clinic I have ever attended taught confrontation awareness. I've never called a perfect game and that is why I keep coming back. I'm going to blow some calls and take the pipe for it. Some of it is gamesmanship while other times personal. Being a veteran of more years than I want to admit, I've learned the difference.

I am not afraid of words, WWTB. I am sometimes disgusted by them, much in the same way that I am not afraid of roadkill, but I find it unpleasant and disgusting. With all due respect, WWTB, what you and I have (and what I see with your "dialogue" with other members of this board) is not "discourse". It's you spoiling for a fight, looking for confrontation, asserting your superiority in every aspect of umpiring and turning every argument personal. That's not discourse; it's diatribe.

It's funny, you can write a disagreeable tome and it is not meant to be a diatribe, some would call that hypocritical. I am not spoiling for a fight any more than you are in need of a good smack down. What all discussion boards have are opinions. When you adamantly defend yours, I am entitled to adamantly punch holes in it, if I'm so inclined.

Have you spent much time before the bar? Opposing views are often passionate and heat of the moment comments tend to rock the boat. Of course my opinion is personal, that is classic redundancy. The very definition of discourse if the verbal exchange of ideas. I'm sorry to inform you that we may agree to disagree and still have a discourse. Is the word 'debate' more palatable?

Finally, if you truly don't believe that ego has a role in umpiring then I suspect we don't umpire the same level of ball. I have spent too much time and energy to not know what I am capable of or not. I was fortunate enough to have been asked to work a level of baseball that most amateurs only dream about. Hard work and knowing the right people made it happen. I earned the right to a feeling of accomplishment and if that offends you that is too bad. I embrace the newbie and am more than proud to help anyone who asks. I accept criticism of my officiating and often admit mistakes to my partners. I've offered contrition here and have bet on the wrong horse many times in life. However, until you've walked in my shoes and accomplished similar feats, you don't get to question my justification.

You implied that I treat others poorly. I am not afraid of those who build glass houses. I have tangled with the best and worst of them. Some recognize that it is not personal and are mature enough to move on. Others are probably just as hard headed as I am and I recognize that we won't share a fountain soda any time soon. That's okay with me...I'm not here to win the laurels of this board. Sometimes I embrace being the Devil's advocate. Whether you love me or hate me, I respect your right to enter a debate. I have only asked that you be prepared for challenge and able to retort effectively, as they are desirable umpire skills. If the topic becomes heated, recognize it for what it is...words on a blue and white screen. While they may disgust you, be mature enough to look away. If you don't want to see DaVinci Code or listen to Howard Stern, don't. But, tugging on Superman's cape invites confrontation.

A2D