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Wow,
Where to start???
Garth thanks for the excellent "real world" example. I remember that we spoke about this exact play when it happened.
My position on removing the mask with either hand is based on moving the mask EVENUTALLY (and that is almost immediately) to the left hand. We know that more than one MLB umpire over the years have signalled "out" with the left hand but I still believe in some uniformity.
Rich's point is extremely important -- there is NO REASON (other than a trained uniformity) that out be called with the right hand.
WWTB, I know what ALL schools teach but I still say, even in light of Garth's example, that the hand is insignificant and IF you evaluate an umpire's performance by this "skill" then it is silly.
Mr. Hensley, we KNOW what is taught at professional umpire schools, clinics, camps and weekend outings. Professional school also teaches umpires to be a-holes to skippers, robots in Short A ball and to be ready to work for peanut wages. Not all those things are "good things". I have never said anywhere that teaching to remove a mask with only the left hand is silly . . .
Also, I am proud to say, that after my shoulder reconstruction and TWO rotator cuff surgeries that I am yet again able to follow the whims of teaching and remove my mask with my LEFT hand. While I was guilty of removing my mask with my RIGHT hand (both hands actually) while going through rehab I have joined the thousands that now do it, yet again, "correctly."
SDS, I left you for last:
I think you would freely admit that people learn in different ways. We also know that people teach in different ways.
While even working one man games "could" teach some it is probably the WORST way for young umpires to "progressively" learn.
The same goes for working Sub-Varsity games. Rather than argue with you about whether a sub-varsity game or varsity game has "more pressure" I will simply intone that they both have "pressure" for an umpire -- just different types of pressure.
SDS wrote:
"Too good (perceived self-image only) to work youth ball."
Steve I ask you the following:
"Why should I work a level of baseball and a system that I find morally bankrupt, reprehensible in concept and nothing more than an extension of parental desire?
"Why should I work a level of baseball "just to work that level"? -- umpires all over the Nation select to work "Certain" levels and not work others . . . your socialistic view of assignment and umpiring scares me."
SDS also wrote:
"Tee, from reading your posts this past year, I can tell that you really do fit the cliche of "you start out perfect, and improve from there.""
Please remember that I am not the umpire that entered the Umpire Message Board community and intoned that "had I gone to umpire school I would now be an MLB umpire."
I am not the umpire that CONTINUALLY reminded us that because of "life style descisions" decided to not pursue a professional umpire career but still has the ability to work that level of ball.
And Steve, (like I told Dale Scott, Gary Darling and Jim Joyce the other night), I don't "drop the names" of MLB umpires all the time.
In closing Steve, I do believe I eject with my left hand . . . is that also a training weakness? How many demerits is attached?
Regards,
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