[IRISHMAFIA]

Thought #1, A hammer does not have to be over your head so other players and fans can see it. How many times in a BB game have you seen confusion about whether the umpire calls a person out or safe, esp on plays that are not close?

Yes, it can be confusing, even on television when the umpire simply raises a fist in front of his body. And again, the signals are not there to make the umpire look stylish, the signals are for the fans and remote players, why do you seem to be offended by that point. If you are getting paid to do that job, do it.


Thought #2: I am very familiar with the ASA manual, and the points for slowing down umpires has utility for other sports too.

So what's your complaint. You were the one who suggested that you could understand if part of the mechanic was to slow one down.


Thought #3: I am lost as to what an overhand is, I assume it is a big ringup. I'm not saying a ringup is needed on obvious plays, we all know that. I think the hammer is too showy, when a simple out sign will do.


But you just told us you are familiar with the ASA manual! Make up your mind. And, if you knew the ASA manual, you would also know that the hammer IS the simple out sign.



Thought #4, there were other things too I was not crazy with too, and I won't condemn an instructor for what a student misunderstands or gets wrong. All I am saying is that they came home with stuff I am not sure works well.

A sad part of ASA's local programs is that many have given up on local/State/Metro schools. That means that many umpires go to a National School with limited knowledge. Did your fellow umpires attend any previous schools which would provide them with the basis for attending a NS?


Thought #5, Okay fine, your point is well-taken, my experince is limited. But I do know from what I hear, see, and read on this and other boards that there is more enforced uniformity on mechanics in SB than BB.

No argument.

If I am wrong, I withdraw the comment. Watching the NCAA SB stuff on ESPN it sure looks to me like they are close to the same mechanically, all of them.

Maybe because you are comparing them to what you think they should be, not what they are taught. Besides, what is wrong with people working the same game in the same uniform giving the same signs?

There are many of us, on this board and elsewhere, that have been complimented by teams and fans for our professionalism and ability to work as a team when actually, we may have only met each other 20 minutes before the game.

If you don't care for that, it's okay. You are free to work where you can do it the way you want. That's fine be me, because that's your business. However, you cannot argue with the point that when you do any job, any where, you do it in the manner prescribed by those running the show.

Thought #6 I have my share of big games, so I don't whine about anything thank you. If I get too old for BB and decide to do SB, I'll let my performance determine the level of games I work.

Go back and check the number of infrequent posters here and on the baseball board that make the reference. To me, that is a whine for those who seem to need an excuse for bad mouthing others. Or is it an excuse for making themselves feel better because they do not have the opportunity to get the national and international games? Most of the posters on here don't go over to the baseball board and mock the manner in which you do things, so why does it seem important for so many to do that to us?

BTW, I worked the little ball for 22 years, mostly youth to JUCO and some as a gypsy. I left the game at the ripe age of 36 because I was bored to tears. There was not challenge. Don't get me wrong, FP softball tends to bore me at times which is why I concentrate on SP. There is more action in two innings of SP ball than what you may see in an entire baseball game.

And let me break some news to you. To work softball, an umpire needs to be in the same, if not better, physical shape as anyone needs to do baseball. If you don't believe it, you are only fooling yourself.

And I remember whne I was doing a lot ofd ASA SB, I know of times when umpires were not allowed to work because they did not have the original ElBecho shirt on. Even though the no-EB shirt looked exactly the same, and was approved by the Postal Service for their uniforms, the umpire was sent home. From what I see things have not changed much since I was doing ASA FP in the early-mid 1980's.

It is called a UNIFORM for a reason. Check out definition at www.m-w.com


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