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Where to begin:
Pete:
I cannot even recognize the issue that you are speaking of . . .
I want EVERY ONE of our umpires to strive to work the "biggest game." In my opinion any umpire that doesn't want the "Big Game" has started the downward slide to being nothing more than a "Warm Body" to fill assignment holes.
Not only do I want the "Big Game" I want the "BIG CALL".
Example:
Two years ago working a league playoff game we got to that final question:
3 Balls 2 Strikes Bases loaded and 2 out.
I was the base umpire located in "C" and (I thought) I was saying under my breath: "Hit it too me, hit it too me!" I wanted to make the final call (didn't matter "SAFE" or "OUT") just the "Big Call!"
Before F1 could get set to look for a sign F6 behind me called "TIME!"
He came to me laughing and said: "Are you saying 'hit it too me, hit it too me!'"
Sheepishly I nodded "yes" and he laughed:
Looking at me with a smile he said: "I was saying the same thing . . . I want to make the last play of the game."
Pete, I worked major college basketball for 20 years and I am starting my 40th year of baseball. Never once have I considered wanting to take games of lesser importance or level of play.
TussAgee11 wrote:
"As for going down the ladder? Again, it happens. But not as much as it should. Particularly with baseball and basketball, being a varsity official should not be a life time job. Even if you are able to stay in shape, there gets to a point where you have seen too much, dealt with too much, and have lost your ability to view the game completely unbiased (at least in the game management realm)."
This simply proves that children should be seen and not heard.
Regards
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