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Originally Posted by MajorDave
The tenor of commentary leans a bit toward the holier than thou side by some. The lack of camaraderie by some on this site is a big drawback for this forum. I have never understood why some posters choose to be so negative toward others. I agree that some posters deserve it when they start arguments, ask the same dumb questions over and over and argue with advice when they sought the advice in the first place. However, the lack of compassion, understanding and downright nastiness of some for no apparent reason puzzles me. I have learned that several of the "regulars" or "old timers" on this site have grown intolerant of the relative ignorance of some newer or more inexperienced posters. I do my best to ignore it. Commenting on it, even like I am doing now, never helps anyone, even me. I write to help me clear my head, sort out complex (at least to me) concepts and inform others when I can. Others apparently just like to give some a hard time. It is easy to do anonymously or via the internet with the hundreds and thousands of miles between many of us. Also, the avocation, as I like to call it, demands a certain level of skin thickness, stubbornness and ego that most jobs never come close to. So, consider the source of some of the commentary and ignore it if it doesn't help you get better. I still get a lot of valuable information from the postings here. I try to give some of it back as I strive to get better every day. Both in my umpiring career and with the rest of my life. Good luck. My two cents.
D.C. Teater
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You know, when you got to the big clinics/camps and what not, you will inevitably hear an official who has achieved a fairly high level in the pro ranks give a seemingly heartfelt speech concerning the "brotherhood of officiating". You will hear all sorts of great talk about how you should never talk bad about fellow officials no matter how deserving they may be of it. You will hear about how you should never openly criticize a fellow official, even to another official. How you should never envy another officials assignments. How you should never work against another official. All of these same things may be published in rule books under "ethics" statements and what not.
This is a great speech, until you hear that same guy talk trash about somebody.
I have seen it way too many times in the 3 sports I have officiated.
The "culture" of umpiring upper level sports is not going to change. I am not sure it can! You MUST be ambitious to improve. That same ambition though often leads to unsavory behavior for officials (meaning, behavior that is contrary to the mission and ethics statements that we read).
There are territorial disputes. There are political plays. There are conflicting personalities. It is all there in officiating. What makes it really messed up is that any even halfway decent sports official is a Type A personality. Thus, these battles can be very nasty.
To survive, you have to be clever! Probably the best advise I could give anybody newer trying to move up the ranks. Be clever!
