Quote:
Originally posted by jumpmaster
This exact situation happened to me this weekend. My partner, who has been calling ball for over 40 years, missed a clear tag at second, because he was standing in the "A". Not a word out of the coaches. I didn't say anything.
Through high school and summer ball, I have been approached by coaches about this umpire and his "decrease" in abilities. Even some of the younger umpires and I have discussed his abilities. Most of the coaches around here know and even played while he was calling through the years.
It is obvious when working with him, that he has problems seeing the ball. He readily admits that he can't hear out of one ear(not necessarily a bad thing) and he consistently stays rooted in one spot. I don't want to say anything because he is considered the grandfather of umpires in this area and this is my rookie year. His actions, judgement and abilities are clearly waning and it is starting to create a bad impression of the assocation our abilities.
At what point do you step up and say enough is enough? Do you approach the guy and try and elicit a graceful exit or do you approach the members of the board and make your concerns known?
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Perhaps if this "veteran" umpire really knows the rules he can serve as a school instructor or roving evaluator. If his skills have really deteriorated due to age he should not be assigned to the higher level ballgames. Despite all this if over the years he has been competent and approchable I would remember the good old days and try to figure out why he earned that respect. It is never the position of any umpire to speak poorly of another umpire especially when that umpire is your partner. If someone suggests "old Gus" ain't what he used to be I'd simply say that he is doing the best he can and isn't that what we all should do between the lines.