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Originally Posted by cpa
Well, this is gonna be my last word on this -- but my wife is a school teacher and I am a parent w/ 3 kids who have all played ball growing up. I believe I have a pretty good feel for what parents and administration expect out of me when it comes to dealing with over-the-top fans.
I can tell you that in my umpiring experience that in many cases the umpire is THE authority figure at the park, unless it is a tournament, school or college setting. The lower the level of ball, the more likely it will be that "you're on your own"
Part of the problem w/ society today is that teachers and other authority figures tolerate way more than they should because of legal fears, lack of administrative support, eroding standards, etc.
So what if the kids have heard cussing before -- I can tell you where I live people expect those in authority to rein in and to curb such behavior. I,m not talking about rabbit ears umpires -- I'm talking about idiots who don't know how to act around kids, or in a church league setting, etc. The people that I work for, that my association works for, absolutely expect that sort of behavior to be dealt with.
I am not looking for it, I am not listening for it or seeking it out in any way -- but I can forcefully deal with it in a polite, most of the time discreet way when it happens -- by myself if practical, but by engaging administration if need be
I am not a prude, not particularly religious either -- just a guy w/ enough common sense to not hide behind a rule book that doesn't happen to have an explicit rule covering fart boxes or people screaming "horsesh.t" at 12 year old kids
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And herein lies the problem. I am a teacher. If I am busy listening to what is going on in the halls or in the classroom next door, how do I have time to attend to my teaching duties in my classroom. And believe me, I am as tough a displinarian as you will find. There are things written all over this school about me because of how tough I am. (And they aren't too nice!)
When I umpire, my duties are on the field, between the fences. (My classroom, if you are missing the analogy.) I have way too much to do there to spend my time policing the domain of the on site administrator. (These folk get extra pay to be here. They are paid to police the crowd and to be there in the event of any major problem. I have found most do an excellent job, but there are those that might need a little prodding to their job.)
Am I hiding behind the rule book. No. I am doing the job for which I am being paid.