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Another agreement. Forums such as this one can be a great educational tool.
I've been reading and posting not only here, but on several other umpire forums, for about six years now. I often think back to my early days when I first got involved here and how some of the regulars "schooled" me on some of my misconceptions and weak areas.
It wasn't a case of "posters who think they're above anyone else". These guys know what they're talking about and if you post something that is flat-out wrong, they will let you know about it! Sometimes gently, sometimes gruffly, but if you pay attention and listen you WILL learn.
Rather than get all defensive and turn tail, never to return, I stuck it out, took my licks and actually learned a few things. And I consider myself a better umpire for it today.
You can read and re-read the rule books, attend classes and clinics and still not come across a lot of the stuff that gets discussed here. I see the same thing Wade described above- officials for far many more years than myself that still subscribe to various rule myths, or exhibit poor mechanics or rule knowledge.
We all probably attend local association rule meetings and many have been to a clinic or two and consider ourselves "educated". But if you really want to improve you have to avail yourself of the opportunity to educate yourself. You can do that by looking beyond the basic training that most local associations provide.
These forums are one such resource to help you improve and I wish that more umpires would take advantage of the opportunity.
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