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Originally Posted by bobbybanaduck
the game has changed over the years and so has the umpiring. certain things used to be done certain ways in the bigs, and they have gotten vastly different as the game has evolved. my question to you is; why would you not try to evolve as an amateur umpire as the professional ones do each year?
there are guys every year that go to one of the umpire schools and either already are frequent posters on sites like these, or become frequent posters after they are introduced to the umpiring world and find their way here. furthermore, there are guys on these boards that currently teach at or are in direct contact with current instructors and have access to all the current teachings. why would you not want to work the way these guys were taught or are teaching?
the things that are taught at the schools are the result of hundreds of evaluations being done each year and are tuned to how the game has evolved. there are always mentions of the "old guard" on here, and i see posts made by this guard all the time. while some things they offer are invaluable and come from years of experience, many of the things the "old guard" do and teach are things that are just plain outdated.
why would you be satisfied doing things the way you've been doing them for years and not updating your techniques as often as possible? time honored techniques are a thing of the past. we live in the information age and the available information should be taken advantage of. in your regular profession, do you attend clinics, seminars, training sessions and the like to get better at what you do? why not employ the same theory to your umpiring?
rant over.
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Tom:
The term "old guard" is often used here to disparage anyone with whom a poster may disagree. In reality, many of the so-called "old guard" are more in your camp and many of those b!tching about the old guard continue to think like LL umpires from years past.
You will find the most of the posters here with direct exposure to proschool methods, PBUC recommendations and MLB directives and memos are those who get accused of being "old guard."
We need a better term. That one has been abscounded with and twisted to fit a political agenda.
Now to the meat of your post. I agree wholeheartedly. It makes little sense to fight change when it is being driven by those in control. Most of the change I've seen in mechanics, rules and philosophy have improved umpiring. A couple, not so much, but, again, not worth battling over.
Things change, and sometimes the change is selective, and sometimes things change back. Take the recent ejection of Larry Bowa for violating the coach's box. Some posters here would declare that a symptom of the old guard, when it reality it was the direct result of a NEW directive.
MLB, on one hand, wants kinder gentler umpires, and on the other directs strict and ultimate. It requires staying abreast of current issues as well as philosophy to determine which avenue to take and when.
Again, most of those here that devote the time and energy in doing that are among those accused of being "old guard."