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Have you ever heard to gear your game for the level of play that you are calling? Well, I've done adult baseball for some 20+ years and I gear my game according to the level of ball and its expectations of umpires at that level.
As stated in the earlier post, adult baseball is highly informal. Many players, umpires, and fans know each other from years of association. While many leagues don't condone use of tobacco, many accept it. They'll allow a player to step behind the dugout and knock down a smoke, or accept a wad of chew on the field. While many leagues say no alcohol after the game, many players indulge after the game when the games are held in public parks and next door to a barbecue with 50 people all holding beer cans. The police seem to have no problem with that action. Still, these players should not be popping beers in the the local HS parking lot after a game. We don't call these "technical balks" on the adults. They are overlooked for the sake of enjoyment of the participants.
When Texas has many days of 90 degree temps and several days exceeding 100 degrees, our league has elected to allow our base officials to wear heather gray shorts. Does it look professional---no. Does it meet the needs of the league---yes. Certain things our league allows helps to attract umpires. Some of those may deal with personal issues. Our umpires fraternize with the players (and sometimes the fans) far more than they would in any scholastic contest. Yet, they don't alter their umpiring duties as a result of these leniencies.
What's more important to our league is to try our best to be accurate in our calls, be knowledgeable in our game rules and field coverage, be responsible with the players and league (be on-time and maintain schedules), and be patient with the players. Being patient with the players usually means providing warnings on things such as their inappropriately arguing a call or commenting (including such as drawing a line in the dirt) or perhaps not forfeiting a game when we know a player is en route and a mile away. That does not mean that we expect umpires to be abused, but rather, to be patient, know where to draw the line, and be realistic in their game management for the level of play we umpire. We realize that the not only are the players not professionals, but neither are the umpires. We don't try to emulate the pros. We are a recreational league, and we want the players and umpires to enjoy their association with the league.
When we reach playoffs, all-star games, and tournaments, we expect a little added professionalism from the officials as these league events are a little more special vs. regular league games. Our umpires are able to provide that. The higher rated events of the league are typically handled more common with calling scholoastic ball where discussions and behaviors of umpires should show greater professionalism.
Freix
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