Thanks gordon, but I was sort of inquiring about BigUmp and Rich.
I don't necessarily agree that : crap games = more ejections . I umpire a bit for an adult league and don't find it necessary to dump guys very often.
For many years, I was that guy who complained a lot about people complaining about the job I do. I would have called them "rats" and the other popular names some like to use around here. I would stand around more or less bragging about how I "took care of that rat" who DARED to question my supreme authority and judgment on the field.
Simply, I was not a very good official. I was making just about as many right call as I do now. But, I had a chip on my shoulder, a lousy "I am in charge" attitude, and came across as very unapproachable.
There is a saying amongst a group of people that work together to solve their common problem. It is: If you keep doing what you have been doing, you will keep getting what you have been getting.
Another way you can put that is: If you are at odds with people all over the place, remember, YOU were always there.
Another way I will put it is this: If you are resorting to calling coaches/players/fans, "rats", and find that they are complaining a lot, YOU are that reason.
Simply, I am doing games with those same "rats". Once I changed MY attitude about umpiring, the complaining mostly went away! PERIOD!!!
Many excellent officials tried to guide me to this early on. I wouldn't listen. I always had an excuse, which was usually how wrong they were, and how they should never question my judgment and authority. I truly believed that they should "respect" me no matter what! Looking back, I never did much to EARN that respect, but I sure expected it!
I recently umpired a league playoff game for the high school summer league we have here. The Head Coach of the home team is a guy I have know for about 18 years now. His team must win this game to get into the state tournament. I have done numerous plate jobs in important games for his teams through the years. He has almost never said a thing about anything to me. He has come out and asked about calls, but has never shown me up, prolonged the confrontation, or yelled at me.
So, I am doing this game. I am not seeing the ball too well that day. They just installed artificial turf, and they put it all the way up to the plate. This was the first game they played on it, and the stuff is still very shiny. It doesn't help that it was a early evening game, and I face due West. I just had a heck of a time seeing the ball.
I know I made some questionable calls. I knew IT WAS ME.
This coach who almost never says a word, he is starting to chirp, which is very unlike him towards me (although, I have heard him go ballistic on others...) I ask him to stop. He keeps going. I tell that is enough. He keeps going. I take the mask off and tell him "No more Tom." He stops, and doesn't say another word the rest of the game about pitches.
I have him again in state semi-final game. Before the plate meeting, as I was walking by him I say "Hey Tom, you aren't grumpy today are you?". He chuckles and says "I am NEVER grumpy" with a big ol' sh*t grin. Another game without a word from him.
Is that a show of respect? I never once told him that he cannot argue balls and strikes. I never gave off a "Do it or else" aire to him. I even got to poke a little fun at him and have him joke back at himself. I have MANY other stories like this.
The point I am making is simply, if you are at odds with people on the field, CHANGE WHAT YOU ARE DOING! I DO NOT see the top notch officials in my area having much of a hard time at all with people complaining. People just don't complain that much when these guys work at game. These guys GET the highest degree of respect and courtesy because they GIVE the highest degree of respect and courtesy.
We are arbiters. Part of this job means that people are going to be upset by our decisions. That is the FACT of the advocation we do. If you expect to be successful in doing this job, you HAVE to learn how to persuade people to do what you want without making the situation worse. That requires quite a bit of humility, a calm nature, and high self esteem. You have to be ABOVE the little stuff. While I pay attention to all things on the field, I am not going to get offended because a guy come unglued a little bit. I am not going to call him a "rat" because he *****ed a bit. These guys are usually fierce competitors, and strong emotions wane and flow.
I never suggest not taking care of business that needs to be taken care of. I simply suggest that you don't do things that make it worse. Being standoffish, arrogant, pretentious, and unapproachable get you into trouble. Being lazy, careless, and inconsistent come next. Take care of THOSE things and I can guarantee you that the amount of complaining will be so little that you just won't mention it much.