Quote:
Originally posted by Drifter
"I don't need the hassles, and neither do the competitors."
This quote is the bottom line. I've been blackballed one time. It was from a coach for whom I'd never worked a game. He got the uniform numbers wrong and blackballed the wrong guy. Since the umpires are never notified of a coach's blackball, I only found out about it 2 years later quite by accident.
I can't say I honestly cared one way or the other. One assignment is pretty much like another in my book.
Vern
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Vern,
Would you have cared if that coach had got the uniform numbers right and you were still red lined?
The problem I have with this practice is that it is really a defacto way of attempting to unfairly influence the outcome of a game. I'm sure that at least some competitors would object to that if they truly thought it through.
A coach who says he doesn't want you around is not going to do it, most of the time, simply because he doesn't like you. Ask Carl Childress if that is or isn't so. It is my understanding that, in the NFHS system at least, the coach has a limited number of such "red lines" he can draw through umpire's names on the assignor's sheet. Why waste them on strictly personal issues?
I believe that most coaches would be much more likely to use the "black ball" if they felt their team would benefit by not having this umpire or that call their games. Maybe it's because the guy won't call high curves when the coach has a curve ball pitcher who can't break them early enough. Maybe it's because the guy gives a bit too much at the outside of the plate, and his weaker hitting team struggles as a result. Do you see the point I'm making here?
It doesn't matter whether the they are right or wrong in their assessments, coaches and players should NOT be able to set the tone for any game by helping to decide who does or doesn't get the opportunity to make the call. That's against the real spirit and intent of the game.
Cheers,
Warren Willson