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Was he refering to the proverbial father pulled from the stands turned umpire for the game? If that's what he meant then I have to agree. Fathers tend to be nervous, afraid they'll upset somebody on their team or the other team or that they'll have to make the game winning call and their nervousness shows making everyone else afraid he'll blow it too(except, often enough, the kids). They generally don't give you a very good game compaired to someone who has no vested interest in either team.
If that's not what he was refering to then he is full of s***. Any umpire that takes the time and effort to learn the game and how to call it is an umpire paid or not. All umpires I know do it for love of the game, the money is just an added bonus. A necessary added bonus to do some of the leagues we do, right Ed? Many of us paid umpires do our youth and fundraiser games for free and I'm sure that many of you unpaid umps would take the money if offered. Would many of us do adult ball for free? Probably not,they don't need our charity. Would we do youth games for free if asked? Probably say yes more often than not but it's like any charitable act, don't overdo how often you ask us. Jim
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