[Striker991]

My post was not to argue what the perceived difference was between paid and volunteer umpires. I know how most of you feel already, and it is a battle I don't care to fight. That is why I want to direct the communication away from that. The discussion I wanted to start is, if you feel that way, why not help? Obviously, most of you feel strongly that volunteer umpires are not capable of the same quality as paid umpires. I agree that is your perception, whether earned or not. My point is that instead of just complaining about it and continously pointing out how bad they are, why not assist them by directing them to training opportunities that are available and the potential they have to get better?
My question in my last post was meant to get a reaction...are you afraid that by assisting others you may lose status, assignments, money, etc? In the martial arts, one cannot advance until they have proven that they can effectively teach others the same skills they have learned. Hmmmm....not a bad idea, eh?
Of course, it is easier just to sit back and pat yourselves on the back. Kind of hard to call an out with a twisted arm, though.
And Tee, you have helped me, and I am not calling your knowledge and skill into question. I am calling out the people that find it easier to complain than to actually do something helpful. I know how you feel about volunteer umpires. I can't change that. But, you do help; at least you have helped me.
My ultimate point was that Mr. Campagna threw that comment into his writing for no other reason than to put a bad light on volunteers. There was no other reason for it. It was not helpful, it was not insightful, it was insulting. If he meant to help me become a better umpire, it totally turned me off to anything else he has to say. I learned nothing FROM HIM from that point forward.

[Edited by striker991 on Feb 28th, 2003 at 09:38 AM]