Quote:
Originally posted by Tim C
We "old" guys seem to have come the farthest in the discussion (saying we would at least "help") and we don't call you or your partners names (arrogant).
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You're a piece of work, Tee. You took the first shots in this thread by stating that if we couldn't see a pulled foot at first by taking a simple step, lean, and peak, we should try officiating table tennis. That's big, fat arrogance my friend.
You also said that you can, "get your calls," if you understand the game and work at it, intimating that anyone who asks for help (which is a widely accepted mechanic nowadays) neither understands the game nor works at it. Once again, your arrogance shines through.
Arrogance. That's how umpires are seen in a general way by participants and spectators all over the world. They expect us to be arrogant because at one time arrogance was the way. Well, it's not anymore. The times they are a-changin'. Now, we train to understand our human limitations and overcome them, rather than arrogantly dismissing that they even exist. Today, we use the prescribed mechanics and we work as a team with our partners to overcome our limitations and maximum our coverage. We have heard the cries of those who employ us to adopt a more willing position to get the call right, and we heard.
Now, you can continue to umpire the old way. You'll still get jobs. After all, umpires are always needed. But will you be considered at the cutting edge of your profession and in the top 10% of your peers? Will you achieve the excellence many of us strive for? I don't think so.