[IRISHMAFIA]

Watching the local team playing in the LLWS (MidAtlantic), as usual, I'm watching the umpires, not the game.

Notes of interest:

First base umpire looks like he's trying to take off on safe calls. At first, I just thought maybe he made an excited call. Then I watched him make every call in the same manner. His timing was great, his signal needs work.

Plate umpire was sweating and it was very noticable with the heather grey pants. I almosts felt embarassed for the guy on national TV.

A problem I have with ASA showed in this game. All the time I spend teaching and correcting umpires in an effort to get them to use the hammer as prescribed by ASA's umpire mechanics and I'm getting phone calls from umpires at nationals stating that they are being told to do it differently. The PU in today's LL game reminded me of that.

Rant on!

I don't care how the MLB umpires call strikes or how the NCAA umpires like to emulate them (I'm sure the Kellers will like to jump in on this one), but I'm tired of being told that, as an ASA umpire, I should adjust my signals and uniform to look like the big boys because that is what everyone else is doing. I got over that when I graduated high school and cannot think of any good reason to model things in my life after someone else.

I believe the method of signaling a strike (or out, for that matter) with a low, abbreviated hammer in front of the body looks like an aggressive signal made in an arrogent manner. An umpire who makes a call like that literally seems to be shaking a fist at someone.

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard at a school or clinic (and I'm sure every umpire on this board has probably heard this also) that what comes out of your mouth is for the players in the vicinity of the call and the signal is for everyone else, from the outfielders and the players in the dugout to the spectators and the media. Well, hiding a signal in front of one's body fails to accomplish that.

I do not expect umpires to be robotic and can appreciate an umpire being comfortable with their calls and signals. But I do expect them to be made in a professional and effective manner to accomplish the purpose for which they exist.

Rant off!

Thanks,