The fact that I have no children allows me to be an impartial observer while I watch little 11-year-old Timmy's mom and dad gush about how he's going to be the next Barry Bonds if those bad, bad umpires wouldn't ring little Timmy up on that outside corner strike three.

Parents are ludicrous these days. I *was* a child once and it's amazing how people in my generation would get yelled at by a coach and then get yelled at by our parents for having to get yelled at by the coach. Parents today want to get the coach fired and tell their kid how bad of a coach the coach is.

And Dave is a great partner. We've umpired together and if all my umpiring partners were as good as Dave I'd never have good stories to tell. Well, there'd be a few, because there are still players, coaches, and parents to talk about.

And Dave has a few kids, so tell me what's wrong with his perspective.

--Rich

[/B][/QUOTE]

The fact that I have no children allows me to be an impartial observer while I watch little 11-year-old Timmy's mom and dad gush about how he's going to be the next Barry Bonds if those bad, bad umpires wouldn't ring little Timmy up on that outside corner strike three.

And Dave has a few kids, so tell me what's wrong with his perspective.

--Rich [/B][/QUOTE]

I don't know that you were in partial in the question posed. I have several friends who don't have children and they agree at times they aren't impartial-in fact it is quite the opposite there are times and based on the circumstances there are some who just don't get it. It also doesn't mean that individuals with children are 100% objective either. At times there is no logical reason for the way people behave when it comes to competitive sports. When it comes to the adults both with or without children everyone's behavior has a tendancy to take a life of it's own.

Seriously, both of you made way to much out of a very simple question. Remember this player has absolutely no relation to me personally. He is just a nice kid with a great disposition and for only being 11yrs old he has the potential to play a good game, that is however if he doesn't become frustrated.

If anyone here felt that my question and/or the replies were out of line, it was never my intent to disrespect the umpires. I just wanted to hear opinions from someone other than the volunteer coaches who have forgotten why they signed up to coach a team. However, don't you think if coaches at this level start this kind of nonsense eventually kids start to lose interest and drop out of the game altogether?

I was certainly caught off with your responses and felt that no one in this forum should be made to feel they can't ask questions. But to tell someone their ignorant and doing this for everyone to see was wrong. I believe that this is why there is an email button which is where I think your negative and insulting comments should have been directed. So if you are going to do it keep it between the person your trying to make a point with not for the general public. It just invalidates the point we were all trying to make in the first place...

Now, now Dave and Rich. If you keep picking on the new kids in the neighborhood, no one will want to play with you.

Be nice to the rookie.

Thanks I think! This was an experience, diversity truly played a factor in this arena. Putting things into perspective definately added a different twist to my outlook and shocking actions of others in the world officiating outside of my home state.