WORST THINGS YOU'VE SEEN AN UMPIRE DO

[jxt127]

Worst thing I ever saw. Well I didn't actually see it.

Late August a nice warm late Sunday afternoon 6:40 PM. Kids are in the pool. Wife has the steaks all nicely marinated - you get the picture of domestic bliss here. I've assured that my umpiring is done for another year.

I've just lit the BBQ when the phone rings. Seems the blue didn't show up for the regional final and the league pres wants me to hustle down there and do it. Gee thanks, now i'm in hot water even before I leave for the park. Not the extra-warm reception I get for being late for game - and no to the coaches/fans it does not matter that I was not scheduled to work this game.

Sigh.

[David B]

Originally posted by my3sons
The worst thing I have seen an umpire do is critize another official in public or in private for that matter. I think that far outways any mistake made on the field, because most of the mistake made on the field where learned from someone else.

Learned from someone else???

Don't think there's much merit there. I remember after playing ball for 12 years and starting to umpire - I learned that I didn't know a whole lot about the game.

But, that's why we have rule books.

After reading it I learned that I didn't know much about the game afer all.

I don't learn much from others mistakes unless it is discussed in a meeting or forum where the rules can be discussed, and then applied.

And then I'm not going to pay much attention to another umpire unless he's proven himself and has my respect as a fine umpire,

but I learn a lot from my OWN mistakes.

That makes me get in the book and read so I won't make the same mistake again.

Thanks
David

[ChrisSportsFan]

Please don't ask me why I did this but; no one on and no outs. Ground ball to 2nd baseman, I curled inside the bag so far that I had to duck the throw. Luckily the 2nd baseman made the throw and 1st baseman was able to make the catch.

[Tim C]

"The worst thing I have seen an umpire do is critize another official in public or in private for that matter. I think that far outways any mistake made on the field, because most of the mistake made on the field where learned from someone else."

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The general errors I see on the field (and also on sites such as this) are not learned behavior.

Most umpire errors come from failing to understand what is happening around them and how it can (does) impact the game.

The ONLY way an umpire can learn is to be criticized. Nothing is worth doing unless it is worth measuring. Evaluation and a critical review are parts of growing, it may not be trendy to disagree with you but I do.

[Lawrence_Dorsey]

I would agree with Tee. Rarely do I have a partner or a trusted observer come to me after a game with criticism, be it constructive or otherwise. Last year I was fortunate enough to work a couple of games with my UIC for American Legion in my area. He gave me several things to think about. The same thing occurred when I worked a Legion game with a NCAA umpire. I know that I improved in the areas they mentioned and I didn't take it the wrong way.

We all need input (call it criticism or advice) because none of us are as good as we could be. In other words, we should all be looking to get better and the input from partners can only help.

Lawrence

[w_sohl]

Originally posted by ChrisSportsFan
Please don't ask me why I did this but; no one on and no outs. Ground ball to 2nd baseman, I curled inside the bag so far that I had to duck the throw. Luckily the 2nd baseman made the throw and 1st baseman was able to make the catch.

Don't feel too bad, I did the same thing once and had I not ducked I would have taken a ball to the head. As it was I still almost got nailed in the back.

[w_sohl]

Originally posted by my3sons
The worst thing I have seen an umpire do is critize another official in public or in private for that matter. I think that far outways any mistake made on the field, because most of the mistake made on the field where learned from someone else.

Personally I want the critisim, from one who is qualified to give such critisim. How else am I supposed to learn what I am doing wrong and improve on the things I am doing sorta right. The one thing that bugs me the most is when there is a game after mine (basketball) and the experienced officials come in and I ask them what they thought and they tell me I did a nice job. That is not what I want to hear, I want to know what I did wrong, tell me that or at least tell me that you didn't really pay attention to the game so you really can't comment. Those are the things I want to hear.

[GerryB]

Babe Ruth game, I was the BU bases empty, ground ball to short, a rather routine out at first, I thought. First base coach starts giving me the buisness, I replied "Coach, it wasn't even that close.", the PU, having coming up the line like he should, then yells at me - "don't talk to coaches like that!". I was stunned. I didn't talk to him during the game, and afterwards he wouldn't talk - threw his stuff in his car and drove off.

[radwaste50]

Originally posted by w_sohl

Personally I want the critisim, from one who is qualified to give such critisim. How else am I supposed to learn what I am doing wrong and improve on the things I am doing sorta right. The one thing that bugs me the most is when there is a game after mine (basketball) and the experienced officials come in and I ask them what they thought and they tell me I did a nice job. That is not what I want to hear, I want to know what I did wrong, tell me that or at least tell me that you didn't really pay attention to the game so you really can't comment. Those are the things I want to hear.

I agree that the input of others can be valuable in a one on one situation. I believe the comment was regarding an open criticism in a public arena. Such as sitting in the stands criticizing someone officiating a game to people in public.

[PS2Man]

Originally posted by w_sohl
Personally I want the critisim, from one who is qualified to give such critisim. How else am I supposed to learn what I am doing wrong and improve on the things I am doing sorta right. The one thing that bugs me the most is when there is a game after mine (basketball) and the experienced officials come in and I ask them what they thought and they tell me I did a nice job. That is not what I want to hear, I want to know what I did wrong, tell me that or at least tell me that you didn't really pay attention to the game so you really can't comment. Those are the things I want to hear.

That could be because they do not feel comfortable giving you a lot of negative comments. If you just read this board alone it is obvious that some here cannot ever take a negative comment thrown their way. You might have to press for more specific comments. I will admit I do not just give negative advice freely.

[IveGot3rd]

The only problem with getting critqued by a more senior official is that merely because they've been doing it 'longer' doesn't mean they do it 'better'. Everybody makes mistakes. Some of the things I've learned most completely and can recall the quickest on the field is a situation that I screwed up before. My first season I adopted a habit I read in one of Mr. Childress' works. Keep a diary, evaluate yourself frankly after each game.

Worst thing I've seen an umpire do: After working together one other time (I did the plate), my partner tried to wriggle out of his turn at the plate by saying "I forgot my cup." I offered him a spare and amazingly, his turned up. Great guy .

IG3

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I will tell you up front that my son's coach did not protest the game because we were getting killed as it was, but:

The game was a Toledo P&R boys' 12U game (this league was a USSSA sanctioned league and therefore was using OBR).

We were in the field during the middle innings of a six inning game when our opponent's best batter hit a rope down the right field line. While the batter was between 2nd and 3rd base, the throw from our 2nd baseman went over the 3rd baseman's head into dead ball territory. The umpire correctly awarded the B/R 3rd and Home. But here is where it got good. The B/R never touched 3rd or Home, he just went straight from being between 2nd and 3rd into the dugout. We appealed the B/R at 3rd and our appeal was denied. We the appealed the B/R at Home and our appeal was agains denied. We then asked why our appeals were denied and we were toled that the B/R did not have to touch any of the awarded bases because they were just that, awarded bases.

MTD, Sr.

[DG]

I was working the plate in a HS game with a guy who had been working college games for over 30 years. I got 5 tips after the game and I really appreciated it. I adopted 4 of the 5 (all tips are not good).

I have worked with several guys who show balls on the right hand and strikes on the left.

[danreeves1973]

Saw this last week at my nephews HS game, I was in the stands.

Ball hit deep to RF, looks like its going to clear the fence, BU gives the HR signal, BUT, the ball hits the top rail of the fence, bounces back into the field of paly, and RF catches it AFTER it bounced off the rail and before it hits the ground. BU calls it a catch, batter out, all hell breaks loose. Was the last out so game over.

Now, was the BU right or wrong? I looked it up, I say it was not a catchable ball, was no longer in flight when it hit the fence rail, therefore no catch, its still live. I' a first year ump calling HS this eyar, just want to make sure I'm right if I think I'm right.

[bluezebra]

Originally posted by danreeves1973
Saw this last week at my nephews HS game, I was in the stands.

Ball hit deep to RF, looks like its going to clear the fence, BU gives the HR signal, BUT, the ball hits the top rail of the fence, bounces back into the field of paly, and RF catches it AFTER it bounced off the rail and before it hits the ground. BU calls it a catch, batter out, all hell breaks loose. Was the last out so game over.

Now, was the BU right or wrong? I looked it up, I say it was not a catchable ball, was no longer in flight when it hit the fence rail, therefore no catch, its still live. I' a first year ump calling HS this eyar, just want to make sure I'm right if I think I'm right.

1..Don't give a signal UNTIL something happens. FIRST GOOF.

2..You're right, he's wrong. Ball hits anything but a player, it's no longer in flight. GOOF NUMBER TWO.

3..Was there no appeal, or protest?

Bob