Interesting IFF Call

[cbfoulds]

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser

Let's just acknowledge for everyone that yours is the wrong way.

If you are trying to move up the food chain, then act like the umpire you want to be. Top umpires do not have between-inning conversations with fans and generally don't talk with their partners either (there are reasons why you may want to occasionally have a few words with your partner, but even this is rare).

When I work the bases, I head to short right field between innings and stand at reasonable attention until the ball is thrown down, at which point I trot to the A position to start the next inning. This is how most trained umpires work. The closer the fence, the farther away I stand. Why would I ever want to be approachable to someone outside the fence while the game is occurring? I have a job to do and they're not part of it.

Many games I wish my partner well after the plate meeting and we don't talk again until after the game ends and I'm shaking his hand.

Fair enough. He11, I'll even acknowledge that the "trained umpire" way is the only "correct" way.

But let's also acknowledge that the training is predicated upon the existence of conditions that render the entire discussion moot. Not too much opportunity for interaction between the fans and the umpires in your typical pro or major college ball park - fans seldom can get themselves within 10-20 feet of the A position in the highest levels of ball.

Lets also agree that some "real" umpires sometimes find themselves working in, shall we say, "casual" conditions: small community park, everyone knows everyone, including the umpires, it really is all about the kids and having fun... you can remember that kinda ball, can't you?

And while we're at it, let's admit that "ignore the fans" is a damn sight harder to do that it is to say or write. The current top-rated ump [does D1 college for another group] in my assn. got himself suspended by our board a while back because the bully-ragging from the "cheap seats" along the fence got so bad that he lost it & made some comments and gestures [from the A position] that drew complaints from our client's dugout on the 3dB side.
Talking to that bunch of apes probably wouldn't have helped, but sometimes acknowledging a fan comment or inquiry can defuse an otherwise ugly situation, and is less work than spending energy trying to shut 'em out.

Will it help you "move up"? No, if you want to move up the food chain, best act the part.

Does it make you a sorry, pathetic joke if, on occasion, you speak to a fan during the game? Boy, I hope not.

And, BTW, like you, Rich: if a fan comes up to the "locker room" between our vehicles after the game and is polite, I'll explain all they want. I DO recomend this approach.