Strikes & Outs

[LilLeaguer]

Originally posted by umpduck11
LilLeaguer:

What is the first thing you notice about
a police officer? My bet is that it is their
manner of dress. The way you are dressed makes
a strong impression on people when they first
meet you,and on people who do not know you well.
If you present yourself in a professional manner,
you will be respected more than if you looked
shabby. I have seen in action the fact that a sloppy
looking umpire will get more questioning of his calls,
and more sh*t in general.
Besides,the way I dress is a matter of pride to me.
The better I look,the better I feel......

Sure, for normal grooming that anybody will notice (e.g. uniform, neatness, etc.) But we care about some pretty arcane stuff.

Following the police analogy, in The Blue Knight Joseph Wambaugh's character complains about the change in night-stick handles from leather straps to rubber rings. It was important to him and how he felt as an officer, but I'm sure that nobody on his beat even noticed.

If umpires didn't make a big deal about it, I doubt if anybody else would notice a base umpire using a brush to clean off a base, either. So, why do we care?

-LL