I am curious as to how many of you have called games on a field where the ground rules of the field forbid the use of sunflower seeds by players and coaches.

If you have been in this situation, how did you handle it?

I cannot imagine ejecting someone for non compliance for such a trivial thing, but I have been told to do so if the situation arises.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As umpires, we are the only ones in the world expected to be perfect on our first day on the job, and improve from there!

Tim.

Do you have to check for cups and dirty ears too. Im not being critical of you but, aren't some getting carried away here. Oh well. As far as being perfect, this kind of make us step backwards, not imporving, when we start being the grounds keepers too.

Sounds like a "mouth" rule, not a ground rule, and no, never been to a field where sunflower seeds are forbidden. Why would they be?

i once worked with a smitty who announced at the plate conference that no infielders or pitchers are allowed to chew gum because it is a choking hazard, outfielders are just fine though. sunflower seeds fell under his rule as well.

oh yeah, he had a prostethic right arm with a two piece mechanical claw on the end. i am dead serious.

No sunflower seeds on the field? You're kidding me right? That's like telling MLB players no dipping or chewing...it's just part of the game. And by the way, 2 different people complained at me today for dipping skoal while I umpired, should I respect this?

I have umpired in a couple of domes where they are forbidden, because unlike on an outdoor field, they don't decompose or get chopped up by the lawn mower.

Hello Lance, you must be kidding?

Lance? I don't understand the Lance thing. The kids were only 10 years old so that's why I ask if I should respect it b/c it could be a bad example to them. What would you do DG?

Sunflower seeds
 

I actually work in a relatively new complex where gum and sunflower seeds are prohibited in the dugouts. I couldn't figure it out either, but the only thing that comes to mind is that the dugouts are sunken (like MLB dugouts) and they don't have a cleaning crew between games. I have no idea why as I always thought the gum/seeds were part of the game too.

However, in the little over a year that this place has been open I've never seen anyone eating sunflower seeds ;) (if you're catching my drift.) :cool:

Yeah....

No one would ever decide that an MLB player can't use tobacco.

Don't listen to them. Just pull out your flask and take another swig.

Chug-a-Lug
 

Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug
Makes you want to chew your skoal
Burns your a$$ don't ya know
chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug
;)

Speaking of...
 

Did anyone else read the story where's there's a shortage of Sunflower seeds this year??? Could that be the reason for the field ban on seeds?! :D

I would certainly never dip, smoke, or drink while I was on the field. It's a big no-no around here, maybe your area is different.

Seeds
 

I work a couple of fields where they use turf not grass and signs around the field say seeds and gum are prohibited.
probably for the care reasons previously stated

So I personally follow the rules and expect field management/coach to enforce this requiement.
I am there for baseball rules (or football as the case may be)

[Edited by radwaste50 on Jul 25th, 2005 at 11:30 AM]

Most youth leagues prohibit tobacco use by anyone associated with the game -- coaches and umpires included.

Re: Speaking of...
 

Yea, wasn't that in the Antartica Daily News. Something about an short growing season. Interesting piece.

Re: Re: Speaking of...
 

Something like that....
http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/8423759

I did a playoff game this year on an turf field where they are forbidden, but on a regular field, there is no reason to disallow it.

Tobacco is also forbidden by major league baseball and the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues for all minor leagues. The "tobacco ban" policy takes up three pages in the PBUC manual. (7.27)

Hooray!

Major League players on rehab with a minor league are exempted from the rule.

Boo!

My association forbids umpires from using sunflower seeds during a game.

Hooray!

State law forbids any tobacco on any "school" field or stadium.

Horray!

I find out that one of my umpires is using tobacco during a game, at a minimum he has an a$$-chewing coming his way. If he persists, he will be sanctioned.

Heard a comment the other day...the ball field is an extension of the classroom.

I think that rings true for 99% of the umpires out there.

I guess it's alot different in East Tennessee. About 50% of the umpires dip or chew here, including the assignors and crew chiefs.

My, isn't your association a little anal retentive. Someone pass me a bag of seeds, please (but only if I'm working the bases).

I lived in Knoxville for 3 years and I NEVER worked with anyone who smoked or dipped on the field.

Ha! You're kidding me right? That's the funniest thing I've heard in a while. Who did you work for?

And I'm not talking about smoking. That would be a sight, to see an umpire smoking on the field. I'm just talking about dipping or chewing. I would say it's a good 40-50%

Rich: With such an attitude, we wouldn't certify you in our association.

Our umpires, about 120, overwhelmingly supported the ban - in a vote. We think chewing seeds on the field is the ultimate in non-professionalism.

"You're out!! Oops, sorry about the seeds, man."

Well,
 

All I know is that no umpire in our association is allow to chew tobacco.

It is a warning, followed by suspension, followed by firing.

I know nothing of other groups but I would be skeptical that 40 to 50% of any umpire association chew on the field.

We have six artifical turf fields that all do not allow seeds.

Exaggeration is an art -- and I have said that one million times.

This is summer ball I am speaking of Tim. I'm sure for high school and college it is different. This is no exaggeration though, it's East Tennessee man, there shouldn't be any suprise there.

ohhh summer ball. toss out all of the norms, its summer!

how is what you do (as an umpire) different when the seasons change, other than wearing a jacket/coat or shirt?

Yeah brian, be a smart-a$$ like every other umpire on here please. As if we haven't already heard enough. It's not funny anymore man. Summer ball as in not high school or college season ball anymore buddy. Big difference. Many times it is not as professional. Everybody knows the difference. Good try at trying to be funny though, it almost worked.

All of our summer leagues have the same rules regarding tobacco as FED. (High school ball, for you, Dude) I'll bet many of yours do as well.

Additionally, summer ball uses high school fields. The rules regarding tobacco on school propery apply year around, not just the school year.

I don't doubt some porch sittin' banjo playing tobacky dippin toothless umpire in Tennesee may ignore the rules, but I'm sure they're in place anyway.

I don't think kids ages 9-14 use FED rules Garth. These are the majority of the kids I umpire in the summer due to not many high-school and college aged tournaments. In those tournaments for high-school aged kids, we do use FED rules. I've already made this clear enough Garth and I think everybody has gotten the point but you. I specifically cited that I was doing 10 year old baseball. You just wanted to jump at the chance of being another smart-a$$. Almost worked

Wow. You apparently can't read. Nowhere, and allow me to repeat that, nowhere did I say that any kids use FED rules. What I said, was: "All of our summer leagues have the same rules regarding tobacco as FED."

I'll interpet that for you, and I'll type slowly. You can even move your lips when you read, if that will help.

All of our summer leagues, which are not FED, have rules that are the same as FED in regards to the tobacco rules.

Now then, as you can clearly see, it matters not to my post what age of baseball you are doing. Ten year olds, eight year olds, six year olds. Whatever is comfortable for you, it means nothing to what I said.

If you still have a problem understanding, let me know and I'll type it phonetically for you. There is no need to make anything up and claim I said something I didn't. We'll work with you on this.

When you say they have the same guidelines as FED, this leads other readers to believe that it is older kids at the high school level. I don't think all of the parks make sure and look up the FED policy on tobacco use and say "that's what we're gonna do". It seems as though you're the one taking things out of context.

dudeinblue,

I gotta tell you man, if you were caught dipping during a youth game in ANY of the youth programs that I work games in, you would be sanctioned for the first offense and then asked not to return again EVER after the second offense.

I call games in LL, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Connie Mack, Stan Musial, and American Legion. All of these leagues have a stern policy regarding the use of tobacco products by participants, and yes we as umpires are to be considered participants in that we are the official league representitives in the game.

Dipping around 10 year old CHILDREN is reprehensibile IMO.
I have never done a game in the Pony or the Dixie youth baseball programs. Maybe those are the leagues you work, and they don't have such a policy. I just cant imagine that they don't.

The majority of the offials responding to this thread, if not all of them, have disagreed with you on this quite openly. You should take their advice to heart. The justification for your actions you have provided this board in regards to being from Tennessee is just plain weak!


Tim.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As umpires we are the only ones in the world expected to be perfect on our first day on the job, and improve from there.

Guys, guys, guys . . .
 

I would suggest that you (we) stop filling in this poor souls ego.

dudeinblue is a fuking idiot. His own posts prove it over-and-over.

ANY umpire that would dip in a small ball game has proven what a fukstick he is.

Really, why should ya'll waste time with this fool.

Just my opinion . . . let dudeinblue's posts prove himself.

He is the only umpire on the internet that makes dumbdrum look smart.

T

Point taken BigUmp. You are exactly right. It just must be different where everybody else works. It is not a weak excuse saying that I'm from Tennessee. How can it be a weak excuse when half of the guys you umpire with dip or chew during the games? I'm not trying to justify my actions and I do take the others advice to heart. I have not been informed on any such policy in any tournament I have called in. I'm not trying to make excuses, but it's just different in East Tennessee I guess. I'm telling you the honest truth.

yes, yes it is.

so if half of the guys you umpire with wear ball bags on the bases, its ok for you to do so as well?

i just saw tee's post, and he is right, im done with this guy for now

Tim Tim Tim
 

This forum is for umpires regardless of the level or regardless of how much they know. The point of this forum is to discuss and to learn. I have learned alot reading other posts and seeing replies to mine. You act as though since not everybody does not know as much as you who has been umpiring for a number of years, then they are automatically a freaking idiot as you previously posted. I give my opinion just as you do, and I have not found one reply from you where you gave good, solid advice. It has all been smart-a$$ comments to other posters. If your knowledge is that great of the game, then please share it with us as we are eager to learn from a veteran such as you. You have been on my case since day 1 when all I am trying to do is discuss the game of baseball with other umpires on here to see if I can learn something. I thought it was weird when confronted about dipping as it has never been done in my 3 years of umpiring. My knowledge of the game is still increasing and I have alot to learn as I have shared in previous posts my credibility. I am not a bad umpire and have been complimented many times, and been offered many times to umpire for different high school and collegiate associations. Can you please cut me some slack and respect me as I will try to respect you as well considering your experience? I take the advice others give me to heart, but all I have from you are smart-a$$ comments. I'm sorry if I sound that stupid Tim, I just want to learn and become the best umpire I can

Brian
 

Quit acting like a big dog b/c you're not. You're newer to the forum than I am so you have proved absolutely nothing. Nobody cares what you think

Re: Brian
 

1. maybe not
2. 100% wrong
3. maybe not

dude wrote: <i>I don't think kids ages 9-14 use FED rules . . .</i>


Just in case you run across it, they do if they play AAU baseball.

Re: Tim Tim Tim
 

Dude,

Pause, read, react. You give your opinions based on three years of experience. I assure you Tim has more than three years of experience. You say you want to learn, but invariably your replies are "yeah-buts." You really are not ready to offer advice on many things in umpiring especially on game managment type issues. Don't be ashamed of that none of us were prepared after three years of umpiring.

Pause, read, react.

I haven't umpired AAU before. I am currently doing USSSA world series. Thanks for the advice though, I didn't know that

If you're done with me Brian, why did you respond? Also Tony, with my "yeah-buts", I try to pick people's brains. Is there something wrong with this. Do you just want me to say okay and shutup or ask questions and bring up "what if's"? I agree Tony, I have nothing to offer having just 3 years of experience under my belt. That's why I haven't given hardly any advice. Advice as in what you should or should not do. I respond with maybe what I would do and try to see what others think of that. I am not ashamed of this. If I were ashamed I would not be trying to get others opinions. Thanks for the advice

Gee Whiz Dude,
 

Just because Brian (not BRAIN, idiot) has only 16 posts on this site does not mean a thing in terms of senority.

Brian is a quality umpire and poster from a different site. He maybe new HERE but he is an incrediably accomplished umpire that you could learn from.

You, however, are stuck on being 20 . . .

No biggie, you will be one day measured on what "you could have been" as you will never reach the level of some of the posters here.

Sorry, we missed helping a guy that maybe could have been good.

Whataputz!

T

Read previous post Tim. I spelled out "Brian". The one earlier was a typo. And how am I supposed to know if he is a veteran umpire or not? There is no way to know Tim so thanks for informing that he is b/c now his advice to me will be taken more seriously. I know I won't reach the level of umpiring as some of you guys. I love umpiring, but I do not plan on doing it the rest of my life. However, if I umpire as long as you have hopefully I will be as knowledgable about the game and as good of an umpire as you are. Why don't you try to work with me Tim and try to make me great? Is it possible to speak with you without you being a smart-a$$ to me. Even if I say something stupid you can at least be polite and explain to me why I am being stupid. I'm trying to make peace bro, I hope you accept.

You beat me to this response. There are other summer leagues that play FED rules also, one I am familiar with plays FED from 9-18. I just finished working a state tournament for 16-18 year olds under FED rules.

One last try.
 

How about trying this, do not post anything unless you can put your post in the form of a question...a genuine question. Think about that for a minute...


...don't respond. If you want to pick my brain or Tim's brain or Brian's brain or anybody elses brain in any environment, how would you go about doing it? I think, if you are reflective for a minute, you will agree that you can do that onlyby asking a real question. One you really don't believe you know the answer to. Try it, I think you will find individuals will be more civil to you. If I'm wong you can flame be into eternity and I promise never to post a response to your posts again.

Good Lord. You really can't read. None of the facilities consulted the FED policy. I said that the leagues utilize school fields and that the policies that the schools (not FED, THE SCHOOLS) have on tobacco remain in effect year around.

I could not have taken anything out of context because I haven't attributed anything to you. Do you have a clue about anything you write?

I, too, will depart from this thread. I leave you with words of wisdom from our 16th president. You should consider them carefully and thoughtfully.

<i>"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
Abraham Lincoln</i>

Will do Tony. Thank you for being polite. I respect you for being the only one trying to work with me.

USSSA is HUGE around here, for girls fastpitch.

DG
 

USSSA is huge for youth baseball everywhere man. I'm sure the majority of umpires on here can testify to this. Will you please stop giving smart-a$$ comments, I've heard enough of those. USSSA is the route most competitive youth baseball teams are taking these days...at least in the southeast

Re: DG
 

So you have been everywhere man? Sorry, I call em like I see em. There is very little USSSA baseball being played in these parts. AAU rules the roost for summer travel teams (pre and post all star competition for various organizations) and ASSSU girls softball is pretty strong. I'm sure the majority of umpires here don't give a flip for your thoughts and you have the market on dumb*ss remarks. And I am in the Southeast, and have never seen or worked a USSSA baseball game. Too rare.

[Edited by DG on Jul 26th, 2005 at 12:27 AM]

I wouldn't want to work in your association, but you already knew that. I eat seeds about once a year. This year it was in the Netherlands a few weeks ago when it was de rigeur to be handed a bag on the way out to work the bases.

Why are you people so freaking uptight, anyway? And actually, I find this funny coming from a guy who would wear long-sleeved UnderArmour under a short sleeved uniform shirt. Talk about unprofessional....

As a three-time cancer victim, I prefer the long-sleeve Under Armour. It reduces the chances of skin cancer. I appreciate your concern and intuitive understanding of an area of the country about which you know nothing.

Oh, your ignorance is showing - again. TASO, because of our "southern exposure," permits long sleeves under the short-sleeved shirt. The uniform code requires red sleeves, which I use for TASO games. I generally wear the blue for USSSA, where we use red shirts.

At the state board meeting in Austin next week, I'll share your comments with the officers. I'm sure they will be pleased to hear your opinion though it's likely they have never heard of you.

The hits just keep on coming . . .
 

DIB wrote:

"USSSA is huge for youth baseball everywhere man."

I guess you know everything when you're from your neck of the woods and are 20.

USSSA for baseball is basically non-existent in my area. It is active for girl's softball however.

None of them subscribe to Officiating.com, eh?

Is dudeinblue really Dano from another board?? Sure seems like it - Dano loved USSSA and pi$$ed and moaned about people not being polite to him on that board too.

You know, it must be the time of the year Carl's meds need to be adjusted again.

And Dave, it could also be that Carl removed every article I ever wrote for Officiating.com during our last little spat. Which is fine with me, since I would hate to be mentioned in the same breath with any of the current baseball writers (with the exception of Tee, of course). Of course, if you look at the baseball page, it seems like the only other writer is good ole' Roland, whose quality can't quite be put into words.

And Carl, I think the signature I've been using for the past few months sums up my feelings on everything else concerning you.

Forever Your Chum?

Just curious... what does USSSA stand for with regards to it's baseball leagues?

Forever Youth Calling?

I wondered which one of you children would burst first. Turned out to be you. Lah, me.

BTW: Based on your "anal retentive" jab and your other derogatory comments about me and my association, perhaps you're the one who needs help with meds.

One thing I know, dear boy: With your vast knowledge of baseball, you've proved you belong on McGriff's.

Chiming in late (REAL LATE)...

Any umpire I would see chewing tobacco on the field while umpiring would have zero credibility. I would question everything they did. VERY unprofessional!

Do the umpires in the majors chew?

Say what you like about Roland, but he does answer this question: United States Specialty Sports Association.

I wouldn't say that his new article (http://baseball.officiating.com/x/article/4439, which is way above average) is flattering to the organization, though.

I can't find articles on the paid section by either Garth or Rich. Does anybody know if I should complain to the management? Were they any good?

-LL

That just goes to show how dumb Carl is.

He lets Rollie write TERRIBLE articles all the time, while he removes past writers' quality articles.

***********

Once again on the Officiating.com baseball page, 4 of the last 5 articles were written by our pal Rollie. Maybe Officiating.com should change its name to Rollie.com.

[Edited by LDUB on Jul 26th, 2005 at 04:23 PM]

I'm confident in my baseball knowledge. And apparently my knowledge of baseball was good enough for you when you asked me (more than once) to come back as a writer for the paid site.

Say what you want, Carl, but I have enough ego to say confidently that anything I wrote is better than what passes for the tyipcal tripe on the baseball side of the paid site. Same goes for Garth. The only thing there worth reading these days is Tee's column.

Children? Burst? Please. I have no emotional attachment to you or officiating.com. Haven't for quite some time, if ever. I liked you a heckuva lot more 6-7 years ago when you weren't quite the megalomaniac you are now.

Re: DG
 

There may be one USSSA tourney here a year for teams from everywhere to say they've been to Florida. I don't even know if there is one a year. I haven't seen one locally. I guess we aren't part of everywhere.

1. It wasn't, hence the editor's notes. 2. It isn't. 3. Not true. 4. My point, which went over your head, was I had bet you guys couldn't keep from calling attention to your sophomoric tagline. I was right. Amazing! 5. You've been upset since you were passed over for the news editor's job. 6. Remember (everyone else will), I never mention you or your buddy - first, I never attack you or your buddy -first. I only respond when you pull stuff liked "anal retentive." I wonder what your daughter will think about that in twenty years. You're ok with that?

BTW: I can play, too.

YFOS (This one is as easy as yours was.)

Re: Re: DG
 

According to a Dallas Morning News special report on youth baseball organizations I read this past weekend, USSSA Baseball was formed in 1996, sponsors tournaments leading to world series tournaments in ages 6 - 18, and is headquartered in Kissimmee, Florida.

1. So Rich's knowledge wasn't good enough, so you had to put in editors notes? Then why do you fail to put notes in Rollie's articles when he gives bad advise?

You admitted on the forum that Rollie's "Mikey" article was meant for "advanced" umpires, or something to that extent. But no where in the article does it say that. If a rookie umpire reads that, he may very well go out and do what that article says.

2 & 3. 4 out of the last 5 baseball articles are Wiederlanders. Carl, I know Officiating.com is your website, and you want it to do well. But, you have to realize, as much as you would like it to be, the baseball section is not up to par. All you have is two writers. Rollie writes 3 or 4 articles for every 1 Tee writes. Rich and Garth wrote good articles. It is a shame that you would pull a stunt like this and remove their articles. You should be thanking Tee every chance you get, for he is the only reason to ever check out the Officiating.com baseball page.

4. Whatever.

5. News editor? You mean the guy who types out the NF rule changes once a year?

Here is a quote from the article announcing the Officiating.com news section:



So Officiating.com is awesome because every weekday there are new news stories for us to read?

A news story titled "NFHS Announces Officers of the NIAAA" was put out on 1-26-05. The next news story, "NFHS Coaches of the Year" does not appear untill 3-14-05. (Remember the news section covers all sports) I really am glad that I made the news section the first stop on my surf every day. I really enjoyed no new stories for a month and a half. What happned to new stories "every weekday"?


*****
Rich, email me, I have something for you.

Just to clarify, Mickey Mantle, Connie Mack, and Stan Musial are different age divisions in a single organization - AABC. They're not separate "leagues."

Three of the last five were written by Rollie. The next month looks like this: Roland, Emerling, Roland, Tee, Roland, Muller, Gallant, Roland, Emerling, Muller, Roland, Carl, Roland, Muller, Hickey, Carl, Roland, Carl, Tee, Carl, Gallant, Tee, Gallant, Gallant, Tee. (Roland's articles are a series on summer ball that I wanted to publish while summer ball was still operating.)

The Google search for news goes dead whenever they change their parameters. We're working on that, and we expect the news section to be up and running within the week.

Be sure to read my article on 12 August. It might give you insight into how this operation works.

That is incorrect. Here are the last 5 articles, 4 by Rollie, and one by Tee.

Summer Ball Blues — Part I
A USSSA tournament snafu
By Roland Wiederaenders
July 26th, 2005

What's the Catch?
Where's the infield?
By Roland Wiederaenders
July 21st, 2005

Strikes & Outs — Part VIII
Oh yeah? I don't believe it!
By T Alan Christensen
July 20th, 2005

We All Live In A Yellow Submarine
By Roland Wiederaenders
July 19th, 2005

Pregame Meeting
By Roland Wiederaenders
July 15th, 2005

Re: Re: Re: DG
 

Dave, I did not know that. Thanks for the info. I do know they rarely have tourneys in St. Pete/Clearwater, that I have seen or heard of. A.A.U Florida, out of Lakeland rules the travel ball circuit here. Chet Lemmon runs that group. The summer tourneys are usually sanctioned by I.B.C. (I believe that's International Baseball Congress)

Anyway, since he loves us so much, I was actually being a Smarta$$ to BlueDude and his blanket statement everywhere comment.

I can add that in NC USSSA has been creeping up and in some instances overtaking AAU baseball for the three day tourney format. At least in NC there have been issues with tournament arrangements and entry fees that have made the competition keener. AAU has been battling back and it's hard to say who is on top but USSSA is definitely a major player here.

Lawrence

Re: The hits just keep on coming . . .
 

That's pretty much my comment also, and I believe we are near opposite oceans. So USSSA baseball is definitely not everywhere.

hence the end of my post..."at least in the southeast"

I believe I clarified this and did not mean "everywhere", but at least in the southeast. Who cares anyways? This is a ridiculous topic to argue about. Didn't know everybody would get so offensive at this statement, I'll be sure to never bring USSSA up again

well this was entertaining... What was the original post about???

Tobacco use in NFHS is prohibited and most high schools also have this as a rule for players and coaches on school grounds. As an official, we must respect the rules that we use to enforce. However, I am sure you guys who dip do not enforce this rule.

That to me is poor judgement. However, I did use my judgement to eject a bench coach this year after the homeplate meeting that stated, no tobacco use. The HC wanted me to not eject, just to keep him in the dugout but I refused. Now, if he had been a base coach, I would have but this guy was a bench coach.

In my professional opinion, he had been chewing the entire time in the dugout, why keep him there. Anyway, the HC told me if I ejected him I would not do any games for him at his place which is a 10 min. drive for me. I did eject the bench coach but guess what?

The assigning secretary for me did take me off my last game to prevent any retaliation or BS in my opinion. This only prove to show that here, coaches are running the show. I did call our state association but no help there. They also told me it would be in my best interest not to do the game. I was amazed that as an official, enforcing the rules for NFHS and our state schools that I am the one who is punished. Oh yea, the bench coach sat out his game but as I watched that team play in the district, coaches were chewing/dipping.

That is the respect that they showed, and others by the way. The problem is tobacco. This stuff is provent to be bad on your health. If we as officials are not going to enforce it, no one is.

My situation is that what do I do the next time I see someone chewing or dipping, turn my head I guess. Then probably get turned into our state association for not enforcing this rule. Sorry for the long post, most of you guys seen it on the other site.

I had no idea that an inquiry into the use of sunflower seeds could have struck such a nerve.

It would appear that there are several officials that post here who received a check mark in the box next to " Does not get along well with others " on their last report card!!


Tim.(:>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As umpires, we are the only ones in the world expected to be perfect on our first day on the job, and improve from there!

Was there a real rule against tobacco at this game, or did you state, "no tobacco" at the plate conference based on your personal aversion?

Hey Big Ump, is sunflower use in the nfhs book? This is a game management dilema. Now, if they tell me at the game site, I would not use the seeds but would mention at the pre-game. I am not going to enforce any rules of this nature, that is a coaching thing.

The tobacco use was just a run off of another members view.

You've clearly been to the WW school of prevarication. Actually, what you wrote comes pretty close to an outright lie.

News Editor's job? Passed over? I was offered that "position" and then the "company" decided not to have a news editor. I see that the "news" has been updated a lot recently, Carl.

The Editor's Notes were simply an attempt by you to have your greasy nose in the middle of everyone's articles. You still do it I see -- in your mind Carl Childress's opinion on any subject is more important than the author's opinion on a subject. Quite sad, actually.

You also remember that you promised to never include an "Editor's Note" in an article I wrote if I was willing to come back and write for you. Amazing how your stance changes over time. Next thing you'll be telling people is that I begged to come back and write for you and you refused to have me back, rather than the actual story.

Have fun with Rollie. May I suggest the AltaVista Klingon to English translator for his next article. And make sure you look at the signature. I mean it now more than ever.

I think I just figured out what his signature means...

irefky - too bad your assignors and the chain of command are so weak.

I had a league commissioner request that a certain umpire not do a certain team's games. I scheduled that umpire for the next 4 consecutive games for that team. The commish got the point.

I gotta agree on this. If the umpire is enforcing a rule properly, especially use of tobacco on the field and the coach wants him banned, I'll ignore it. You want to use tobacco on the field? Go coach something above D1/AAA ball (like that would happen with these hicks) or find a mens rec ball league to coach in.

A little put off...
 

I have been researching AAU baseball in my area for my son this morning and came upon this page and I have to be honest with you, what I am reading here scares me, do I really want my son associated with this type behavior??
I thought the officals of these events were to have the highest standards in morals, ethics, sportsmanship and always be willing to help a child understand the game a little better. This is NOT what I'm seeing here at all. Do you have anyone overseeing your positions and what are the chances they may be reading this, how do you think this may effect your reveiws?? Do you really care?
I'm not getting a warm fuzzy here, I thought it was only the pro players who were the bone heads.
I SURE HOPE I HAVE GOTTEN THE WRONG IMPRESSION.....

plugnickle
 

I do not teach or coach baseball. I don't umpire "for the kids."

I simply report what happens on the field.

You got a pretty clear understanding of this site by reading this thread.

We tell it like it is with no stone unturned. It is not a site to teach children about anything.

By posts are read by many umpires in my local association and by our assigner . . . they allow free thought, it appears that you do not.

Regards,

What we talk about here is between umpires and not meant for children. We needle each other, call each other out, and argue like crazy, but at the end of the day we are all still brother umpires.

When we step on a baseball field, we do it with professionalism. What we say on an online bulletin board has no bearing on our behavior or demeanor on the ball field. We are all entitled to speak freely on these forums, and on occasion step over the line, at which time the moderators step in a put a stop to it. We are self-governed, and do not appreciate outsiders trying to tell us how to behave.

No, apparently it extends to you as well.:mad:

Hey man, this post is a year old. Everybody kissed and made up. :D

I was always thinking that at my first game of a season, that the field would be covered with huge sunflowers, and the game would be postponed.

Bob

Good one. I really mean it! LOL.:)

Actually no, you don't.

Get him involved in the theatre instead, I'm sure he does a heck of Judy Garland impersonation.

I am as appalled and aghast as you are. Rest assured that I have reported everyone in this thread to the proper authorities. I assure you that further action <b>will</b> be taken, up to and including orchidectomies for all those involved.

Have you got a warm fuzzy now?

What a pretty dream. I few years ago I actually drove through the backroads of eastern Colorado (I like to get off the main roads once in a while) and there were many fields of sunflowers.

You know that this would never happen right? Think back to Science class. The seeds are cooked and that renders them useless as far as being able to grow.

Did these fields, by chance, have signs posted saying "no baseball allowed on the sunflower field?":cool:

Dude, you're killin' me.