Field Decorum

[waltjp]

Originally posted by GarthB
This has led to some in our group to complain that we are "trying to0 hard to be professional." The explain that they are umpiring "for fun" and the emphasis on professionalism is taking the fun out of it.

This reminds me of something I heard at an association meeting a few years back. The speaker made the point that the umpires are often the only paid personel at the games we work. By definition, we are the only professionals out there.

He went to to say that we should all try to project that professional attitude whenever we take the field, no matter what level the game.

He closed by saying that we may feel the assignment is beneath us but to the players it's most likely the most important game they'll play all week. They're paying us. We owe it to them to be the best we can be.

We work everything from young kids (boys and girls) to mens and womens softball, along with some Babe Ruth, Connie Mack and Legion ball. Most of the members are also HS umps.