Ohh my

[Rich]

Originally posted by Bob Lyle

You haven't p!ssed me off but I would not comply and I don't need my head examined. Consider the following:

Each time that we work a game, there is potentially someone in the stands (or watching TV) that can influence our access to the next level. You only get one chance to make a first impression. If they see us do something that they think is unprofessional, we probably won't get a chance to make a second impression.

On more than one occasion, I have walked out of a tournament because of off beat requests by a TD. As a BU, I would not carry a plate brush on the field at a TD's request any more than I would take a dump at home plate.

The TD has a right to order the umpires to do whatever he wants. It's his tournament. I have a right to evaluate his requests in terms of my career and decline the game. I'm an independent contractor.

The attitute of umpires at this forum is a reflection of the attitudes that they pick up in their local associations. You ignore those attitudes at the peril of your career. If all you care about is being a little league umpire, by all means put a plate brush in both hip pockets. Put a ball bag on too and stuff a couple more plate brushes inside.

Perils of your career? Some people act as though this is brain surgery.

[Dave Hensley]

Originally posted by tmp44
See this is what I don't understand. Let's say you're working the finals of a tournament (not LL, PONY for example), and the TD comes to you before the game and says,

"I know you're a base umpire today, but I want you to take your plate brush out there with you and I want that base kept clean."

Please tell me that there are people on this board that would comply. I know you may not like it, I know I wouldn't, but in all honesty, if you tell me that you would not do the game rather than clean off a base every once in a while, then I think you need to get your head examined.

IMO, we don't have the right to think that we're above the game. We are a part of the game; it's been that way for over a hundred years. Sorry guys, but if a TD tells me to keep the base clean, then I'm doing it; I won't like it, and I'll probably swear at him under my breath every time I have to do it, but I'll do it. Just my 2 cents.

P.S. Someone better go make some popcorn because I'm sure I just p!ssed a lot of people off.

Think about your example for a moment and then consider, who is it really who is going against the 100+ year tradition of the game? Hmmm? How many professional umpires in baseball games played at the highest levels do you see cleaning off bases?

Where does it end? What if the TD demanded that the PU wear his cap backwards and his shinguards on the outside of his pants, becuase he thinks that looks more "traditional?"

An unreasonable request to me will be met with a polite but firm refusal. The next action is the TD's call.

[Rich]

Originally posted by Dave Hensley

Think about your example for a moment and then consider, who is it really who is going against the 100+ year tradition of the game? Hmmm? How many professional umpires in baseball games played at the highest levels do you see cleaning off bases?

Where does it end? What if the TD demanded that the PU wear his cap backwards and his shinguards on the outside of his pants, becuase he thinks that looks more "traditional?"

An unreasonable request to me will be met with a polite but firm refusal. The next action is the TD's call.

I agree with this, BTW, despite my last post.

But everyone's line is different. Tee wouldn't wear an adjustable hat and that wouldn't bother me a bit.

I worked a tournament a few weeks ago where I watched the third base umpire clean the base with a brush every inning. One inning he had to rotate to my base as I had gone out on a fly ball and after the out he pulled out his brush to do second base -- I told him that if he brushed it off he'd have to work it. I was only half kidding.

In LL, as has been mentioned before, they have safety bases with pegs that hold the base in place -- pegs that have to be cleaned out occasionally. I'm OK with that and having the umpires do that task, but that's not what we saw on TV -- we saw umpires brushing the tops of bases, which is not only unnecessary, but silly.

I'll kick some dirt off a base, but only when a player requests time to clean himself off and I want to divert a bit of attention from the player or find out if he's injured and needs additional time. But then it's just a swipe of the foot.

I was working an adult game on Sunday (playoffs - 3 man, I was working U3) and F5 asked if I wanted to clean off the base. I said, "No, I can see it, but feel free." He looked at me like I was from Mars and then brushed it off with his glove. I just shrugged.

[David B]

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser

I agree with this, BTW, despite my last post.

But everyone's line is different. Tee wouldn't wear an adjustable hat and that wouldn't bother me a bit.

I worked a tournament a few weeks ago where I watched the third base umpire clean the base with a brush every inning. One inning he had to rotate to my base as I had gone out on a fly ball and after the out he pulled out his brush to do second base -- I told him that if he brushed it off he'd have to work it. I was only half kidding.

In LL, as has been mentioned before, they have safety bases with pegs that hold the base in place -- pegs that have to be cleaned out occasionally. I'm OK with that and having the umpires do that task, but that's not what we saw on TV -- we saw umpires brushing the tops of bases, which is not only unnecessary, but silly.

I'll kick some dirt off a base, but only when a player requests time to clean himself off and I want to divert a bit of attention from the player or find out if he's injured and needs additional time. But then it's just a swipe of the foot.

I was working an adult game on Sunday (playoffs - 3 man, I was working U3) and F5 asked if I wanted to clean off the base. I said, "No, I can see it, but feel free." He looked at me like I was from Mars and then brushed it off with his glove. I just shrugged.

Talk of brushing the base/plate etc., reminded me of the HS state semi-final game last spring. The groundscrew had
watered the plate area and the plate had about an 1/2 inch
inch of water on it.

I put some dirt on the plate and it made mud which I wiped off with my shoe and then messed my brush up trying to get it better.

Bottom of 1st and fans start hollering about plate needing cleaning off. I told F2 hey its mud and won't do anygood and I don't have but my muddy brush etc.,

Finally the coach comes out with a towel and wipes it off.
Fans gave him a standing ovation.

I just laughed. BTW, his pitcher was no better with a clean plate... (g)

Thanks
David

[LMan]

Originally posted by tmp44
[B
Please tell me that there are people on this board that would comply.

Not me. I'd smile at him, he'd walk off, and that would be the end of it.

To reverse your sitch a bit, has any umpire been tossed out of a tournament by a TD solely for refusing to brush off a base?

*eyeroll*

[piaa_ump]

Im glad I didnt have to make the choice of whether or not to clean a base off. I would have felt conflicted at best...that being said, I was on the 2003 PONY World Series Crew. I'm happy to state that we received first rate treatment.

PONY Baseball had a grounds crew to handle all field duties.......a separate umpire dressing room and an Umpire attendent. We received uniforms and were paid. The only shortcoming was an adjustable hat. I lived with it. I never wore it again, but I lived with it. I enjoyed every minute of my experience.

[DG]

I would have to explain to any TD that asked something unreasonable, that it was unreasonable. If, after explanation they insist that I comply with unreasonable request, then I am on my way home wondering how I got involved in this bullsh*t.

[UMP25]

Am I alone in thinking that the job of a tournament director is to...uh...direct the tournament?!? Meaning, shouldn't he/she be concerned about the teams, their entrance fees (if any), scheduling of games and game times, make-ups of rainouts, team rosters, and all the administrative stuff, with the umpires being the ones who handle the playing rules and related points?

Just wondering.

[Dave Hensley]

By the way, for what it's worth, neither the players, coaches or umpires at the Little League World Series are wearing adjustable caps. Now they may be the flex-fit fitted type that is not precisely a traditional fitted cap, but they are definitely not traditional adjustable caps.

The umpires are still dancing with the mascot, though, I'm sorry to report.

[scottyman51]

Thats kinda sad,but at least they have a sence of humor,they will never hear the end of it though.

[JRutledge]

Why does everyone care what these guys do if you are unwilling to work LL baseball yourself? If you do not want to work LL, why do you give a damn what someone at Williamsport wants to do? I do what is expected at the levels I work. Little League is not a level I ever work. So if they want to stand on their head and tap their stomach at the same time that is there business. I have never seen a bunch of uptight people in my life. I agree at the HS and college level many of these things would be totally unacceptable. We are not talking about those levels, we are talking about a bunch of guys that volunteer and get nothing but a T-shirt to work games on National TV.

Peace

[bkbjones]

Originally posted by JRutledge
Why does everyone care what these guys do if you are unwilling to work LL baseball yourself? If you do not want to work LL, why do you give a damn what someone at Williamsport wants to do? I do what is expected at the levels I work. Little League is not a level I ever work. So if they want to stand on their head and tap their stomach at the same time that is there business. I have never seen a bunch of uptight people in my life. I agree at the HS and college level many of these things would be totally unacceptable. We are not talking about those levels, we are talking about a bunch of guys that volunteer and get nothing but a T-shirt to work games on National TV.

Peace

Rut,
You know damned good and well they also get free hot dogs.

[UMP25]

Unless they're the Vienna Beef real meat hot dogs, I ain't interested! I wouldn't doubt if they're those putrid Oscar Mayer fake dogs. Yuck!

[Rich]

Originally posted by bkbjones

Rut,
You know damned good and well they also get free hot dogs.

And umpire shirts and jackets and....

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by bkbjones

Rut,
You know damned good and well they also get free hot dogs.

I do not give a damn what they get. I know I would not be on a website complaining about some JH basketball official tournament that would happen to be on television. I do not expect perfection from guys who are working at this level. But for some reason baseball umpires go on and on about what guys who they feel are beneath them are doing a regular basis. I do not see anyone going on the football boards and complaining about the mechanics they see when the Pop Warner Championships are on TV. Some of you Baseball guys just make me sick with all the griping about LL umpires. Get over it already.

Peace