Our 18u winter league just finished its tounament on Tuesday, 20 December. As always, I had the championship game behind the plate.

Rio Grande City played Hidalgo. Bobby Bonds, with an alumninm bat, could hit a ball that would fall perhaps 200 yards from Mexico.

Temperature at game time: 51 degrees. Fans: about 100. Frozen plate umpire: 0. I was wearing my all-weather UnderArmour, tops and bottoms, and my umpire pull-over jacket. About the fifth inning, with the temp dropping into the high 40s, I took off the jacket: Too warm.

Seriously! And I'm a guy who, when the temperature drops below 70, puts on an overcoat.

That's my first point.

My second point:

Johnny Damon as a Yankee?

Yuk!

But my main point:

At the pregame one of the coaches said a curious thing. The other was quick to agree, of course. The visiting coach (50 miles between the two cities) said: "Carl, I'm always glad to have you umpire our games because I know it will be called fair."

Not good. Fair.

He was the third coach to tell me that this season. The Weslaco coach said: "Carl, you and Javi are the most fair umpires I know."

Not good. Fair.

I told this to my boss at lunch today. He pitched in the Astros' organization until he hurt his arm.... Coach Allen said it meant they knew I didn't care who won. I said it meant they knew umpires who did.

So my questions is: Which is better: fair or good?

Our spring season starts January 5. It was scheduled to start on the fourth but that's the evening Texas whips USC.

I had it explained to me once by a D-1 manager:

"You can be fair and suck; but to be good, you have to be fair."

I'll take good.

January 4th? Texas will make Jim Bowie look like a strategic genius.

WOW, you really must be the "top dog" for getting the stick in all those "big" games.

Carl:

I'll take fair as long as it's in the judicious sense. If they meant fair as in mediocre, then I'm with Garth. Good is much better!

Tim.

I guess I need to be clearer.

I would rather be referred to as good, as in competence, than fair as in a judicial temperment.


I've heard conversations between coaches that went something like this:

"We've got Fred Schmucklesworth on the plate next game. Is he any good?"

"Well, he'll be fair to both teams."

Again, to be good, one needs to be fair. But one can be fair not be very good.


The compliment of being "fair" is sometimes like someone telling you that your blind date has "a good personality" when you ask if she's good looking.

Of course, I've used a very broad brush here. This wouldn't apply to Carl.

But I'll bet Rollie is a very fair umpire.

[Edited by GarthB on Dec 23rd, 2005 at 01:24 AM]

Loved the last line, Garth.

As an umpire, you can't be good without being fair. You can certainly be fair and not considered good (no pun intended).

I've witnessed dozens of fair umpires who "even up" calls or compensate for a partner that they disagree with. In my experience, I value the partner who is talented enough to realize that the game is not always fair. Some teams (and umpires) get screwed.

In regards to the compliment you received, it was certainly meant in the spirit of professionalism. I've only encountered two coaches that tried to blast me during the pre-game. One never got to see the inside of his dugout and the other walked away feeling pretty ridiculous. Coaches love to kiss the butt of the PU in the Championship game. I'm sure you did a fair job, and all words being equal - I'll take good any day.

When I'm walking off the field, I always like to hear those three little magic words, "Fair game, Blue".

Are you sure they aren't rating you? ;)

"Excellent game, blue."

"Good game, blue."

"Fair game, blue."

"Nice game, blue."

If you believe them when they tell you how great you are, then you must believe them when they tell you how bad you are. I just tend to not listen or care what they say. It is not the coaches that are going to determine much of anything.

Peace

Actually, in NCAA baseball, the coaches have a little input.


Merry Christmas, Jeff.

Personally, I think that if you are known as a "fair" umpire, that is a feather in your cap! I have a better relationship with many coaches because they know that I do not look at uniforms, numbers or the person wearing them. I make calls that involve players, not uniforms. That means when I am called to do a 4 man crew for an important game and I find that it is my home town HS playing, the coaches know that I call the play, not the school. There is never a question of being a "homie".

Of course, I try not work the plate in those situations (providing I am informed before we are dressed and arrive on the field). There have been times where it just worked out that it was my turn to have the plate and nothing could be done about it. That is when having a reputation of being a "fair" umpire helps a lot.

Now we all strive at being a "good" umpire - heck, even Smitty has that aspiration. But to be a "fair" umpire takes good rules knowledge, people skills, good decision making and a big set of balls! Why the latter? When that coach who thought you were "fair" suddenly turns on you, he has to go just as any other coach!

I would rather be known as a “fair” official any day. To me it means that I have accomplished what I started out to do twenty some-odd years ago. To be able to walk onto a baseball field to do a job that others wouldn’t dream of and do it right.

Let's take this a step further:

What is your definition of a fair umpire?

What is your definition of a good umpire?


As I intimated earlier, a fair umpire might not make the correct call. He just calls them equally the same. He doesn't see a red team or a blue team, he does the job as best he can. He tries to be fair when applying the rule and is conscious of the concerns of all involved. He must know the rules well enough to apply them equally. Yet, this says nothing about his judgement or ability to control the game. We all know umpires that are fair and they are universally liked. We usually enjoy working with these guys.

The umpires we consider to be good, usually demonstrate the ability to set themselves apart from the ordinary. Maybe they hustle more, communicate better or have outstanding timing and judgement. I don't consider umpires that cheat or don't give their best efforts to be good. I believe that good umpires must be fair, have a working knowledge of the rules and excellent communication skills. I want to work with these guys.

Now, I have nothing against those of you who consider a fair umpire more admirable than a good one. I would just like to see how you define them.

The orginal question could just as easily have been "Do you like the pitcher who works fast but is a little erratic or the dart thrower who is really slow? One makes the game move along but causes you to call ball four too often. The other makes your job easy - think strike, strike, sit down; but he kills your back and knees after another three hour marathon. Neither one is bad; perception is everything.

For a guy who's fairly clueless when it comes to BASEBALL, I think that's the smartest thing you've posted on this part of the website. Jeff is right on!!

Also, as much as I hate to admit it, WWTB is correct as far as NCAA baseball & coaches. That's probably why they call it N.C.A.A. because coaches have No Clue Att All when it comes to evaluations

All coaches have a say on some level, they do not have the final say. So why give a damn when coaches tell you their opinion.

You can call me clueless about the easiest sport to officiate from my point of view, but it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that you should not be worried about what a coach says. Maybe this is my other sports background, but baseball is the one sport where there is hardly any evaluation to get to work a college game. I worked college baseball just because I was asked. I never had to prove I was worthy or good enough. All I had to do is accept the game and work the game. Not the same thing when I worked a college basketball game and not at all the same if I choose to work college football. Even when I moved here all I had to say is I worked some college and open sesame I had college games. Now if I stunk up the joint that might make an impact and change other opportunities in the future, but in baseball has the least accountability out of any sports I work. Maybe that is why many umpires here spend all their time trying to convince everyone they are to be respected.

Peace

Rut,
Right again, baseball compared to basketball is fairly easy but I think football is the easiest to officiate. Anyways, the difference between coaches in the NCAA and coaches in PRO ball is that you can stick up for yourself in proball. They give it to you, you can fire back. In college however, if you go at it with a coach, you are viewed as aggressive, cocky, instigator, etc.

Moreover, NCAA coaches, for the most part, don't know how or when to argue. They come out on the dumbest plays and say the stupidest things. For example, I had a D-I BASE coach argue with my partner (shouting across the field), so I told him, "hey, knock it off - let Jim (the HEAD Coach) take care of it." His reply was, "I'm the assistant coach, I can say what I want out here."

Yes, that was at the D-I level (MAC Conference). I just shook my head in disbelief and looked at my partner and said, "he's all yours".

By the way, I was just joking with the "clueless" comment. Nice job refraining from firing back. As I said, you did make some good points.

I think football can only be easy if you work the same position for a long time. If you move around and work a lot of positions in many different games, you will have to make some constant adjustments and potentially have to deal with rules that you might not be as comfortable with.

Now that is funny.

This proves my point. It sounds like your partner has to prove how big time he is. I have found that if you are going to dumb a coach, just dump the coach. They rolled the dice. You are just doing your job.

I did not take your comment personal. I just think that a lot of umpires here spend more time trying to prove they can handle themselves on the baseball diamond instead of just proving it with what they have done on the field. I know I probably will take more heat for my comments. Oh well, what else is new.

Peace

Good or fair, it's not important what they say, it's what they mean.

But if we are getting down to semantics, I have to agree that you have to be fair to be good.

Personally, the best comment I received was from the loosing manager, “Thanks blue, you called a good game”. For me that is as good as it gets.

The coach is setting you up for the next game.

Not always. When I have a good game, I know it. If a coach also recognizes a well officiated game, that's great. I just say thank you. But if I was horsesh*t (and I know when I'm horsesh*t,) and the coach says "good game," I may even say "thanks, but I think I could have done better." Fortunately, I have many more good days than bad!

In any case, I'm not letting a coach's comment affect me either way for the next game. I am wise to coaches' efforts to "work" me.

Sal, I'm not sure why you hate to admit that I know what I'm talking about. I've been very pleasant to you and have always been pretty accurate when it comes to the facts. Oh, well...Merry Christmas.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From J.Rutledge:
"You can call me clueless about the easiest sport to officiate from my point of view, but it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that you should not be worried about what a coach says. Maybe this is my other sports background, but baseball is the one sport where there is hardly any evaluation to get to work a college game. I worked college baseball just because I was asked. I never had to prove I was worthy or good enough. All I had to do is accept the game and work the game"

Your "college" baseball assignments are really limited. Please tell us about your biggest college assignment and who gave it to you. We would love to know how your highest level assignment was just handed to you because you were available.

JUCO and D-3 are not what most of us consider NCAA ball. Every D-3 team I've seen in our area is on par with the best high school team. Lack of scholarships does that to a program. Fetch handles most of the prime stuff around here. You don't belong to that group, so what gives?

I hear the New York / New England college board is tough to get into. 50% acceptance ratio in 04. Not sure about 05 but I do know a former pro did not make the cut. I'd like to try some year, before I get too old.

D

Same thing out here. Have to be invited. Very clicky. Ever since this elite group of umpires separated from our association in the mid-90's, it has been tough to break through the ranks.

Yes, I know how this sounds, but maybe there is a reason why it is difficult to break through.

How many of us would have loved being a movie star, but the gene pool and desire led us astray? Rather than put those souls down for having been accepted into a special fraternity, accept the hand dealt.

We tell newbies to work harder, hustle more and work more challenging games. We've discussed it before, but quality is much more important than quantity. Soon, some JUCO, D-2 or 3 coach will see you and want to chat. Make the effort to be professional and approachable before or after a series. You'd be surprised how many scouts or assistants can assist your career. Getting that first big game is an accomplishment. The time to be proud is when you get the next call.

The next factor is for every guy that group accepts, someone is likely being pushed aside. Some day, the new guy will do it to you. Enjoy the ride and teach what you learn.

WWTB,
My apology - I didn't mean it that way. I meant that you were correct and I hate that NCAA coaches are like that. After rereading my post, it does sound like I took a shot at you. I should have phrased it differently. Thanks for clearing that up.

Anyways, I will be in Chicago for the NCAA meetings. Make sure you find me and introduce yourself. Happy Holidays to you as well.

No problem...I plan to be at the ABCA meeting (I'm friends with Dee) and hope to see you at the NCAA meeting. I've been asked to assist with the Philly meeting so I'm a little torn. Either way, it'll be a love fest of rule splitters. The war stories are about the only reason I enjoy seeing everyone anymore. Hopefully, you'll find that I'm not so bad, I'm just drawn that way. Have an eggnog and get ready to eat too much.

I don't know if you were addressing me with this or not, but gene pools had nothing to do with my not getting a shot at college ball. I was slated to get a look "next season" back then, and when next season rolled around, this group of renegade college umpires, who deemed themselves better than the rest of us, broke away and procured the college contracts for their new group. If you weren't in that "click," you were SOL. I'm not the only qualified umpire that this affected. Many others were in the same boat, and were slighted as well.

I worked really hard to hone my skills as an umpire to the point where college ball was looking like a reality. The president of the association told me that if I kept getting good ratings, that I would get some college ball next season. Of course, next year never came.

Now I'm nearly 50, and nobody is going to be beating down my door to work NCAA ball. Out here, we certainly don't get assignments just because we are a warm body, like in Rut's case.

You are a funny man Windy. Please keep the holiday laughs coming. I needed the pick me up.

Peace

Funny you should mention that. I just turned 51. However, people tell me I don't look I've even reached 40 yet. I keep myself physically fit for my age. Around here, we have several JUCO programs, some small four year colleges that have baseball programs, and three D-1 teams. Over the years, I have built relationships with several of these coaches. Mostly what we talk about are the high school players. I give them some info on some player that I saw. Sometimes, I'll talk to a kid about going to one of these little four year schools. Give them some names to talk to. Mind you, these little colleges don't play great ball.

But back to the chase. Some of these coaches I talk to ask me about working a higher level. They come to some of the games that I work also. Tell me who I need to talk to and that they would give me a reference if I wanted one. No, I'm not talking D-1. But, it's usually a very good level of ball. Community College NJCAA Division I & III, NAIA something like that. However, they often have a team go far in tournament play.

With all that talent out there, get out, do some networking. There's got to be several coaches in attendance at those games. It can't hurt.

You didn't answer the question, Jeff. It was simple and direct but you evaded it.

1) What college games were you assigned just because you were available?

While a couple of junior colleges might take a warm body, you get those assignments once unless you show merit. I know you don't work Northern Illinois, UIC or Northwestern. North Park is assigned by a group you don't belong to, so which college did you work simply because you were available?

I wasn't trying to be funny. I wished you a Merry Christmas before and you ignored it. When I questioned your comment you jumped on it. That seems ironic.

If Merry Christmas doesn't work, Happy Kwaanza!

WWTB,
Between the Northern and Frontier Leagues, I probably work more baseball games in the Chicago area than Rut does. But that doesn't matter, he gave a good point regarding coaches and how they "play" umpires/officials.

One good thing about this site is that sometimes I look at the basketball section (just read - don't participate) because I feel I can learn from them on how to better handle situations. While baseball may not be Rut's sport, you can tell he has some knowledge regarding "officiating" in general. I think we can all learn from each others' experiences regardless of which sports one officiates.

I have answered this question a 100 times. I am not trying to be you. I have no desire to work D1 College of any kind at this point of my career. If you have not noticed the one thing I hate about the baseball season is I can schedule a game and half of them will not be played. So I am not going to knock myself out trying to work college baseball. I work enough college basketball and HS where I travel many more miles. I also have never joined the local college baseball umpires group that Fetch belongs to because the meetings are held in the middle of the basketball season. I would rather go work a good basketball game than try to go 3 hours to get a shot at one or two D1 college games. One of these days you will actually get that. If baseball is your passion that is great, it is not my passion. I love doing it when it is happening. I am just not going to make an extra effort to do it. So when I do college games the places are often very close to my house. If I do go any real distance from my house, I am working with someone I know or doing a favor. I have been to Milwaukee, South Bend, Galesburg, Davenport and Moline for college basketball games. I would never think to go further than DeKalb for any college baseball game. I make more for a 2 hour basketball game than I will a 2 and a half our baseball game. There are also more fans at those college basketball games and those basketball crowds are not very well attended compared to many HS games. I know Rich F and I had a similar conversation about working college basketball. Rich is much happier working college baseball and not trying to chance a college basketball dream. I have no baseball dreams beyond working a decent HS schedule and I like and prefer to stay very close to home. I have traveled a little, but I do not like to do that very often. I will be working a Christmas Tournament next week and that will be much more important to me than working any D1 baseball game.

Peace

This sounds like an interesting topic for a new thread. How about the details?

Mike

Jeff:

First let me say that I'm not questioning the fact that you work college games in South Bend. I believe you when you say that you do. I'd just like to know where you've worked basketball games in South Bend other than the A.C.C. on the Notre Dame campus. From time to time my boys and I like to go to some of the smaller college games in the area.


I do know we'll be looking for Sal at Eck Field this Spring when he comes to Notre Dame. Maybe we can look for you next season on the hard wood in South Bend as well.



Merry Christmas!!

Tim.

Sal,

How long have you worked the Frontier League?

I have a friend who worked it for a few years, but he "self-released" in 2003, I believe.

When I say I have gone to South Bend, I was not talking about Notre Dame. There are other colleges in South Bend other than Notre Dame. :D

Ahhhh No. I will not be working at Notre Dame Basketball anytime soon. I would honestly think a Notre Dame Football game would be more likely in my future than a basketball game (just because of the conference affiliation around here). I also do not work for that assignor anymore that sent me to South Bend, so that is also not likely to be there for officiating purposes.

You have one too Tim. Be safe and have a great New Year's as well.

Peace

Jeff, Jeff, Jeff
 

Happy Holidays to all.

Normally I refrain from responding to these, but I can't resist this one because Jeff gets his College BB from me.

Jeff, be careful about the above quote. You contacted us in the right year, when we had several new College opportunities. To say you didn't have to prove yourself is so not true Jeff, so be careful. You got a couple of very low-key JUCO games unseen, you did well, and you got more. To continue working College level ball (whether it be JUCO or D-III), we are reproving our commitment every year. There are too many new College umpires knocking at the door that it pushes all of us to work harder each year, each game.

And ohhh...you don't go past DeKalb for College games? Dude, I'm finishing up the schedule this week. Can you say Kishwaukee?!?!?

Merry Xmas to all....all we want for Xmas is Mark Prior to stay in our rotation!!

Re: Jeff, Jeff, Jeff
 

and a bears victory!

just got my playoff tickets in the mail today

Tuesday, April 25, 2006 against Purdue. Email me if you plan on coming and I'll leave you tickets. If you bring your son, we'll have him come into the lockeroom before the game. Merry Christmas to you as well!

Since 2001 - What's his name and where is he from?

I sent you a private email.

As most of you know, I'm very careful when choosing my words. I asked Jeff to tell us which colleges he was assigned simply because he was available. He immediately changed the subject to basketball and football. Then FVB9 chimed in on the same thought I had. Jeff worked some Juco small ball and never saw the post season for any of them.

My bigger laugh was when he tried to throw South Bend in the mix. Rather than name the colleges, he implies that he gets assignments in big college towns. This is a trademark Rutism. He dismisses it by saying that he never meant to say Notre Dame, but how many people here think of St. Mary's when we think of South Bend? Classic Rut and a great way to finish the year strong. I have stayed away from Rut bashing because it is so easy and many of you do it better. Like FVB9, I couldn't resist no replying to this blunder.

Next we will here that he once worked college games in Tallahassee, Chicago, Baton Rouge, Madison and Columbus. Only they weren't Florida State, UIC, LSU, Wisconsin or Ohio State. ROTFLMAO


Ho, Ho, Ho He, He, He Merry Christmas, to all and to all a good night!

In Jeff's defense I should point out that there are other Colleges here in South Bend. I guess that one could make an arguement that he in no way was implying that he worked Notre Dame games in South Bend because Notre Dame is not located in South Bend. The university is located in Notre Dame Indiana. They have their own post office, police department (not campus security), and are independent of local municipalities.

To be honest, I'm not sure if Holy Cross Junior college has a baseball team or not. I'm pretty sure they only have club sports anyway.

I do know that Bethel College, which is just across the South Bend line in Mishawaka, has an excellent baseball team. As you are able to see the Golden Dome from the college, one could easily think it's located in South Bend.

I.U.S.B also has a decent baseball program as well located right in the heart of South Bend.

The Vogue Beauty College team is full of sissy's, and no one want's to work their games!(chuckle)


It's entirely possible that he's worked games for one of these small colleges.


Tim.

Re: Jeff, Jeff, Jeff
 

Kishwaukee is about 7 miles from DeKalb. That would be like me saying I am not going to go to Macomb and I end up in Good Hope. They are right next to each other. Malta and DeKalb are closer to each other than I actually live from Chicago. I am not wasting a whole tank of gas to go from DeKalb to Malta.

Let me put it this way, I am not going to Kenosha, Wisconsin or Davenport for a college baseball game. I have gone to both for college basketball games in recent years. I would also not likely be able to go to those places very often for baseball games for job reasons. That is why I try to stay very close to my house as possible.

So I understand what you are saying, but I am not going to knock someone out over the head for a college baseball game. I also have not had to pay the money to work a college baseball game as I have to work a college basketball game. And I went to relatively cheap camps to get evaluated to get hired in college basketball. Now for those that want to go in the middle of the afternoon to get to South Bend (Notre Dame) or try to go 4 and 5 hours to Michigan to work a game, more power to you. That just is not going to be me right now. I would not go to Bloomington, Illinois for a college game at this point. Just not something I am thinking about doing. Sorry, it just is not. I was not very up for going to North Park this past year on a Sunday.

You and Windbag do nothing else but work baseball. For you baseball is a big part of your officiating life. For me the spring is a balance between all sports. I have the potential to go to Basketball and Football camps at this time of year. When the summer hits, the only thing I am really going to make a commitment to things like Basketball camps and summer HS Basketball leagues. Why, because I know they will not get rained out and I am trying to advance in my college career. I have already done a college game in the middle of this Midwest winter in Galesburg and Kewanee, Illinois and went to Davenport, Iowa to work college basketball games with the weather really sucking. Each trip was well over an hour (and some cases 2) just going one way. Now it helps that I have family less than in many cases close to those places, but I would not even pursue such a baseball opportunity.

Peace

Thank you for more laughs
 

You do not even have the balls to list your name and you expect me to tell you something like that? When you start sharing with everyone here who you are so the rest of us can know exactly what you do, until then, it is none of your business where I work.

Actually BigUmp was right. I did officiate a basketball game at the University of Indiana at South Bend about 4 or 5 years ago. If I told you that I worked at Purdue University, you would claim that I had only worked in Lafayette (That is where the game check came from). There is more than one Purdue University. If you knew anything about the college systems in this country, that would not be the only assumption you would make. Like if I said I have a relative that went to University of Wisconsin. There are about 5 different Universities of Wisconsin’s. That is why when I talk to people that know anything about education I would qualify my statement by saying she went to The University of Wisconsin at Madison. South Bend is a town, not a college, but you knew that right?

That is really funny coming from you. You never tell anyone anything about you other than vague references and vague implications. You talk in code all the time telling people you work college ball, but never a conference is mentioned or the actual town. Then you say you work Minor League baseball, but you never mention the league. I not only mentioned the towns I have worked games in, I am using my real name to do it. You on the other hand say nothing. You say stuff like you were at a Super-Regional and I work Class AA ball Minor League ball, but not towns, dates or conferences you worked in. Now you are claiming you work for Fetch and you have said many times before that you did not work for Fetch and you did not want to belong to an association that Fetch is the member of because you got games from other sources.

Actually if I said I worked a game in Tallahassee, there is more than one college in Tallahassee. I would know I have a few close relatives that attended both major universities in Tallahassee. One played on the football team and one a National Championship. Guess which university that I am talking about now.

Peace

I'll work those biatches' games. Hey, it's college ball!

You do not even have the balls to list your name and you expect me to tell you something like that? When you start sharing with everyone here who you are so the rest of us can know exactly what you do, until then, it is none of your business where I work.

Wow, we’re back to this again. My identity is a puzzle to you. Get over it - you were never good at this.

You made the statement that you were able to your college games just because you were available. I asked which games. You ignored it because you knew it would make you look bad. I asked you again and you changed the topic to basketball and football. Aren’t you one of the first guys to say, “Hey, this is a baseball board!” Nic try, you got caught by the guy who assigned you. Even JC told you that you made a mistake.


Actually BigUmp was right. I did officiate a basketball game at the University of Indiana at South Bend about 4 or 5 years ago. If I told you that I worked at Purdue University, you would claim that I had only worked in Lafayette (That is where the game check came from). There is more than one Purdue University. If you knew anything about the college systems in this country, that would not be the only assumption you would make. Like if I said I have a relative that went to University of Wisconsin. There are about 5 different Universities of Wisconsin’s. That is why when I talk to people that know anything about education I would qualify my statement by saying she went to The University of Wisconsin at Madison. South Bend is a town, not a college, but you knew that right?

Actually Jeff, I know a great deal about the college system in this country. I take paychecks from many of them for umpiring baseball games. Your jumble about five different U of W’s doesn’t hold water. Only one of them is in Madison. When people say that they are going to see a game in South Bend or that they went to school in South Bend, do you think they are as deceitful as you? Maybe they went to Holy Cross or saw a pick up game in a neighborhood gym. Better yet, maybe they saw that U12 tournament that you did at the University of Indiana at South Bend. You’re funny…not humorous, just funny.


That is really funny coming from you. You never tell anyone anything about you other than vague references and vague implications. You talk in code all the time telling people you work college ball, but never a conference is mentioned or the actual town. Then you say you work Minor League baseball, but you never mention the league. I not only mentioned the towns I have worked games in, I am using my real name to do it. You on the other hand say nothing. You say stuff like you were at a Super-Regional and I work Class AA ball Minor League ball, but not towns, dates or conferences you worked in. Now you are claiming you work for Fetch and you have said many times before that you did not work for Fetch and you did not want to belong to an association that Fetch is the member of because you got games from other sources.


No, you have your facts wrong. I said that I wasn’t assigned games by him. I know him but Rich and I do not see eye to eye on a few things. I respect the fact that he has an opinion about how things should get done. I don’t like the idea of having to work some junk ball for three or four years when I paid my dues a long time ago. Even JC will tell you that Fetch operates this way and it is a disgrace.

Your memory is selective. I mentioned what leagues I worked in when I first jumped on this site. I’ve mentioned multiple times where I went to pro school. My name was even mentioned here once or twice, I feel no need to revisit it. On the other site, not only did one of my partners “out me” and put my name for all to see, but he even put a link to the games so you could see that I had the plate and 3B for that nice little series. I never responded in public, but I had a few words with him about it. I feel little need to sit in the spotlight. I no longer work Independent Minor League Baseball in our area. I've mentioned which parks I worked at and who was playing. Others knew but you were left scratching your head.

I do my job and do it well – in my office, on the field or here. If it frustrates you that after four years I am still an enigma, then so be it. You've never been a scion of baseball judgement.

By the way, I did say that YOU don’t work for Fetch. Read it again and then say you’re sorry.


Actually if I said I worked a game in Tallahassee, there is more than one college in Tallahassee. I would know I have a few close relatives that attended both major universities in Tallahassee. One played on the football team and one a National Championship. Guess which university that I am talking about now.


That is my point, junior. You chastise me for not revealing my name, where I work or whom I work with, yet you mislead constantly. You said that you worked a game in South Bend. Why not just say the school’s name? Oh, I think we all know the reason. 99% of the readers will think you must have worked a game at Notre Dame and you want to keep it that way.

Which championship did he 'one'? Was it 'da one in Talahassee?

You should change your signature, Rosa Parks didn't display her courage so that malcontents like you could display their ignorance.

Who am I going to look bad to? Once again you put more much more stock in this place than I ever will.

Also, everything I say here I have said to JC before in person. This is nothing new or special. JC is a man like anyone else. We do not have to agree on everything.

Good for you. Do you want a cookie now?

That is nice, but I personally do not care what you and Fetch agree on. Not only is that not my business, what does any of that have to do with the rest of us. Remember, you brought Fetch into this discussion. I do not know the man and I have never spoken to him about anything.

I should care because.........?

Good for you. Now tell us how many here care?

I was not the person that actually brought up Fetch, you were. Fetch was never on my radar. For some reason he was on your radar. Why don't you talk to me about Adams, Kelly, Lamps or Harmon? Then we can have a real conversation about something that is important to me.

Why reveal details to a troll when that troll cannot say anything about consistent about themselves? I did not reveal the school because I did not have to. What are you going to do, write a stern letter home to my parents? Are you going to tell me friends and other family members? If you knew anything about me (and you obviously do not) then you would know when I say South Bend, what school I was referring to. There are only a couple of people that can send you to South Bend from here and all you have to do is some math and that person will be revealed to you. I know one person here that would know exactly what I was talking about because he works for the very same person that sent me to South Bend. Funny, I also said I went to Milwaukee and you did not assume I said the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. So if I said I went to Green Bay would you assume I was talking about the Packers? I would be that he has been to South Bend too. South Bend is a town, not a school. Ann Arbor is a town not a school. Bloomington is a town is the home of 3 colleges. If you knew anything other than baseball, you would know where I was referring to. I just wanted to prove that you did not know anything as usual.

You do not have the right to even use the word courage. When you display some courage then come and talk to me about what Rosa Parks stood for. Bring your *** to Englewood and start running your mouth about Rosa Parks. I bet your little suburban behind would not last a minute. Little ***** *** mutha f@cker.

Peace

<i>"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."</i>

Venite Adoremus.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

I actually owned an apartment building in Englewood. They always treated me pretty nice. I think it had something to do with being brought up with manners and discipline.

As I said before,you know nothing about my relations with those of your race. I learned far more about you than you'll ever know. Don't worry, Jeff and the others are learning about you too. I know, I know...you're not worried about what others think. That's why you respond to every comment about you.

If you want to discuss baseball or umpiring baseball, stay on this board. Otherwise, take the basketball and football talk to where the others make fun of you for a different reason.

Rosa would be crying if she saw how you act and write.

I think they are about to enter into the "feats of strength" phase of the least holy day of Festivus.

Maybe they have not yet completed the "airing of grievances".

Mount the pole, guys.

Happy Festivus

Wow...and you have the nerve to sign "Peace"? You should be ashamed. I thought this was a baseball board...
JJ

So much for "peace" on Earth, not to
mention "good will toward men". How sad.

Of course you did. I know you did not run your mouth down there like you try to do behind a computer screen. I worked there. I know you were careful about what you said. Not because anyone would do anything to you, just the fact you might have not been as welcome. I guarantee that one.

You have a lot to learn about me and the people that know me. There is nothing for them to find out. They already know when I talk to them. I am not a fake person like you are. I say the same things in the presence of people like you as I do here. Remember, I grew up in a small college town around people that looked nothing like me. I did not bite my tongue then. I will not bite my tongue now.

It always amazes me how white (which Windbag clearly is) people who did not grow up in that time of Martin Luther King, Malcolm Shabbazz or Medgar Evers and the civil rights movement, did not live in the south, did not walk a single step in the shoes of Rosa Parks or anyone that looked like Rosa Parks can tell me what she would think about what I have said. I guess you probably think that Martin Luther King Jr. was just about dreams and holding hands. I have family members that had no choice but to attend the "other university" in Tallahassee and I have a mother that was paid to go out of state to further her education. You need to do more reading about Rosa Parks. Rosa Parks was more than sitting on a seat in a bus.

Peace (A slang term for bye bye or "peace out." It does not mean peace on earth)