I understand the points both of you have made. You're right, we still live in a society where this type of bigotry is still prevalent. It's a shame that is has to be that way, but it is.


As far as the Little League umpires issue, it saddens me that so many disparaging comments are directed at Little League umpires on these forums. I understand that there are many, many piss poor LL umpires. In my opinion the sheer volume of games played in the LL organization themselves have to be the number one contributing factor to this problem. However, to indict all umpires who choose to work LL games based on the poor umpires seen at times is unfair. One of my favorite people who post's on this board often opines that Little League umpires suck. I'm certain that he's drawn that conclusion based on his personal exposure to them. In our area that's just not the case. I hope there will come a point in time that he can see some of us who are dedicated officials in the Little League organization work some games. I think he might just change his mind if it ever happens.


Tim.

Great post, BigUmp! Higher level umpires who take the time to do LL games (in all there generations - LL, Inc., travel, recreational) give the players such a good level of officiating and really make their LL time memorable.
I also hope HS umpires ARE viewed by how they look - proper dress, equipment, etc. Who can forget that to US, at 15, 16, 17 high school ball (our first matching uniform, sewn-on numbers, more than three fans) WAS our major leagues!

Don't know who ya are, but I've already advanced as far as I'm going to, and I said it hurts people's feelings, not mine. I just find it ignorant to refer to people by their physical appearance, and the only ones that receive that treatment are fat people.

I know quite a few JUCO, D-1, 2, and 3 umpires who are tubs of lard, so the advancement thing isn't quite cut and dried.

There are umpires who work little league, and there are "little league umpires". There is a drastic difference between the two.

Well put, Garth. This kind of gives me a new perspective on where some you have been coming from.


Tim.

I guess that was a poor comparison on my part. I wasn't saying that LL umps are worse than any other officials, I was just using the LL level of baseball as my example since at that level (same as with PONY, etc...) that there isn't much selectivity when choosing umpires. Basically anyone that wants to do it can. Once you get above the HS level, it's much more selective and factors such as appearance weigh more heavily.

I didn't mean to sound biased towards LL officials, that's not the case at all. There are good and bad officials in every association at every level. To me, anyone that goes out and makes an effort to call the best game they can is a good official, regardless of the level they work.