My amazing partner

[mick]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Daryl,

You may have misunderstood my post and assumed somehow that the CBUA condones such behavior. I am NOT criticizing Fetch at all. I just stated that my partner and I both happen to be CBUA members, and I'm certainly not ashamed of that in the least. My point is that such an individual shouldn't even be a member of such an organization, or any other if you ask me, and that the CBUA shouldn't be proud to have such an umpire as one of its own.

I can't speak for your experiences with Rich, but I'd like to believe he wouldn't tolerate such blatant unprofessionalism.

Preacher seems to think Rich not only tolerates it, but teaches it by example.
Hmmm.
I dunno.
mick

[UMP25]

He could think whatever he wishes, of course, but Rich has been nothing but fair to me, and I like him personally. Therefore, I'm not going to agree with Preacher's sentiments.

[Daryl H. Long]

Originally Posted by UMP25

He could think whatever he wishes, of course, but Rich has been nothing but fair to me, and I like him personally. Therefore, I'm not going to agree with Preacher's sentiments.

I want to preface my remarks here with congratulations to Ump25 for the level he has achieved, and for his high standards of performance that is evident he requires not only of his partners but of himself. I believe that the assigner in this case did not require the same high standard, maybe because he feels 'it's only a D III game'. Who knows?

It is sad that Ump25 had to work a college game with such an unprofessional umpire. And while we bash the umpire we somehow release from culpability the other who are just as much to blame. First, the assigner, and secondly, all those involved in the game who witnessed the behavior (coaches and other umpires) and did not report the behaviour to the proper "administrators". (Posting the incident to this forum does not qualify)

I will raise some questions that seem to point fingers but that is not my intent to put anyone on the spot, especially Ump25. The questions, while real, are rhetorical in nature. It is up to him if he answers them on the forum or not but I in no way wish to jeopardize any future assignments he may get. I guess I am hoping Ump25 reported the incident to more than just us on this forum. If so, he gets my respect even more than I have mentioned in this preface. But I still have to raise the questions.

1. I admit it was probably unfair of me to surmise that Fetch has not changed his thinking nor curbed the arrogance he exhibited in my short time of meeting and talking with him. Let me illustrate why I don't think Fetch has changed and I will base it all on Ump25's words.

Fact: "Bob" not only bragged about the high level games he works but also seems to brag about the close friendship he has with Fetch. Of course that may be just hot air by "Bob" to get others to think he is a greater umpire than he really is.

Since "Bob" has exhibited unprofessional behavior in the game he worked with Ump25 then most likely he has done it numerous times. I am certain of this because Ump 25 said, "Sadly, the guy was frickin' proud of what he did". There seems to be no remorse for his actions in hindsight as if it was an isolated incident. These kinds of things at that level can not be kept secret from the assigner, who in this case happens to be Fetch and he keeps hiring "Bob".

That to me seems like Fetch does condone it.

Let us know if Fetch drops "Bob" or continues to hire him. Then we all will know for sure whether he condones such behavior or not.

2. Ump 25...Did you report "Bob"s behaviour to Fetch, Yeast, and CBUA?

You were incredulous about "Bob"s behavour. But it does no good to tell us here on the forum. Nothing we can say can prevent BOB from doing these things again.

First, to illustrate a point I just made. When Ump25 posted his experience with "Bob" on this forum umpires across the nation now know of the incident. I assume by now that Fetch knows about it too: at least two coaches should have reported it but more importantly Ump25 should have been on the phone to Fetch 5 minutes after the game to report it himself.

Ump25, Did you report it or not?

Secondly, concerning "Bob"s e-mail you said, "I'll skip all the irritating stuff he said and did before the game and jump right to what happened (exception: in an Email to me earlier in the day he tells me: "it's a conference game, so I should do the plate." F--- him!)--an incident that I believe would have gotten him fired had Yeast or Fetch seen it."
Why hasn't he seen it? You should have forwarded the e-mail to the assigner just as soon as you got home. And a second e-mail should have followed that as a written confirmation of what happened before, during, and after the game.

Was a written followup to the phone call made?

3. I am having a hard time figuring out just what Ump25 really thinks of Fetch My problem with Fetch is personal and it will do no good to bash him further by providing the details of what happened between us.

He defended Fetch after I said something negative about him. He talked about fairness and personally liking Fetch. But then (through interpolation) he indicts Fetch as the cause of "serious problems" within the CBUA.

After describing the incident Ump25 said, "And this guy's a regular D-I umpire? In all honestly, if it's guys like this who get such games, there's a serious problem."

Amen brother.

If an unprofessional umpire is getting games in the CBUA then there are many people to blame...the ASSIGNER, the coaches who tolerate the bahaviour, and other umpires who continue to work with him.

[UMP25]

Daryl, the individual who assigned Bob to work with me I very much respect. While we both knew that Bob tended to suffer from the "little man/big head syndrome," neither of us expected him to do what he did. Therefore, please don't blame him, because I can't fault him for assigning Bob.

I'll jump to #3 for the moment. I am NOT indicting Fetch at all, nor was it my intention to claim that the CBUA has serious problems. It was more of a general statement. The guys I know of and have seen in the CBUA are good and professional individuals, and all the interaction I have had with Fetch has been equally good and professional. Of course, this doesn't mean that one will never run into a guy who doesn't cause one to raise an eyebrow from time to time.

As far as reporting this incident, I spoke to the assignor about it and even asked him if I should bring it to the attention of Yeast and/or Fetchiet. I also discussed this with other reputable NCAA umpires whom I respect to get their opinions. Every one of them recommended that I NOT take this any further. Several reasons were given, but among them were explanations that according to what they knew, Bob wasn't perceived by others to be as good as he thinks he is; that my reporting of this could be construed as petty and can backfire; that Bob would eventually get his comeuppance; etc.

I'm one who has always been a rather straightforward individual in just about every aspect of life, but I admit that sometimes not saying anything can be more preferable than saying something. Considering that Bob has been around longer than I have--heck, he's at least 15 years older than I am, I'm guessing--I didn't want to be seen as a vindictive backstabber of some sort.

In short, I considered his actions unprofessional but didn't consider them a major, federal offense. I didn't want to make a mountain out of a molehill, you might say. Perhaps my original post above seemed like I was. If so, that is an incorrect interpretation of it. Instead, it was just meant as an example of a, shall I say, "memorable" experience with a partner.

Let's let this specific incident die right here. There is no need to pursue it further. You can contact me privately if you have any additional questions.