Civility

[BlueLawyer]

I have been on this board for about a month, and I have to say, at times, that I have been shocked. Considering where I have been and what I have done in life, that's an accomplishment.

It takes an ego to officiate sports. No other situation is possible; if you don't have the self-esteem to stand behind your own controversial call, you will quickly find another hobby or profession, as the case may be.

I understand the ego. Mine's about a size 12 1/2.

But what I don't understand is the seeming predisposition of some folks on this board to take any level of disagreement to an instant personal attack. I would characterize some of those personal attacks as just viscious. I have been sucked into some of these juvenile, ad hominem attacks myself. I have reread some of my posts and am downright ashamed of myself.

It may partly be a function of the AMLU strike and all the passions that has ignited, on both sides of the issue. But it certainly spreads to other areas of this board and non-strike related posts. I can tell you that I have often thought "Man, I'm glad I have never worked a game with this guy. He must dump someone everytime he steps on the field."

Here are my points, in no particular order:

1. One of the main functions of this board, I would assume, at least, is to be a forum for education and sharing of experiences amongst umpires. I think that function suffers in an atmosphere of routine personal attacks.

2. I don't know where everybody else works. Here in Arkansas fans, at least, believe that part of the price of admission to a baseball game is a license to verbally abuse the umpires. Sometimes coaches and players think that way, too. I take enough ignorant crap from non-umpires about umpiring. Why do some of us feel the near-pathological need to pile crap (ignorant or well-informed, it makes no difference, it still stinks) on each other?

3. Do we/would we say the things we write on this board to each other on the phone? In person? After a n*t-cutting ballgame?

4. We aren't the Isrealis and Palestenians. Most of us are umpires, and while baseball is important to all of us, it is not the end of the world, the War on Terror or the Darfur Crisis.

No, I am not Rodney King asking us to all get along. I am observing that the level of vitriol on this board is amazing, and I think it serves no real purpose other than venting steam. It appears to me to be self-destructive.

For that in which I have personally engaged, I apologize. I sincerely hope we all can step back and stop hammering each other quite so much.

Strikes and outs!

[BigUmp56]

Nice post, counselor.

Actually, The Official Forum is pretty tame in comparison to what the first Internet umpiring forum became. The AMLU issue aside, the problem, as I see it, can be directly related to a few individuals who will not heed a voice of reason.

I don't know why these individuals cannot accept criticism when they make innaccurate statements. I suppose they've grown so accustomed to being the man in charge on the field that they feel they're above accountibilty here as well. It takes a man to admitt they can be wrong at times. Instead of being a man about it, there a few individuals that have grown accustomed to throwing child like tantrums when challenged.

It really is a shame we have to continue to endure the few that do this.


Tim.

[DIV2ump]

Agree 100%!!!

I think most of us would rather talk baseball anyway!!!

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by PWL

Yeah Tim, see if you can't calm Ole' Poot down. He sounds like he's on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

I've looked at pretty much all the threads on this forum for over 9 months. In that time I've yet to see a member using the moniker Ole' Poot. Could you explain who it is you're reffering to as an Old pu$$y?


Tim.

[Carbide Keyman]

Originally Posted by PWL

Yeah Tim, see if you can't calm Ole' Poot down. He sounds like he's on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

And the civility thread begins its descent into the murky morass...................



Doug

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by PWL

Yeah Tim, see if you can't calm Ole' Poot down. He sounds like he's on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

I believe he was vaguely referring to you, PW. I also asked you very nicely not to keep calling me Poot.

BTW, this does not upset me, so I'm not on any verge of any nervous breakdown. You are actually quite funny, in a pathetic sort of way.

[JRutledge]

BlueLawyer,

I agree with just about everything you say. The problem is there are people that come here to pump up their abilities rather than add to the discussion. There are people here that do not understand that we all come from different backgrounds, ability levels, goals in officiating and just plain have a difference of opinion on issues which makes us neither right nor wrong on many issues. There has always been fighting on the internet and there always will be. That is what happens when people have funny names, do not have to stand by what they say by either us looking them in the eye or putting their name on their words. If you do stick around for longer than a month you will find this out. Right now the hot topic is the AMLU-Minor League issue. Before the season people were disputing the issue of a rising fastball. People say things online they would never say to a person when they are faced with that very person. This is just a nature of the beast. I have gone to other websites like this and officiating was not the topic and the very same type of personal attacks, disagreements and hyperbole takes place there as well. It will never fully change.

The main advice I can give to you is to read with caution, pick your battles and understand that not everyone is coming at this site with the same perspective. I have seen your post on every one of the sports boards on this site before. No matter what those criticisms still take place often and usually there disputes are carry-over discussions from past discussions.

Peace

[BlueLawyer]

Thanks for the kind words. All valid points.

I have someone in my association (my assignor and the rules interpreter, as it happens) with whom I regularly butt heads on umpiring issues and association business (I'm on the exec board- he's a former President). It usually works like this: he says something or posts something I disagree with. I argue against him with varying degrees of passion, depending on the issue and how wrong I believe him to be. We argue, sometimes he wins, and then we go have a beer and make up. The loser of the argument buys the first round. He is slowly getting an education in courtroom technique.

The relationship works, I think, because of mutual professional respect, necessity (we have to work together both on the field and off) and beer.

There are very few umpires I have met in person who I don't like, including the two or three MLB guys. Maybe the general lack of personal contact is what we lack, although I would still think we share a whole lot more in common than any thing that divides us.

By the way, my name is Zega. Only my mother and the judges I work with call me "Steve".

Strikes and outs!

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BlueLawyer

Thanks for the kind words. All valid points.

I have someone in my association (my assignor and the rules interpreter, as it happens) with whom I regularly butt heads on umpiring issues and association business (I'm on the exec board- he's a former President). It usually works like this: he says something or posts something I disagree with. I argue against him with varying degrees of passion, depending on the issue and how wrong I believe him to be. We argue, sometimes he wins, and then we go have a beer and make up. The loser of the argument buys the first round. He is slowly getting an education in courtroom technique.

The relationship works, I think, because of mutual professional respect, necessity (we have to work together both on the field and off) and beer.

There are very few umpires I have met in person who I don't like, including the two or three MLB guys. Maybe the general lack of personal contact is what we lack, although I would still think we share a whole lot more in common than any thing that divides us.

By the way, my name is Zega. Only my mother and the judges I work with call me "Steve".

Strikes and outs!

Funny you said this. I have in the past several years been on a board official’s association in multiple associations in each of the sports I officiate. The people I have dealt with are some of the biggest egos in officiating where I live. Almost every board has an assignor, state final official, college official, state clinician or one of the better officials and officials that are on the verge of working a state final or breaking the D1 level. All these egos bump heads from time to time. Even in the most intensive debates or discussions, usually the discussions maintain a professional tone and we all go out have drinks after the meeting. You will not be on many of the boards if someone does not respect you as an official. So even when things get contentious in our meetings, we all know that in that room everyone has given back a lot to the organization. Online that is very hard to translate and many of us have no idea what the other has done. There is not the same mutual respect. It is also very easy to claim you have done something and none of us will ever be able to verify in the first place. This is why one of the primary reasons I come here is to talk about something I love and to pass time and to find entertainment in the conversation. It is fun to talk officiating even when there is some conflict. I also do not come here with the expectation that I am going to hear something or discuss an issue that will be new to me or that I cannot discuss off this board. This can be a great resource at times but ultimately what I learn from is the veterans I work with and the camps I attend.

Peace

[TussAgee11]

This is only natural. To be an umpire, you have to be authoratative. Bunch of "Type As". Never get along all at once. Shouldn't be that way, not an excuse to some posters, but I'm afraid its just a fact.

[BigUmp56]

Jeff:

I have to say that I was impressed by your last post. It was probably the most concise and meaningful post I've seen you write. You're absolutely right, in that it's very much about simple respect. I don't care if they like it or not, but there has to be a certain amount of accountibility when information is imparted incorrectly by certain individuals. What sets the more prominent members of this board apart from a very select narrow minded individuals is their ability to accept a measure of accountibilty for the information they impart. I respect, and think most of us resect, a man who is willing to say he make a mistake. We have a few that I believe argue for the sake of arguing. These individuals could care less whether or not we respect them, and in turn afford no one else any respect.


Tim.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Okay, now I am asking you nicely for the 3rd time. Please stop calling me Poot. It is very childish.

[BigUmp56]

This thread is supposed to be about civility, yet here you are again acting like a child, PWL. Why don't you step back a moment, collect yourself and try to act like a man instead of a three year old. Do you not realize how much of a laughing stock you are to the members of this board? Please stop the name calling and grow up. I would like to get back to discussing officiating this game. There have been several thread put up today where you could have contributed something of value, but here you are disrupting the forum once again.



Tim.

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

If you have ever attended a professional school or clinic, you quickly learn that we don't sing "We are Family." There is barking and direct confrontation. Respect is earned and quickly lost - umpires should know two things: 1) You are only as good as your last call and 2) you should learn to grow thick skin.

This board treats issues fairly well. Some umpires have a problem staying on topic and dance when they offer an opinion that is proven false. The beauty of the internet is that one can remain anonymous, if one so chooses. Some umpires are not compelled to use a legal name, as it is of no import. They realize that they are not doing this for ego or personal gain. If you, as an umpire, stroll the field with the air of the elite, then I can understand why it is important to see legal names posted here. I suggest that you have your name stitched onto the back of your shirt or jacket too.

Civility is a double edged sword. If I agree with Tom then Dick may think I'm slighting him for disagreeing with his view. I'll never understand why umpires are afraid to state their opinions and live with the consequences. When you make a call on the field, you'd better be prepared for a challenge.

I've been called just about every name in the book - on the field and off. They are simple words and cause me little concern. I am well versed with the English language and usually can parry with the best of them. I have never written anything here that I wouldn't say to another's face. Often, the case is that the other member's ability to argue effectively is running on empty. Communication is a primary skill of umpiring. Learn how to listen and reply.

The biggest shortfall of this and any other internet discussion board is the inability of some to read. The message is lost when preconceived notions creep in. Like judging a play before it happens, it looks horrible and usually results in the umpire getting reprimanded.

This board is what it is...an opportunity to present an opinion. Umpires do this daily and deal with the ramifications. Nothing is worse than seeing how the other boards handle rule interps:
Ump1- ...so rule 14-3-8 states that it should always be called this way.
Ump2- I agree.
Ump3- Good call, blue.
Ump4- I once had this happen and I used 14-3-8 to make the call.
Ump5- Ump1 nailed it...how are you blue?
Ump6- Thanks for the nice words Ump5, it was easy.
Ump7- The first umpire got this right. Don't look any further.
Ump8- Ump2 onced posted this play. Ump1 is dead on.
Ump9- Hey, everybody, 14-3-8 is the answer.
Ump10- Thanks Ump9, welcome to the board.

Blah, blah, blah, kiss, kiss, kiss, yada, yada, yada...

A little confrontation does an ump's soul good. Hijacking posts is the tactic of those who need glory instead of anonymity. My arm is plenty long enough to pat myself on the back, I don't require adoration or kudos. I don't get them on the field and use a nom de net to remind myself that being an umpire is just a function of the game. If you believe the praise then you better be able to accept the boos.

[spots101]

SDS,

Just let it go man. PWL raggin' on you is the same as schoolyard teasing. The only reason the kids keep doing it is because that particular person gets mad. If he/she just walked away it would get boring and the teasing, namecalling, etc. would stop. Besides, what is Poot anyway....it's just a word. Besides, you're a fellow South Sider right?

Sticks and stones dude.