Another classy move by the AMLU

[gsf23]

Lawump,

I really don’t think that anyone here is actually blaming the umpire in this situation. The amateurs were questioned because of their experience, only fair to some that this guy has his questioned as well. Personally, I think if the guy is working AAA ball he probably has enough experience of he wouldn’t be there.

The point I was making was that if this story was exactly the same, the only difference being “replacement umpire” instead of “pro umpire”, there would have been all kinds of guys on here saying, “there you go, another example of an inexperienced amateur not able to handle the pressure of pro ball. A REAL ump would have never let it get so far that he had to eject three people. He was probably telling that scab to bear down because he had become so frustrated with the horrible officiating that is ruining his chances to get called up”.

And please don’t tell me that it wouldn’t have happened. Christ, after the Young bat throwing incident there were guys here saying that would have never happened with a pro ump behind the plate and the “scab” got exactly what he deserved.

[lawump]

Originally Posted by gsf23

Lawump,

I really don’t think that anyone here is actually blaming the umpire in this situation. The amateurs were questioned because of their experience, only fair to some that this guy has his questioned as well. Personally, I think if the guy is working AAA ball he probably has enough experience of he wouldn’t be there.

The point I was making was that if this story was exactly the same, the only difference being “replacement umpire” instead of “pro umpire”, there would have been all kinds of guys on here saying, “there you go, another example of an inexperienced amateur not able to handle the pressure of pro ball. A REAL ump would have never let it get so far that he had to eject three people. He was probably telling that scab to bear down because he had become so frustrated with the horrible officiating that is ruining his chances to get called up”.

And please don’t tell me that it wouldn’t have happened. Christ, after the Young bat throwing incident there were guys here saying that would have never happened with a pro ump behind the plate and the “scab” got exactly what he deserved.

Oh, you are right...I agree...it would have happened. No doubt. I'm just suggesting that it is hypocritical to criticize, repeatedly, pro-AMLU posters for posting stories about replacement umpires and then turn around and post one showing an AMLU member in a negative light. (And I admit this hypocrisy may be a two way street.) And while the poster who originally posted the link to the story may have posted it as a "rib" to pro-AMLU posters (a "rib" I get and was amused by), other posters ("anti-AMLU" posters) have taken it seriously.

As an aside, during the strike, while I personally did not point to one specific story and slam that particular replacement...I did state that the large majority of stories discussing replacement umpires were "negative" in their discussion of the umpires. My point at that time was NOT to slam replacements, as much as it was to suggest that such press was needed to aid AMLU's cause. (The theory being that owners/management would eventually move toward AMLU's demands if there was too much negative press. Obviously, this did not happen (for a number of reasons) and WWTB's prediction of the result of the strike was pretty close to being on the money.)

I'm not sure I agree with your first paragraph...several posters, at least to me, seem to be seriously critcizing this umpire...

[gsf23]

Well, if they are putting the blame on the umpire I don’t think that that is right either. It wouldn’t be right if he was a replacement guy and it’s not right if he’s a pro guy. Could he have handled it differently? Probably, but once he gives that warning he has to follow through with it or it will just cause even more problems.

I’m not a pro guy, but I tend to let a lot more inside pitching and HBP go than most before giving a warning. But, I was a bit of a jerk I guess you would say when I pitched. I did peg a guy in high school once while I was warming up.

[GerryB]

I posted it as a rib.
Ejections happen; they are not always indicative of the umpire's abilities or lack thereof. The media reports, either side, are so biased and ignorant that judging how it should have happened is pointless.
For the record I was asked, and declined.