Parking lots... where the clowns live

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Striker991

Depends...which "god" you are speaking of and the context in which it is used.

Okay, in your asinine comment, God should have been capitalized, as you were referring to a specific god. You did not say "one of the gods' gift." You said "God's gift," and in that context, it is a proper noun.

Quit telling people in big letters to shut up, you know nobody is going to! I have done more than my share of big time HS varsity, Legion, adult ball, whatever. I'm not above working LL games, as this past season I worked proves. The highest level I did this season was a few Senior Games. The rest were lower levels. But I got paid to do these games, and not just a hot dog and a Coke. LL Majors pays $38 to $45 dollars here, depending on the league. The reason is that they don't have anyone who will do it for free!

And judging by the amount of grief you receive working these games, as Tee would say, as a "glorified baby sitter," it's no surprise that there is a shortage of volunteers.

In 20 years of HS ball I didn't get as much crap thrown at me as in ONE season doing Little League! There is no way I would even consider working games for free.

[Striker991]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Okay, in your asinine comment, God should have been capitalized, as you were referring to a specific god. You did not say "one of the gods' gift." You said "God's gift," and in that context, it is a proper noun..

No, I wasn't referring to the specific god of Christianity. I wasn't referring to any specific god. Don't assume. If I would have meant that, I would have capitalized it.

"In 20 years of HS ball I didn't get as much crap thrown at me as in ONE season doing Little League! There is no way I would even consider working games for free."

In the words of Mr. Rutledge, maybe you need to grow some sack.

The sad part of all of this is that people feel they need to get paid for helping out in their community, whether it is officiating, helping with community centers, working in parks, etc. It is a very sad commentary about what our society has become when people don't feel that something is worth doing unless they are compensated.

Those that are commenting about doing what they do for a living or for extra money isn't worth doing for free should look at programs like Habitat for Humanity. These people that make much more as carpenters, plumbers, roofers, etc at their jobs than you would ever dream about making as an umpire are willing to use their talents for free to assist someone else, even though they get nothing for it and it is "work" and time spend away from their immediate families.

Even though there are issues with many youth programs, the truth is that these programs teach the kids many valuable life lessons and keep them from spending their time in less favorable activities. It is easy for you guys that refuse to involve yourselves to criticize. What did you do to help improve the situation while you were (if you were) involved? Or, as most do, just gripe and complain and leave?

So, don't be involved; that is your choice. You have other priorities; that's great! However, if you have nothing to contribute to improve, then you have nothing to belittle and demean. It just shows how little of a person you must be to belittle and demean those that are trying to make a difference in those programs.

The really small people are the ones that ridicule the umpires in these programs that come here with questions and looking for information. They berate, belittle and demean their programs, then when they come here trying to improve they berate, belittle and demean them. What sense does that make? Why not be helpful and courteous? If you refuse to participate, why not assist them in these forums where you can?

Hmmmmmm?

[dddunn3d]

Rut,

It seems as if you have a problem with your priorities:

"Here is my priority list.

1. God
1. Family
1. Job
1. Officiating"

[umpduck11]

[QUOTE=Striker991]
The sad part of all of this is that people feel they need to get paid for helping out in their community, whether it is officiating, helping with community centers, working in parks, etc. It is a very sad commentary about what our society has become when people don't feel that something is worth doing unless they are compensated.
All of the youth organizations around here charge a
fee for the kids to participate. They are technically "not-for-profit groups, but
this doesn't keep them from making money. Let the kids play free, then maybe some minds would change.

Those that are commenting about doing what they do for a living or for extra money isn't worth doing for free should look at programs like Habitat for Humanity. These people that make much more as carpenters, plumbers, roofers, etc at their jobs than you would ever dream about making as an umpire are willing to use their talents for free to assist someone else, even though they get nothing for it and it is "work" and time spend away from their immediate families.

Habitat is a wonderful,noble, program, that helps people
get back on their feet. But you cannot compare it to youth baseball. People don't show up at a Habitat site, watch a while, and then start yelling at
workers that are giving their best. That is one major reason why I'd
volunteer for Habitat, but never for youth baseball.

Even though there are issues with many youth programs, the truth is that these programs teach the kids many valuable life lessons and keep them from spending their time in less favorable activities. It is easy for you guys that refuse to involve yourselves to criticize. What did you do to help improve the situation while you were (if you were) involved? Or, as most do, just gripe and complain and leave?
Some people believe that it is not their responsibility
to raise other people's children. I have done that with my own children, and
am not doing it for other's kids.

Maybe you cannot understand these points, but I tried.



QUOTE]

[Striker991]

Originally Posted by umpduck11

All of the youth organizations around here charge a
fee for the kids to participate. They are technically "not-for-profit groups, but
this doesn't keep them from making money. Let the kids play free, then maybe some minds would change.

Most, if not all youth organizations, including PONY, LL, and Babe Ruth (Cal Ripken), have scholarships and reduced fee programs. Basically, anyone that says they want to play will not be turned away by those programs. Get your facts straight, then maybe people will find you credible.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Striker991

No, I wasn't referring to the specific god of Christianity. I wasn't referring to any specific god. Don't assume. If I would have meant that, I would have capitalized it.

"In 20 years of HS ball I didn't get as much crap thrown at me as in ONE season doing Little League! There is no way I would even consider working games for free."

In the words of Mr. Rutledge, maybe you need to grow some sack.

My sack is just huge enough, thank you. Not that you should need to get personal with me to start with. Now you're just being flat-out disrespectful. To God, to me, to others who don't share your viewpoint on volunteering.

Just exactly what does not wanting to work a kiddie ball game for free have to do with having a sack, huh?

People just assume the umpires working these low level games are rooks to begin with, so they rag on the umpire. So what? That's a fact. I can deal with it just fine, I simply won't do it for free. Why should I take that kind of abuse for a hot dog and a sody pop?

Feel free to go build houses with James Earl Carter if that's what floats your boat, but quit trying to shove volunteerism down everyone's throat. It is not our civic duty to work for free.

[Striker991]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

It is not our civic duty to work for free.

What a wonderful community citizen you are. An example for all to follow. You and Rut are wonderfull illustrators of the point I'm trying to make. I'm not sure what your religion is, but you may want to research the origins of your faith...I'm not judging here, but your writing and the writings you may be claiming to follow might be contradictory...your "God" may have a different opinion than the one you share here.

[Chukinrox]

Let's stick to officiating and baseball here... If you prefer religion or politics, go to POPE.COM or BUSH.COM

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Striker991

What a wonderful community citizen you are. An example for all to follow. You and Rut are wonderfull illustrators of the point I'm trying to make. I'm not sure what your religion is, but you may want to research the origins of your faith...I'm not judging here, but your writing and the writings you may be claiming to follow might be contradictory...your "God" may have a different opinion than the one you share here.

My faith is Christianity, which is not a religion, it is a belief system. I didn't say that I would not volunteer for anything. Now you are putting words in my mouth. I said I would not umpire youth baseball for free. I also stated that if you wished to build houses with President Carter (note the respectful capitalization), then you are certainly welcome to do so.

Since you have now tried to impune my character, I will give you a peek into my life:

I did not mean to suggest that I don't do anything voluntarily. I volunteer for events with the churches I attend (I attend 3 different churches). I tithe and give offerings, which go towards missions work, feeding and clothing the poor, and many other charitable causes. I also help my wife care for her 86 year old aunt, who we rescued from a nursing home last year, as she was recovering from her stroke. We took her into our home, and provide all forms of care for her. I will spare you the gory details, but suffice to say, the work I do 3 or 4 days out of the week is the same thing they have to do in nursing homes.

I volunteered one time to serve my country, and proudly served three years in the Army. I did this during the time of an unpopular war, so it wasn't exactly a picnic dealing with civilian population at that time. I was, and still am, very patriotic and civic minded. Like the song says, "I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today."

But I repeat, it is not a civic duty to volunteer for anything. That is what makes it volunteer, the fact that it is optional, and not manditory servitude.