Cubs/Cardinals
 

Did anyone notice tonight in the 8th inning that older gentleman in the cubs dugout with an official umpire uniform on? He had a light blue jersey with the black hat with the major league logo on it. Just wondering if anyone caught a glimpse of that guy and wondering who that was.

Was it Montague?

Yes, he arrived late due to his flight being delayed. He just watched the rest of the game from the comfort of the dugout. The rat!:D

What a way to umpire a baseball game... from the winning dugout. ;)

Of course, the Cards gave up the lead, but we are used to that now whenever we play the Cubs.

Everyone knows that the best view of any play is from the dugout.

I don't blame him for staying in the dugout. We all know that's where you get the best angle for the outside corner!

I didn't see the game but I think it was the attendant for the umpires room. I've seen many Cubs games and he's usually in the Cubs dugout wearing an umpires cap.

I didn't see Montague, but I do think that was the umpire attendent. He was wearing a royal blue shirt under his umpire jersey. Why wouldn't Ed just hop in there when he arrived? What inning was it when he got there?

Here's how the umpires appear in the box score...somewhat funny...(from Sportsline)

Umpires - Home - Jerry Layne, First Base - Mark Wegner, Second Base - UMP Nonindividual, Third Base - Marvin Hudson

In the game notes it says: "The umpires worked with a three-man crew because Ed Montague missed his flight."

I heard Nonindividual didn't miss a call all game! Plus, he rotated left or right depending on if it was a right or left handed batter at the plate, just like Joe taught him!!!:D

An intriguing question....
 

How do you all feel when your 'partner' shows up after the beginning of the game?

In our League, Junior Umpires are dismissed when they show up late. It's marginally acceptable to miss the Home Plate Conference (assuming an acceptable reason) but after I call 'Play', just keep on driving, do not pass go, do not collect your fee.

I think after one complete inning, they could be allowed in the game but some rat somewhere would complain I'm sure.:p

In our HS association, if you arrive anytime after the start of the game up until the beginning of the bottom of the 4th inning (mid-point of the scheduled contest), you get 1/2 fee. If you arrive later than that you get no fee and your partner gets both fees, same as a complete no-show. Might as well keep on driving at that point.

Allowances are made for cars breaking down or medical emergencies, as these are just about the only viable excuses for not being on time.

at the MLB level, if Montague arrived at the ball park in say the 6th or 7th inning, do you think he should have gone on the field? Certainly both managers and MLB would be understanding of his situation, but do you think it would be unprofessional?

My feeling is no, as long as he's ready to umpire the game, get him out there. Getting four guys on the field should trump "what looks good" IMO.

Why wouldn't his crew have come together since they worked in Oakland the night before.

Tim McClelland arrived late (after the 1st inning or so) a while back for a Cleveland-Chicago game and just came on the field in between innings.