"real umpires"

[Tim C]

We already know what Minor League umpires think of any non-professional umpires.

They made themselves VERY clear on several umpire webiste during their much maligned "strike".

I respect your right to express your personal opinion.

AS I have stated before: "Real umpires work real baseball."

I don't buy either your logic or opinion and that is what makes this fun.

Regards,

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Tim C

AS I have stated before: "Real umpires work real baseball."

So, where are you drawing the line for the definition of "real umpires?"

Do you not agree that those at a higher level than you would not consider you a "real umpire?"

I mean, you had a cup of coffee in the bigs, but you don't work those games regularly, so where do you stand on the "real umpire" ladder?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by David B

Maybe its easy to umpire Hs games in your area, but when I was in TX and where I am now there is a huge difference in "small ball" and HS ball.

No, actually my area is well known for having some of the top teams in the country, and has many of its star athletes make it to pro ball. Prep baseball is taken as seriously here as high school football is on a Texas Friday night.

I find that working any level of baseball comes fairly easy and naturally to me. I may not be the best there is, but I have truly always been a natural at it. I also have trained hard for it, studied hard for it, and tried to learn everything I possibly could for it.

I continue to learn new things all the time, so that I can improve myself. That is one reason I come to these sites, and I have learned a great deal. I feel that what I have picked up here, and at other umpire forums has made me a better umpire than I was before.

[Tim C]

Ya know Steve I can select to make any determination as to who is or not a "real umpire."

I would surely expect an up and coming MiLB umpire to not respect umpires that work non-professional games. It is drilled into them over-and-over -- "hate your partner cuz you'll have to climb over his not yet cold body to get to the biggest stage."

Steve, I would suggest that on "my list" of requirments to be a "real umpire" would follow some sort of "experinece+education+quality of baseball umpired+size of diamond= Real" type equation.

To paraphrase Potter Stewart: "When I see one I know it!"

And SDS, I don't see them thar guys on small diamond games.

I have been called arrogant, caustic, condescending and conceited . . . I guess we should add: judgemental.

Regards,

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I have been called arrogant, caustic, condescending and conceited . . . I guess we should add: judgemental.

I hope that you don't think that these are positive, endearing traits for one to display. JMO

[Tim C]

Steve, I do see them as "qualities" . . .

Regards,

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I have been called arrogant, caustic, condescending and conceited . . . I guess we should add: judgemental.

Regards,

Sounds like pro material to me...if only you could add "young."

[LilLeaguer]

I'll take a position in this discussion. I don't care at all what some people think you need to do to be a "real umpire." It's a silly discussion designed to dismiss certain folks due to arbitrary characteristics. If members of this group want to dismiss me because of the level of ball I work, I chose this handle to make it easy for them.

A good umpire:

• Exercises good judgment. Her decisions are consistent with the facts.
• Applies the rules correctly with deferrence to appropriate custom and usage.
• Manages the game with respect for the participants and to keep it moving efficiently.
• Works well with her partner or partners by taking care of her responsibilities and supporting them in theirs.

Everything else: dress, equipment, training, mechanics, experience, and raw talent (whatever that is) are useful and necessary tools to achieve the goals, nothing more.

[Justme]

Originally Posted by fwump

The answer is yes and yes. I started calling for JD just this year and you are correct...there are about a half dozen "decent" guys in his group. I consider myself among those. And yes most take their cash and want to get out as quick as possible. But that could be because most of the time its really bad baseball. And its awfully hot in July.

Mike

Ahhhhh, failure has many excuses!

[David B]

Originally Posted by fwump

The answer is yes and yes. I started calling for JD just this year and you are correct...there are about a half dozen "decent" guys in his group. I consider myself among those. And yes most take their cash and want to get out as quick as possible. But that could be because most of the time its really bad baseball. And its awfully hot in July.

Mike

Wow how things have changed. When I lived and worked in FWorth it was probably the best group of umpires in the north part of the state.

Most of the guys who worked HS also worked college and it was incredible baseball especially in the summer when all the college guys returned to play and improve their games.

You either had to be good or you didn't get to call the games - everyone else was left to call the pony and colt league games.

Of course that was 20 years ago, but still sad to see.

Thanks
David

[Justme]

[QUOTE=Tim C]
I don't buy either your logic or opinion and that is what makes this fun.
/QUOTE]

We do agree on one thing Tim, our right to disagree on the board does make this fun

[nickrego]

An umpire is an (real) umpire, no matter what size field they work on.

But, the 60' diamond, and the way the games are called, is a very different animal from the 90' diamond, and the way those games are called. I have experience on both.

Both fields require well trained, experienced umpires, that deserve the credit that is do ANY umpire, that is sincerely doing the best job that they can.

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by PWL

A "real" umpire doesn't wear a HSM......... Or so I've been told....

Your supposed to use "AN" before an abbreviation !

Or can't you see your typo's through that limited vision MASK of yours ?

[ozzy6900]

This is another thread that needs to end!


It has become evident that there is no resolution to the original question and it has turned into the usual mud slinging mess!

[fwump]

Originally Posted by Justme

Ahhhhh, failure has many excuses!

I've never "failed" on a baseball diamond...at least not as an umpire. I was trying to be funny. I should have used one of those little smiling emotacons so you would get the nuance. My bad.

Mike