When will Officials Learn

[Ump20]

Originally posted by PeteBooth
...

Whenever as a unit we walk off the field and hear nothing means we did our job . Some umpires like to hang around and for some strange reason want to hear a coach or some parents say "good game blue" - perhaps Politicking for their next assignment.

When the game is over good or bad I simply meet my partner and we both walk off together towards our cars. No hanging around etc.

Umpiring in a way is like being a Parent - It's a thankless job and only we ourselves or our partner know if we did a good job or not...

I certainly agree that oftentimes there is far too much sucking up that some umpires do with coaches. This seemed to especially prevail at the Varsity High School level in my area. I would state though that it might be a good idea for a newer official to see what the norms are for their association. Oftentimes our route to the parking lot is behind homeplate taking both PU and BU in close proximity to coaches. I am more than willing in those situations to shake an extended hand. To do otherwise when most other officials are paying that courtesy might be misinterpreted. You must however depart from such displays when your partner has not enjoyed a smooth game be he PU or BU. In those cases certainly just leave the field. Jim/NYC