thoughts on these types of umpires.
 

I noticed this a few times in my district, and it p*sses me off.

During all stars, the 4 umpires are assigned to a game, and then they are allowed to decide where they will work. Well, a few rotten apples out there act like babies and only will work a certain position, or else they will turn around and head home. Got anyone like that? Makes me mad. :mad:

I used to. Until I stopped scheduling him. Let guys like this walk.

When I was given the honor of working 4-man at the National Area Code Showcase games at Qualcomm Stadium in 2000, I was assigned to work games on back-to-back days. The first day, I wasn't allowed to work the plate because an umpire senior to me insisted on the plate. I then chose 1st base. The next day, with an entirely different crew, again a senior umpire chose the plate. Again, I chose 1st base. I wanted as much action as I could get. But I would have worked any position. I think seniority should have something to do with who works what.

I think not Steve, no matter how many years youve worked it doesnt entitle you to demand you work a certain postition. take your turn like everyone else. Sure we may not be "professional umpires" but it makes no difference. Sure, its more fun to work HP and 1st, but some people need to learn to work the other pos. like everyone else. I dont care weather its your first year or your 30th, it doesnt entitle you to boss the other umpires around and insist working a pos. or decide to not umpire. I think my UIC should start assigning who works what.

Spoken like a true rookie. Yes, if a crew is working a series, they should rotate positions. But those positions are assigned based on seniority, even in the majors. If a 4 man crew is working one game, then it makes complete sense that the positions get picked via seniority.

Pay your dues, kid. You can't take the 6 items or less express lane to being a veteran umpire.

I agree completely, and were I the UIC, I'd put you where you could do the least damage.

Dave, you didnt understand me right.

What i mean was, umpires who game after game insist upon to work the same position over and over again, not allowing any body else learn anything. Sure, as a starting point for the first game seniority makes sense. Then change positions there after. But when vertern umpires start saying "im working this position or else im not umpiring" isnt right. As far as im conserned, stay home. I dont wanna work with you if u have that kind of attitude. Seniority does not give the UMPIRE himself the right to pick and choose all the time. Put your pants on one leg at a time, like everyone else does. If i were in charge, i'd rather have a smaller number of GOOD umpiring, then a larger number working the tournaments that wanna wine and moan. end of rant. All umpires should get experience doing all the positions.

You are either 1) Lance's son he never knew he had in Pennsylvania or 2) do not have not the first clue about umpiring.

Using seniority is the easy way for the assignor to place umpires. That way he doesn't make judgement calls on who actually is the best umpire for each position. Letting the umpires choose, based on seniority, is the second easiest way to do things.

Please don't equate easy with fair, correct, best or any other proper term. It's just the easiet.

I've come across only one fellow that would only do plates. I think it was more of a mobility issue (he didn't like to move), than a pomposity one. Perhaps a touch of both.

I am not only thrilled that I have never been a member of a Gestapo-like group which imparts the assignor's will as to who works which position, but I would never goosestep to that marching music.

Letting the umpires choose, based on seniority, and then alternating in each successive pairing with the same partner is the very first choice for ease in assigning.

My HS assignment secretary has way too many games to assign to have to sit around figuring which umpire should work the plate, and which one should work the bases.

It is the all-star tournament Dan is referring to......when it comes to post season, the veteran umpire is usually the crew chief and he assigns the rotation (or picks where he wants to work). You have been doing this for one year, relax a little, be honored you were selected for the post season, shut your mouth and listen. That is the best way to learn, earn respect from your peers and maybe sometime (it will take years) you will be the senior guy on the crew and you can pick where you want to work..

So your association uses tournaments as a learning experience for umpires ? :eek:

I was posting about post season assignments, like the op was talking about, not regular season games. Post season stuff is usually handled differently.

I wouldnt necessarily say that the "veteran umpire" is the crew chief and he picks, who ever is HP is the crew chief is how its done. Its up to the umpires them selves (agreed upon before the game). Nobody at the feild puts us wear we work. Hope that mnakes it clearer. One of the guys usually asks who wants to do what. Kinda what happened when i stumbed into doing the plate in a district champ. 10-11 softball. Veteran umpire asked who wants to do what, He didnt have it gear, and the other guy got done from working HP that afternoon, so i was the only left to work. Vet. ump took first base. The other guy hadnt shown up to the feild until about 10 minutes before game time, so he was left with taking 3rd :D

Why get mad?
 

Okay, so let's assume this guy is a jerk, he is working the plate and you are not working the plate. This guy is happy because he is doing what he wanted. You're mad because you're not doing what you wanted. Now imagine if you switch places with the jerk. You're gonna get mad again because the unhappy jerk went home. Now look on the bright side; you make the same amount of money.