Stance

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by PWL

And you're good at putting words in people's mouths. Some one could have very well have signed in for him without his knowledge. I don't know who they sign in for nor do I even care. We have a board, but never get a report. It seems they pick certain people for certain things. I find it strange the same people who run together get playoff games together.

What I alluded to was if plate and field mechanics were a specific requirement, some people who work higher level games shouldn't be working them. I've seem some who are past their prime, if they ever had one to begin with.

Now, I think we have some very knowledgeable and competent officials. They just don't make themselves accessible. Like Dave said about fishing and cutting bait. They put themselves in the position that they should cut bait.

Way to hijack a thread..........

Hey, pal....you're the one to mention Dave's name in the same context of people cheating and things you couldn't mention. I asked if you accusing Dave. You could have just answered the question.

No one's hijacked anything. We've moved along to the policy Dave mentioned of your coaches selecting post season umps. Keep up.

In my area, playoff coaches can name three umps they would like to see on the dish or their home games, and three they want to scratch from any of their home games. The commissioner tries to accomodate the plate job requests (but, it is often the same few guys that EVERYBODY wants anyway!) and always honors the scratch list! I don't really have a problem with this, nor do most the umpires in my association I have talked to about it. You don't have to make anybodies "preferred" list to do playoffs, and you could still do an away game for a team who has scratched you! (don't get any funny ideas! Nobody ever knows if they have been scratched, and it should be that way!)

[greymule]

BTW, are they no longer teaching basic writing and grammar skills in our schools ?

In most American schools today, no. Unfortunately.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by greymule

BTW, are they no longer teaching basic writing and grammar skills in our schools ?

In most American schools today, no. Unfortunately.

They're still "teaching" it. Unfortunately, there is no longer a requirement that it be learned.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

Coach's providing feedback is important, but having them select who works the playoffs is a bit much.

What should be more important, the opinions of coach's or the respect of your peers?

Too many cons outweigh the pros.

Even if the coaches knew enough about mechanics, rules, and game management to make an intelligent decision, there would still be the matter of which umpires the coaches have seen through the season.

We told American Legion we would no longer work their games when the commissioner insisted on having approval of which of our members worked Legion games. He dropped that demand.

[jkumpire]

In my little association, I might be considerd "a big dog". Not that I am a great umpire or anything (though I think I am great umpire), but I spend 12 months a year on umpiring, and I do a lot of work in my local association, like teaching new umpires and etc.

So here is what I have to say to you:

1. The ultimate test of umpiring is the "mirror test". Can you look at yourself in the mirror the day after a game and say you did the best you can for those kids you umpired. That means are you the best umpire you can be with your "skill set"? If yes, then who really cares what anyone else thinks.

2. If you don't get any tournament games, who cares? If you pass the mirror test, then you are in good shape. There are some great umpires in my area who should be doing State Finals in baseball, and are better IMO than a lot of guys who are getting the games. For whatever reason, they don't get them. Many times it has nothing to do with politics, or anything else. Life isn't always fair.

3. I may be a big dog who baseball has passed by, but I see a lot of people who are not great B/S umpires because of a mechanical flaw or flaws, which lead to inconsistency. They may think they have a great zone and they think they are funamentally sound, but when they have the money pitch on the corner they miss it. Or when they have a big regular season game with two good batteries they hear the inconsistent word thrown all around them. Or on the tough pitches, they are not consistent.

Maybe those big dogs are in your corner, and want you to take the next step in your career. And they see something you need to think about doing to make your B/S better. Don't be so stubborn you don't at least listen to the older guys, and think about their advice. Ultimately it's your call, their advice might be bad. But doesn't hundred's or thousands of games under someone's belt give them some insight as to what might improve your work?

Or is it that every big dog in your association ar guys with 1 year of experience 20 times, instead of 20 years experience? Think about it.