Hate working teams like this?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Justme

While I’m venting, my partner, who is new to our association but suppose to be a hot shot umpire from up north, showed up about 5-minutes before the start of the game (he got lost). He had forgotten to put his uniform in his car so he was in his work clothes but did have a black cap and an indicator. He apologized and told me that while this was only his 2nd game with our association he was a good umpire, even cocky. Great, not only do I have a mismatched game I also have a ‘cocky’ partner. His umpiring skills were “unique”. He went out on all fly balls from the B/C position, even after I told him not to. He ignored my signals and verbal communication and was running all over the place, even helping me make my calls. I had to look at him before making a call to see if he was signaling something He would go to one knee to avoid a throw rather than get into the correct position. He made his calls no later than the exact moment that the ball reached the play. The F6 had to ask him to move because he was blocking his view when he was in the "C" position (he would stand closer to 3B). The list goes on and on. I figure that he has photos of our assignor cheating on his wife, that’s the only explanation for him getting any assignments.

It sounds like this "Yankee" from up north's experience was limited to some low-level Little League. That kneeling to avoid the throw reminds me of the adult "helpers" (more like "hindrances") that leagues would foist upon me to work the bases. Whenever possible, I would tell the league, "no, thanks, I would rather work alone."

I wouldn't have allowed a so-called "real" umpire on the field with me without his uniform. One badly dressed umpire, and all people will remember is that the umpires looked like sh*t.