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.

[Justme]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

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.

I guess I was so shocked by this guy that I didn't know what to do, so I let him work.

You're right about how one poorly dressed umpire can make his partner(s) look bad. Even my 'late-in-life' 14-yo son who just recently began umpiring Pony/Babe Ruth ball never leaves home for a game unless he looks the part 100%.

Originally Posted by Justme

I guess I was so shocked by this guy that I didn't know what to do, so I let him work.

You're right about how one poorly dressed umpire can make his partner(s) look bad. Even my 'late-in-life' 14-yo son who just recently began umpiring Pony/Babe Ruth ball never leaves home for a game unless he looks the part 100%.

I'd call the assignor and have him sent home. There is NO excuse for not showing up in proper attire

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

I'd call the assignor and have him sent home. There is NO excuse for not showing up in proper attire

Too many people worry about things other than themselves.

I'd be happy to have a partner, myself. Stuff happens.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Too many people worry about things other than themselves.

I'd be happy to have a partner, myself. Stuff happens.

I would rather work alone, personally. I don't need a partner that badly. Especially one without a uniform and can't umpire to boot.

Rich, are you saying that this clown without his uniform (how do you forget your damn uniform) wouldn't make both umpires look unprofessional? You could be the sharpest dressed umpire ever, and nobody will even remember anything besides how bad the umpires looked.

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Too many people worry about things other than themselves.

I'd be happy to have a partner, myself. Stuff happens.

Stuff happens, eh? Doesn't say much for you then if you'd work with a jerk like this. Not only would I send this guy home, but I would report him to the state association. If you're so willing to lower your standards, it's not what you'd call a good reflection on you as a professional.

I'll work a whole season alone rather than have a partner who doesn't have enough self-respect to show up in uniform. If that makes me an SOB, so be it. If you don't look like an umpire, nobody will think you are one.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

What method would you use to make him go home assuming he didn't want to?

Physical restraint, if necessary. He is not working on my ball field. I could see it if he was called to come fill in, and didn't have his uniform. That would be a different story. I've filled in for no-show umpires while I had no uniform or gear with me. But to "forget" to bring your uniform? Never happened to me in well over 3,000 games.

I would tell him to go trot on back home, get his uniform, get dressed, then come back and work whatever is left of the game for free.

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Someone has to call strikes and balls, be dressed and still look the part. They're still going to ride you. Fans and coaches could not care less about what the umpire knows and what is actually required of the job.

Yes, that someone is the plate umpire, who, if push came to shove, should be able to man-up long enough to work a solo job if need be. Perhaps fans could care less, but most good coaches know incompetence when they see it, and have a pretty good idea of what the job of umpiring entails. At least the successful coaches, that is.

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Physical restraint, if necessary. He is not working on my ball field. I could see it if he was called to come fill in, and didn't have his uniform. That would be a different story. I've filled in for no-show umpires while I had no uniform or gear with me. But to "forget" to bring your uniform? Never happened to me in well over 3,000 games.

I would tell him to go trot on back home, get his uniform, get dressed, then come back and work whatever is left of the game for free.



Yes, that someone is the plate umpire, who, if push came to shove, should be able to man-up long enough to work a solo job if need be. Perhaps fans could care less, but most good coaches know incompetence when they see it, and have a pretty good idea of what the job of umpiring entails. At least the successful coaches, that is.

I agree with the above - in addition in order to umpire a game, it's mandatory to be in uniform and I can understand the fill-in. However, for a pre-scheduled assignment, an umpire is not present unless properly in uniform. In Illinois, if you're not wearing the IHSA patch some coaches would turn you in for uniform violation and they would be correct. Part of being an umpire is looking like one and that means being in the proper attire.

[BigTex]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Physical restraint, if necessary. He is not working on my ball field. I could see it if he was called to come fill in, and didn't have his uniform. That would be a different story. I've filled in for no-show umpires while I had no uniform or gear with me. But to "forget" to bring your uniform? Never happened to me in well over 3,000 games.

Are you serious????? You would actually resort to a physical confrontation to keep someone, who you did not think was prepared for the game, from working? If you feel passionately enough to actually get in a fist fight over this, put your gear back in your car and go home. I would rather be remembered as the guy who looked pretty sharp who worked with the doofus than be remembered as the guy who got in a fight with his partner in the parking lot (and then went to jail and opened himself up for a civil suit).

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

Stuff happens, eh? Doesn't say much for you then if you'd work with a jerk like this. Not only would I send this guy home, but I would report him to the state association. If you're so willing to lower your standards, it's not what you'd call a good reflection on you as a professional.

I'll work a whole season alone rather than have a partner who doesn't have enough self-respect to show up in uniform. If that makes me an SOB, so be it. If you don't look like an umpire, nobody will think you are one.

Whatever.

Stuff happens. People forget uniforms. Life goes on. One day we'll stop acting like this is brain surgery.

And Steve is quite brave, but I don't exactly have the power to stop someone from working an assigned, contracted game. Physical restraint? This is THAT important to you? Geez.

They would remember me as the guy who had a uniform, too.