Manager Acts Like a Dipstick, I'm Sorry to Say
 

Looking for a little help:

FED game, R1, 1 out bottom 1st.

LH R1, lifts non-pivot froot in set position, steps to home, throws to 1B.

Now, I know I'm not Carl Childress, Jim Evans, or anything, but I am 70-75% sure this is a balk. :eek:

After moving R1 to 2B, here comes the manager.

"What did he do wrong Blue?"
"He didn't step to 1B.
(Short aside to tell the asst. coach to get in the dugout and not put his .02 in.)
"Wait a minute, he lifted his foot straight in the air, put it down and threw to 1B. that's not a balk."
"Coach, he has to step at at least 45 deg. so he can show he's throwing to 1B.He stepped straight home."
"Well how can he throw to 2nd if he has to step like that."
"Coach, we are talking about 1B here, not 2B"
"Blue, that's terrible, and that's a terrible call."

Thank goodness he says that walking away, and back to his dugout.

Now he is heading to the 3B coaches box between innings.

"Blue, explain to me why he balked."
"Coach, he has to step towards 1B, which we define as at least inside a 45 deg. angle towards 1B."
"Blue, I looked in my rule book, and it says nothing about 45 deg, it says he has to step to the bag."
"Coach, that 45 deg angle has been used forever to decide if the pitcher steped to 1B, You can look it up, It is written somewhere in the Case Book or umpire manual. And in you kid's case, he put his foot in the air, then stepped right at home plate and threw to 1B."
"Okay Blue", and then we play.

Now I know this guy is going to give me a 1 on a scale of 5 on my evaluation, saying I don't know the rules. Shoot, his asst. coach yelled out that "It was the BU's call, you don't even know who is supposed to call the balk right." If I wasn't such a nice guy, that guy is walking to the parkling lot. How do you deal with such ignorance, when this guy has a part in deciding if I do tournament ball or not?

My questions:

1. Should I have not brought up the 45 deg bit in the first place, and just said, he has to step to 1B?

2. When he talked with me the second time between innings (which is okay by me, if he wants to waste my time during warm-ups to get educated, no problem if he is quiet about it), should I have just said, "Coach, I'm sorry, he was not close to stepping to 1B, and that's why he got it called on him."

3. Any other suggestions? I mean, the balk is so obvious a blind man could call it, and he has no clue. What do you do here?

Thanks for your thoughts.

My spin
 

On what others here have revealed.
Pitcher must demonstrate "distance and direction."
Step home is not a demonstration of either distance, nor direction.
In your case, F1 did neither correctly.

SA, I thought about it
 

That phrasing came to mind as I was talking to him, but I didn't think he could grasp that concept. He was saying the kid picked his foot up then threw, so gaining ground wouldn't matter to him anyway, and that isn't in the rule book either (:rolleyes:) .

Still, it is something to think about.

"Skip, he stepped more toward home than he did to first.....and tell your assistant to gather his $hit and go sit on the bus."

Ignore assistant.

Shorten your explanation, it's a simple call. "He didn't step to 1B."

Questions:

1. "He didn't step to 1B."
2. "He didn't step to 1B."
3. "He didn't step to 1B."

Don't worry about future assignments.

Balk: NF Rule 6-2-4b : failing to step with the non-pivot foot directly toward a base....when throwing or feinting there....

"Step directly toward" is defined in NF Case 6.2.4 Situation B: To comply with the requirement to step directly toward F1 must step to the first-base side of a 45-degree angle between center of pitcher's plate and between home and first base.

Coach, the pitcher is required to step directly toward 1st base to throw there. He failed to do that so it is a balk".

Answer to Q1: Just say he didn't step toward 1st. Make no mention of 45 degree stuff as it will take much too long to explain.

Answer to Q2: I have no problem talking to a coach between innings to answer a quick question. Since I am a strict adherant to only 1 minute between innings there is not a lot of time to fully explain the rule. Just say he didn't step toward 1st. Depending on coach I might politely tell him as umpires we are taught how to visually determine whether step was directly toward the base or not and we can discuss it after the game if he so wishes. In parting I would ask him to take care of his asst. coach so I don't have to next time. Let's play ball.

Answer to Q3: If balk was so blatant that a blind man could call it why did you say earlier in the post you were 70-75% sure it was a balk?

(JK: Isn't Ohio weather great. Glad you got your game in. Here in NW Ohio we started season with 78 degree days then last weekend...SNOW. I was at the Toledo Mud Hens game Saturday night which was suspended in the 4th inning due to snow.)

jkumpire,

I believe that DG has given you the best advice.

Keep it short & sweet.

I like to think I would have said,

(Q1) "No direct step, Coach."

(Q2) "That is a balk."

(Q3) Silence.

When you "overexplain", you just create the opportunity to get yourself in trouble.

One thing I have learned in my brief umpiring experience is that, on the rare occasion when you are not 100% certain of your call, if you make the call as if you are 110% certain, you tend not to get so much grief about it. If you externally exhibit any signs of doubt or uncertainty, you are almost sure to get some grief about it.

Also, as DG suggests, don't worry about the coach's evaluation; just focus on getting the calls right and properly managing the game. I'm sure this varies from one area to the next, but I have heard of cases where getting a bad evaluation from certain coaches can actually improve one's chances of getting post-season assignments.

JM

I got in a bit of trouble by saying too much this past weekend myself...short, few word answers are perfect. When you end up repeating yourself, the coach will get the message. Hang in there!

I'm sure you meant F1. R1 has nothing to throw. But I digress. Yep, it's a balk.

1. Don't be creative. The rule says he has to step toward the bag. Why invent new wording?

2. Don't be so talkative. Five words:

"What'd he do wrong blue?" Didn't step to the bag.

"Wait a minute, he lifted his foot straight in the air, put it down and threw to 1B. that's not a balk." Didn't step to the bag.

"Well how can he throw to 2nd if he has to step like that." That's not the issue.

3. What I do: (FED) "TIME! That's a balk...didn't step to the bag...You, second base."

BTW: Long time no see....how've you been?

21 innings today. 6.5 hours of fun in the sun.

I did call a balk, though. I've called my share this season, I gots to say.

LH pitcher. R1 takes off as soon as LHP lifts his leg. Magically, F1 put his foot right back in the same place that he lifted it from.

"He didn't gain distance."

The catcher asked me to check his footprints. That was funny, especially as F3 threw the (already dead once he caught it) ball into left field and R1 was now R2 regardless.

Umpire Schools teach umpires to keep it short and simple when explaining balks.

For example:

Umpire: "That's a balk! You second base (said to runner)."
Manager: "What did he do?"

Possible responses include:

Umpire: "No step."
Umpire: "He started and stopped."
Umpire: "No pause."
Umpire: "His leg crossed the rubber."

At higher levels (HS, NCAA, pro) this usually works. (Now they might come out and argue that your judgment was wrong (i.e. that he did pause) but at least they're not arguing the rule.)

If the coach/manager wants more of an explanation, listen to his question and answer only that.

For example, this following conversation (by coincidence) happened to me in my last high school game:

Head Coach (who has come out of the dugout): "What do you mean 'no step'?"
Umpire: "He didn't step toward first."
Head Coach: "He doesn't have to step toward first."
Umpire: "The rules require that he does, and he didn't."
Head Coach: "I've never heard that one before, huh."

The head coach left and we resumed the game. He came out between innings and I just said, "the rules require he step toward first, when throwing to first. You pitcher stepped toward home and threw across his body to first that's why it was a balk."

He said, "o.k., I got you." and left.

(edited for spelling error)

This year's attendees were taught to give the reason as part of the call instead of making the manager ask.

When I was in pro school in the stone age...
 

They taught us just to call the balk and move 'em along. But since I never got a pro job, esp. in HS Baseball I always tell kids what they did.

My call was last night: "THAT"S A BALK (Pointing at F1) TIME! (Hands UP) NO STEP TO 1B (pointing R1 to 2B)."

My partner did nothing, of course, but he is a 2nd year guy who mostly does SB. He did a decent job for a newbie.

Five words or less!!! They can't use what you DON'T SAY against you. And finally, "coach, that's enough"

Is FED different from OBR with regards to how to call a balk?

In Canada, we only use OBR so the proper procedure is not to call time when the balk takes place but wait for the play to end before calling time.

In FED the balk kills the play. "Time, that's a balk,"

In OBR the balk does not kill the play. "That's a balk...Time, that's a balk,"

I always say, "Thats a balk, TIME" in FED so that when I change gears to OBR in the summer, the call stays consistent (in my addled mind).

I had a very simular play last year in a Legion tourney. LH F1, called the balk, coach wanted to argue the call, it was simple. Coach, he didn't step toward the base. Coach what do you mean. ..It's easy coach he didn't have any distance or direction toward the base, that's a balk. After I repeated he had no distance or direction toward the base several times, the light went on. Coach commented, that must be important, you said that several times! I had a hard time putting my mask on with roar of laughter within my mind! Never had to use the field lights his light went on so brightly! :D

Seriously?

The assistant
 

Made it personal and injected himself into a discussion with the Manager why should he stay?

Perfect handling. Explain as you make the call and then nobody should question you.

Last night I had runners at 2nd & 3rd. Pitcher didn't stop. "Dead Ball! That's a balk! He never stopped! You score, you go to third!"

....one warning


....see ya!



Yes.

was there a funeral for the Dead Ball.

POOR BALL, I liked that ball and now He's DEAD!
OH the HUMANITY.

Call Time, don't call DEAD BALL. it just sounds bad.

"Blue, explain to me why he balked."

"I already did!"

If he continues dump him. Especially well after the play.

I expect my assignor knows which coaches are full of crap and who are legit. A fairly new coach who complains every 2 or 3 games is full of crap. A veteran coach who complains every 2 or 3 years probably has a legit complaint.

In our pre-season clinics there are always a half dozen coaches mentioned for the new umpires, to wit, they rarely complain and if they do they will do it calmly, and you probably blew it, so listen and learn.

Where in the OP does it say that the assistant got personal w/ the blue? Just says he wanted to put his 2 cents in...doesn't smell like an ejection to me....

According to the OP:

Shoot, his asst. coach yelled out that "It was the BU's call, you don't even know who is supposed to call the balk right."

Coming after the first warning....gone bozo.

Assistants are hired to say "hummm, baby" and "turn left." He can put his 2 cents in anytime, but that will likely yield him a comfy seat on the bus.

With the "blue?"

Look at what I started. My only point was I've never heard another umpire refer to umpires as "blue." It sounds goofy. I don't like it personally, but it doesn't make me lose sleep. I also feel the same way about people that say I am an "ump."

And I also find "blue" funny considering I haven't worn anything but black all season.

Must be a coach.

I haven't worn anything blue in high school ball for three years. I'm still waiting for someone to call me "black."

California is still behind the times, and requires Navy pullover shirts in all high school games.

But you're right, umpires rarely refer to themselves as "the blue." I don't like the term, myself. When addressed as "Hey, Blue," I normally don't answer until about the 3rd or 4th yell. Then I ask if they are talking to me. Most get the hint, but some don't.

I think you're wrong about that - many of the posters here and elsewhere have "blue" in their names. As an umpire, I consider it a sign of respect. They don't know my name and they certainly don't call me "Mr. Umpire". If you want people to call you something in particular, it's YOUR job to tell THEM and not be some smarta$$ asking if they're talking to you. You're an umpire, not a person on a pedestal, so don't act like it. Just remember one thing - THEY ARE YOUR CUSTOMER - not the other way around.

In Orange County California we can wear any color as long as we match. The only umpires that wear navy blue are the newbies.

Hawaiian shirts OK, if its the same pattern?

Wow.

If you think "Blue" is a term of respect or endearmenet you haven't been around long.

At the plate conference I exchange names along with the line-ups. I am not a color. I'm Garth, or ump, or Mr. Umpire.

I am an independent contractor providing a service for a league, not for a player or a coach. I do my job professionally and exect to be treated professionally. Calling me a color is not professional.

I can call myself Blue if I so choose (I don't), but a coach can't. They do, and I mostly ignore it, especially if it is conversational. But hollering, "hey, Blue," is a rude, ignorant thing to do. Those that use that term usually do not even realize that it is a slur derived from, "hey, you blew the call." You blew, you blew, hey Blue. That is the origin of calling the umpire blue. When umpires wore black suits and bow ties, I don't believe they addressed umpires as, "Hey, Black."

Coaches and players are certainly not my "customers." That's a pretty weird way of looking at them. When I work a game, I'm in charge. It's more like being a prison guard than it is being a retail clerk. I want to be addressed with a modicum of respect, and "Blue" is not respectful.

I try to educate coaches by telling them privately that umpires don't really like being called "Blue." They usually are surprised to hear this, and say that they call umpires Blue because that's what they heard other people doing. I tell them that "Ump" or "Mr. Umpire" or my first name are preferable to "Blue," and I tell them why many umpires don't like being called Blue.

I've been around long enough to know that umpires were referred to as "blue" over 40 years ago. Until they know your name they will refer to you as "blue". And as I said, if you don't want to be called that, it is UP TO YOU AND YOU ALONE to tell them. You might be an independent contractor providing a service to a league but everybody in that league is still your customer whether you want to believe it or not.

The company you work for has customers - each and every one of their employees is also your customer as well, so if you treat one of them badly, that will reflect badly for your entire company.

In all my years I have never once heard an umpire complain about being called "blue". But if you don't like it, that's certainly within your rights.

Well, if you were in my association, you would know that the majority of the seasoned umpires there absolutely hate being referred to as Blue, and find it demeaning and derogatory. Call any of these umpires Blue, and you will be ignored.

I really don't see how "hey, ump" is perceived as superior to "hey, blue."

I think it's pretty disrespectful to start any sentence with "Hey," no matter what follows.

Times change - the meaning of "blue" now is not what it was then. If you take offense to it it's because YOU CHOOSE TO DO SO and not because of the way it was intended in today's culture. I would venture to say there isn't a more than one coach in a thousand and even less players who would even know that, so unless you educate them, it will continue.

Makes no sense at all to me - you go to MLB and what do fans holler - come on Blue etc.,

If an umpire don't want to be called blue then he's simply being a jerk IMO.

I simply call it tradition ... and I like tradition.

thanks
David

Hey, You just won the lottery!

I don't think that is disrespectful. LOL

I'll make an exception in that case!:D

"hey blue" doesn't bother me...

Well, I must know a sh!tload of jerks, because that is the concensus of the umpires that I know.

What does what ignorant baseball fans holler at the umpire have to do with the proper way to address the umpire while a game participant? Like Tony Gwynn once said, "F*** the fans, they don't know anything." I never said I cared what the fans called me. Of course those idiots are going to call the umpire "Blue," because they don't know better.

It is not tradition to call the umpire "Blue," any more than it is tradition to refer to African-Americans with the "N" word. They are both words used by ignorant people. Calling an umpire Blue is derived from the umpire "blew the call." That is where it came from, not the color of the umpire's shirt.

So fans are the arbiters of what umpires are called? Okay, in that case, how do you feel about a$$hole? It's just as popular with them as "blue."

I haven't met a MiLB or MLB umpire yet who liked being called blue.

Tradition? It goes back further than "blue."

It doesn't bother me either, I just don't respond well to it. I don't let stuff like that bother me. I'm very professional when I'm on the field, and would never outwardly display any frustration over something so trivial. I just simply do not like being addressed as "Blue," and that is my prerogative.

Oh, bull****. What a stupid thing to say, as if I should bow down to the wonderful coaches in the world that ALLOW me to umpire.

Nobody said anything about bowing down. If they weren't playing you wouldn't be out there, and whether you believe it or not those schools and organizations fork out the money for you to be there, so they are your customer.

I didn't insinuate they are above you. Just make sure you don't give them the opinion that you are above them. That was my point. You are there to officiate a game within the rules prescribed. That doesn't mean you have to go in with your nose in the air and a smarta$$ attitude.

I don't have my nose in the air, nor do I have a smarta$$ attitude. I just don't answer to "Blue." That does not make me a smarta$$.

I go in and work professionally. I'm courteous when that's called for and I'm obnoxious when that's (much more rare, BTW) necessary.

I know the rules, hustle, and work hard.

My goal is to be true to myself and my partners and hopefully that will be enough to be rehired. If not, well, life goes on. So far it's worked out OK.

Had someone call me "Ref" the other day. I think I like "Blue" better. :)

I'm with Steve on this one. I don't consider it a sign of respect. Mr. Umpire would be a sign of respect. Sir would be a sign of respect. When was the last time you wanted the attention of someone who's name you did not know and said "Hey Red Shirt or Black Shoes" I'll bet the last time you wanted the attention of someone who's name you did not no, you said "Excuse me, sir."


What if you have told him your name and he still calls you blue? Since when does someone's position as a customer allow him to show you disrespect?

WOW! I don't like to be called blue, so I'm being a jerk. This seems over the top.

So what you are saying is "I have an opinion, if your's is different you are being a jerk." Wow...

Do you like all traditions? I hope not because I'm sure we could find some pretty offensive traditions.

You hit the nail on the head in your previous post.

I worked a college DH (D3) yesterday and both head coaches and all the assistants knew my name and used it all day. I make sure I know the head coach's name (at least) and use it when speaking to him. Normally, I check on the Internet if it's a new school and I may even take the time to read the coach's bio, if he has one.

For a head coach to refer to me as "Blue" means he couldn't take the time to remember my first name. Sad, if you ask me.

To me, Blue is not offensive. Certainly can not be compared with the N-word. But I feel that refering to a coach as coach shows much more respect towards him than using his first name. Even when I do know it.

You can call me Darlin, Darling
 

Just don't blow it into my ear in public.
When I am far away (> 60 ft), call me blue and I will ignore what you say.
When I am closer within earshot (< 60 feet), call me ump and I will listen to what you say.
When I am in front of you, call me Sir because I prefer it.
You can get away without saying Sir as long as I understand that you do it with tact.
(Cue country music) But you can never, never call me by my name. (Cue end of country music)

Blue doesn't ring my bell like the sweet sound of "Mr. Umpire".
I usually respond with a "Yes, Sir" while my subconscious may have thought,
{Yes dear, what is it that you wanted to tell me? I'm all ears.}
Then I try to respond with, "Well, let me see what I can do to correct that for you."
A seasoned lass should already be prepared to hear my next response.
Generosity often pulls the sheets out from over them.

I answer to nothing but "Mr. Umpire Dude."

Mr. Umpire Dude, sir....your highness!!!!

Nincapoop?

That's Mr. Nincapoop to you!

I prefer "Your Lordship."

Maybe I should come up with a stage name. I performed my favorite magic trick last night. I made an assistant coach disappear.

I see your point!
 

Oh that's funny! You knew exactly what I was talking about! (I've read your writings for too long :)

Maybe a regional thing because its still the norm in my area of the country for players to routinely refer to the umpire with "blue". (This is more in HS ball than with the college players)

Of course, we still teach our umpires to address the coach as "coach XXXX" and try to not address them with first names also.

One thing I always note is that college coaches like to refer to you by name ... HS coaches generally do not (again that might be a regional thing)

But bottom line is for an umpire to think that the way a player addresses the umpire (in a general way) is disrespectful IMO is simply ludicrous. Maybe I've been doing this long enough to just know when a player/coach is being disrespectful and when he's not!

Thanks
David

"Blue" is considered a term of disrespect on the professional level. I've never met a pro umpire (including myself) who liked (likes) being called "Blue". The coaches and the managers on the pro level know the umpires hate that term.

This is a true story:

Early in my first pro season I screwed up: I called a manager "coach". Which itself is considered an insult. If you call a manager "coach" you will piss them off!.

Specifically here's how it went: (I was standing on the foul line as it was between innings).

Manager (from the dugout): "Those were good pitches. Let's go!"
Me: "That's enough, coach!"
Manager: "Get a clue, BLUE!" (His emphasis on "Blue": He said it loudly with exageration.)

In this case, the Manager called me "blue" because he was p.o.'d that I called him "coach". He used "blue" because he knew it was considered an insult by pro umpires, and he wanted to insult me after he felt I had insulted him.

Just an example to show that "Blue" is a term with negative connotations (which are known by manager and umpire alike) on the pro level.

Do you call them "manager?"

Call them their name or "skip". I'm terrible at remembering names, so I called them "skip". (As in, they're the "skipper" of their team.)

I agree. And, as you said, it's a "level" thing. And, it's an individual thing. HS and college coaches almost always use my name. Players rarely do.

It matters far more to me the way it's used (or, as I told F2 last night, "it depends on what adjective you put in front of it") than whether it's used.

Wow...

First, I missed the personal part of the OP..my apologies.

Second, Didn't know I would piss that many people off by saying "blue."

My apologies to all....Yeesh

And no..I'm not a coach/manager/rat, etc....

So to summarize all of the varying opinions -

Some think it's ok to be called "blue".
Some don't like it but tolerate it.
Some say it's a sign of disrespect, others say not.
It appears to be more disrespectful at higher levels than lower levels.
In at least one California association, it's an absolute no-no.

Same applies to the word coach, especially when the "head" coach is actually the Manager.

If I offended anyone, that was not my intent so I extend my apologies.

To everybody - go out and have good games wherever they are and whatever the level.

WOW, thanks for your thoughts:
 

Let me go down the list:

Preacher: Is that just a nickname, or a professional position? I am one too, that's why I asked. Yes, Ohio weather is great, our HS teams will be playing until mid-July.

I assumed that a real baseball person, even if they don't know the rules would understand the concept of the 45 deg angle on the balk cal. My biggest mistake was assumign the guy had a clue about the rules or baseball. Chalk it up to my idealism, I should know better by now.

MRM, I have been doing basebll for so long most kids parents weren't married and I was doing games. I just keep trying to get better.

Garth, good to hear from you again! I am doing well these days. IMO, even though FED describes how they want this called, doing it the other way is more natural, and if you do multiple rules codes as mos of us do, it only makes sense to call it this way. If you kill the ball, who cares what is first?

Lawump, I also went to pro school many years ago, and in the pro game, or even the college game, short answers are always better. IN FED, you should use a few more words, if you let people know what they did, ususally they move on. This guy didn't, maybe because he didn't know the rules well enough to accept you could have a balk here.

Tex, and others: The ***'t di dnot get the gate because he yelled from the dugout after I put him back in it, and frankly, if he wants to show himself to be an idiot, just get out of his way. This is HS baseball, and these teams are not state caliber teams. He did not do enough to get ejected, and if I have to watch his underperforming team play, he should have to too.

3 apples, I have done many funerals, so I am professionally qualified to perform a funeral for a ball. And I think usually can do a good service for one that brings comfort to those who are suffering loss :)

To many, I passionately hate "Blue", and I make it a point to write first names of managers on the lineup card before each game, so I can converse with them in a civilized manner. . But I am one of the few who always checks equipment before games, gets in trouble for not letting team line up on the fould line whille the other teams warm up, remind people to cover their pitchers in the bullpen, and a whole host of other things people in my area don't do. Until I find bunch of people in my area who will not tolerate being called blee, I'm going to have to live with it. As we all do. Thank goodness when we do serious games, people understand the traditions.

What's the deal?
 

In the post above this I used the word I-D-I-O-T, and it got replaced with ****'t.

What's the deal here? It's not cussing, and has this board gone PC now too? I register my complaint with the proper authorities.

Didn't you get the memo? This board complies fully with FED 3-1-g(3,4) ;)

My experience:

"That's enough, coach!"

"COACH??? COACH??? I ain't no f@#$ing COACH! I got all kinds of f@#$ing coaches. There's one, there's one, there's another one. You talkin' to them or you talkin' to me, BLUE?

Steve,

I guess I better not let them see me in Black.

I hope you're like me and only made that mistake, once. :D I mean, when my manager said it, it really took the wind out of my sails. I couldn't eject him...he was right I had insulted him and broken an unwritten rule. (I mean I guess I could have ejected him...but it just wouldn't have been right).

You can see a picture of the manager at: http://crosscutters.com/pressroom/07staff_120106.htm

If a coach comes to the conference and says "hi blue!", I simply respond, "No, I'm wearing cream/black (whatever) today, so you can call me (my name)."

If that doesn't get the message across in a nice way, well then we are dealing with an a-hole coach that would have gotten on my bad side anyway.

I don't mind so much if a coach is just greeting me with something like "hi Blue." I just consider the source, and if I feel like it, I will tell him that many umpires don't like being called Blue.

Where I have a problem is when they draw the word out when getting on you, as in "come on, Bluuuuuuuuuuue. Call it both ways, Bluuuuuuuuue. What the hell kind of call was that, Bluuuuuuuuuuuuue." Or when they yell "Hey, Blue!" like I'm a Golden Retriever or something.

I find it funny that there are some that actually see using a first name as a sign of DISrespect. Those people need to get out more.

Most managers will learn your name at the plate meeting (if they don't already know) and use it when needed. I probably should try to remember their names also and use when needed, but I generally call them "coach" unless I know them and then I call them by name as they would me.

Players and fans don't know so "blue" is fairly commonly used. I have never been offended by being called "blue".

If I had a manager that said that, I'd also have a problem. I'd have an equal problem if they replaced "Bluuuuuuuuuuue" with "Boooooooobbbbbb". It's not the specific word that matters, it's the manner in which it's used.

Now that's funny! And true!!

Thanks
David

Home team umpires!
 

I guess I notice it a lot more in basketball since you confer with the coaches much much more frequently than you do in baseball, but the good coaches always will know your first name - and they like to use it in a way that benefits THEM!

I always hate it when at the administrative meeting you have one coach that knows you and calls you by first name and the other coach that will address you as "mr. XXXXXX".

But I surmise that is part of the home field advantage right?

Thanks
David

But the thing is, they don't replace the word Blue, it is the word they use, so that is the objectionable word in question.

Of course, there are associations with Blue in the title, like your group, the Fox Valley Blues, and the group I was with last year, the San Diego Blues. I don't have any answer for this dilemma.

I don't think it's a dilemma for most.
I'd say almost every game as I approach the field a parent or spectator says "hey blue" Hi blue" How's it goin blue" and mean nothing by it except being polite. After most games as I leave via the winners side of the field the spectators I pass acknowledge my partner and I with such nicities as "good game blue" or "good job blue" and I take it as a compliment.
If they say "Keep your day job blue" or "you suck blue" I take it they didn't like my calls, but it has nothing to do with "blue", that's simply a traditional way to address an umpire.

And a bad tradition it is, for the reasons myself and others have posted ad nauseum.

*faints dead away at his keyboard*



;)

Pithy. . .very pithy.:)

Here is a comprehensive list of heckles. See if you can detect a repetitive theme:

You couldn't call a cab! The circus is in town and the clowns are wearin blue!

There's a town in Massachusetts named after you.(slight pause), it's called MARBLEHEAD! I forgot more baseball than you know! Its a strike zone, not an end zone! You really shouldn't be in the game until you get warmed up! Blue's goin' home in the back of the ambulance (after a bad call)

Come on blue, turn that mask around and get a GOOD look!! You can go home, blue. We'll take it from here. How'd you become an umpire? Flunk out of toll-booth school? How about asking the audience? Do you want to use another lifeline?

What were you, a lookout a Pearl Harbor! Hey Mr.Magoo, nice call. I forgot the Milk-Bone for your seeing-eye dog! If it was a donut you would have gotten there! (Umps out of position) How many fingers am I holding up?

(For an umpire is slow getting in position) C'mon blue, put the Snicker Bar down. Sweep the plate! It's the least you can do. Go get 'em, Blue! Arf! Arf! Arf! (When the coach's mound visit has been going on too long) Move around, you're tiltin' the infield. Do you take Visa or American Express?

You're killing me blue Can I pet your seeing eye dog after the game? It sure sounded like a strike! How'd you get a square head in that round mask? Have they stopped printing the rulebooks in Braille?

Don't donate your eyes to science, they don't want em'. Does your wife let you make decisions at home? Pull the good eye out of your pocket I thought only horses slept standing up! Flip over the plate and read the directions.

Wipe the dirt off that called strike. Sure you don't want to phone a friend? You can open your eyes now! Sit down, bus driver! If you need the money this badly, get a paper route!

That was a strike in any bowling alley You flipping coins? Is that your final answer? Take off that welding mask What's your magic word?

What's the count Blue? Dog Robber! (classic) Lenscrafter called...they'll be ready in 30 min. Open your good eye When your dog barks twice, its a strike!

Next time buy a ticket if you're going to watch! Can I buy you another beer. Eat a salad. Kick your dog, he's lying to you! I bet if you had a biscuit that plate would be clean!

Do you get any better or is this it? You're blinking too long! Do you travel with this team? Come on, MCI doesn't make that many bad calls! Munch! Munch! Munch! The Ump is out to lunch!

I'm gonna break your cane and shoot your dog. You couldn't make the right call if you had a phone book. You couldn't make a call in a phone booth. Juuuuuust a bit outside. Move around Ump, you're killin' the grass!

Leave the gift giving to Santa! Take out your glass eye and wash it OK....the next call should be ours Guess again, the last call was wrong. Who signs your game checks?

Hey Blue, do you feel guilty? Be careful when you back up, so you don't fall over your dog. If the pitcher is throwing too fast for you, we can ask him to slow it down. The manager called, your uniform is ready. Your strike zone is a moving target!

You're getting better, you almost made the right call that time. Punch a hole in that mask, you're missing a good game Hey Ump, how can you sleep with all these lights on. If you're just gonna watch the game, buy a ticket Stevie Wonder could see that one!

I've seen potatoes with better eyes! Looked pretty good from up here ump! I wish you'd have resigned! Do your sleeping at home ump! Lets go to Video Replay!

Is that guy your nephew Ump? Why don't you get your seeing eye dog to call it for you? Hey Mr.Guess! Nice call! Ump, you're calling a worse game than a NFL ref! Nice umpiring, Mr. Quayle!

Little Boy Blue! Your Honor! I'd like to appeal that call! 3 Blind Mice, 3 Blind Mice For a guy that only works 2 hours a day, you're doing a pretty bad job! Hey blue, if you had one more eye you'd be a Cyclops!

If you knew one thing about Newton's law of Gravity, that would have been called a strike Hey Blue, try looking BETWEEN the bars on your mask! RING..RING....Wake up call ump! You couldn't see the plate if your dinner was on it! Wake up Ump, You're missing a great game!

Where can I get an application? Shake your head ump, your eyes are stuck! Sure is nice calling 'm safe ain't it? Everyone cheers. Ya done good This guy busted his behind running 90 ft, the least you could do is move 10 ft to make a call If that pitch were any more inside it would've ...(if near his gut) taken out his appendix!(if near his knee) been arthroscopic surgery!

(New York specific)If that pitch were any further outside it would be in Connecticut! (Subway-city specific: New York, Boston, Philly, etc.)Come on, ump! If that pitch were any lower it would be in the subway! Just 'cause it's a night game, doesn't mean you should be asleep! If stupidity were bricks, you'd be Fenway Park! Those are radio balls he's throwing--you can hear 'em but you can't see 'em.

Who taught you how to ump? Helen Keller? Ump, your arse called, it wants your head out by tomorrow! Somebody call the law, this guy is impersonating an umpire! Hey Blue, if you had another eye it would be lonely! I can see up and down from over here.

I can understand those who think it offensive given the origin from 50 or 60years ago. However, meanings of words and phrases change over time as the origins are not passed down through the generations. Political parties are now the opposites of what they were at the time of the civil war. For those who don't want to let go, fine. The rest of us have graduated to the 21st century.

I worked two games last night for a house league. I had people from grade school to the 60s say "hey blue, how's it goin?" or "nice game blue". At that level, it's more informal. Every once in a while you get a question in between innings like 'isn't it an infield fly all the time', or "I thought two conferences in an inning and you have to pull the pitcher". I could ignore them and not say anything or I could answer their question. If I have a few seconds, I will. It makes them feel better and more relaxed because they now know I'm not an unmitigated SOB bad guy. They appreciate it and say "thanks, blue". Would I do it for a HS game - absolutely not. It's not appropriate - after the game maybe - not during. So for me to take offense for them calling me "blue" just wouldn't cut it. If they're going to be polite, I will, too.

My favorite of the modern era:

Hey, blue, I found your cell phone. It says you've missed six calls!

The repetitive thing I see is that the umpire made a bad call!
:D

Or should I say, not a call in their favor ...:rolleyes:

thanks
David

Replace every "blue" or "ump" with "Steve" or "Don" and it doesn't make any of the comments any more funny, disrespectful, mean or obnoxious.

I suppose if you post ad nauseum it must be right.

In the same era that "blue" was evolving from "blew the call" if an umpire was considered "gay" it just meant he was happy and I doubt if a coach accused said umpire of being gay that said umpire would do anything but smile and agree.
Today "blue" is an accepted way to address an umpire and if a coach calls you "gay" he'll almost always be asked to find the parking lot.
Things change. Hey did you hear about DH rule?

Not buying it, and I'm not alone. Just because coaches, players, and fans do not know better, doesn't make it a tradition.

You have the right to think differently. One size does not fit all.

BTW, the DH is a rule, and not analogous to the subject. I am well aware of rule changes. Plus, I am a Senior Circuit fan.

Many words in language become a social norm where they are in general usage though offensive and meant to be derogatory. For years you could hear wop, spic, mick, ni**er does their common usage make them right? They are words use to offend and draw a response or degrade. It is difficult to change the fans and casual observers of the game. However the Manager or Coach I am working with have established a professional relationship. I do not say Hey Accountant what the bottom line or Yo Engineer where the design.

Even if your have never work a "pro" game if you accept a check for the games you call you are a professional.

The name of the association Steve belongs to is SDCBUA. San Diego County Baseball Umpires Association.


Tim.

SDS posted: "Of course, there are associations with Blue in the title, like your group, the Fox Valley Blues, and the group I was with last year, the San Diego Blues." (post 86)

PWL got the name right, the tense wrong.