First Game Coming Up

[mississippiump]

It's May 4 and this is just now your first game?? I've worked 43 and HS is in state playoffs. Thank God I don't live in Canada!!!!

Jerry

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by mississippiump

Thank God I don't live in Canada!!!!

Jerry

I think that's the official motto of Blaine, Washington.

[mississippiump]

Garth,

I think that may be the motto for the entire USA!!!!!!

Congrats on your son by the way! I hope he's successful.

Jerry

[canadaump6]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll let you know how it goes. It is pretty frustrating that baseball season here only lasts 4 months. Still glad to see the season upon me though.

[mississippiump]

Canadaump,

In all seriousness, I was given some great advice by my assignor when we were talking about appearance. He said to make sure you look VERY sharp and professional when you umpire. If you do that, it'll be at least the 5th or
6th inning before they realize you're not any good!!!! And by that time, it's just about too late!!!

Jerry

[canadaump6]

I just did my first game. Things went okay, although one team ended up not happy with calls on the bases (this must be a very familiar situation to all umpires).

I let the pitcher go to his mouth with his hand, and decided not to say anything about it because he was on the edge of the dirt circle, basically almost off of it. This raises the question of a philosophy of umpiring; should you call things strictly by the book, or call things more in the spirit of the game? I am more in favour of going right by the rulebook, but I let it go today.

Also, how do you guys feel about only calling that if someone on the other team complains about it? I don't agree with this, as it results in the other team calling the game for you.

[Arnold A.]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

This raises the question of a philosophy of umpiring; should you call things strictly by the book, or call things more in the spirit of the game?

When this discussion was broached some months ago, the "strictly by-the-book" posters were the more prevelant and strident of the two sides from my own personal recollection.

I also believe that veracity and vitriol of their opinions fell under the categories of "thou doth protest too much" and "joining the popular crowd".

I may be mistaken, YMMV.

[celebur]

Originally Posted by mississippiump

Thank God I don't live in Canada!!!!

We do. Rest assured, we do.