I've lost the passion...

[Rcichon]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Hey ya'll. clipped..........................

Does anyone think this is normal, or have suggestions? Been through this before?

Thanks.

Tuss.

Absolutely normal. Been there recently. I don't know how this was but I was dreading a specific game I was scheduled to do. After seeking advice from a close friend, I called another Umpire for that game. Immediately I felt better. Then after the game was over, I get a call from the replacement Umpire. He had to toss a player for repeated F-bombs. That player left the field and after his father confronted him outside of the fence, belted him in the face. Backhand fist. The players sister jumped on her father and he grabbed her by the throat. A number of fans jumped on the father at this point to get him off the girl and he eventually was subdued. There were red finger imprints on her throat when the ambulance came for her. The father was arrested. Six cruisers came for him.

I said before that I do not know how or why I came to have that feeling of dread for this particular game however: I do not question my instincts or feelings. Trust yours. Something's telling you to take a break, so take a break. Maybe just a short one but take a break.

Best of Luck!

[3appleshigh]

If you have lost the passion go and read the thread about the Everyone one was excited. That should help you remember what the game is about

[aceholleran]

You are not alone, Tuss.

Sometimes games, even ones that pass quickly, have no rhythm to them--they are lifeless. This adds to an umpire's ennui.

What used to dishearten me was doing local games, with coaches whom I had known for years, who would periodically play the rat and just bust balls without any serious arguments or EJs.

Do whatever you feel you need to put things right. One thing I do is pretend that the game I am doing is being televised, and I make every effort to buff up minutiae about my work. Stuff like keeping my hat on when I remove my mask, not lifting an idicator up to eye level, etc.

This will be my last season, BTW. 30 is a nice round number.

You're a very good official, and there's no reason why you can't become a great one. It's a wonderful game, and I'm betting that the passion will come back.

ace

[canadaump6]

This is my sixth year as an umpire, and while I'm not as gung ho about doing games, I still really enjoy having the priviledge of umpiring. I never find myself getting bored doing plate games, as it is a position of responsibility and I am always in the action. It's those base games where they take forever between innings and the game moves really slowly that can get kind of boring.

I still don't think there's anything wrong with umpiring just for the money, and not for the sake of enjoyment, so long as you do your best anyways and remember you are still responsible for calling the best game possible. Maybe it would be good to try doing fewer games. I do about 4 a week right now, which is about the right number to keep me entertained.

[waltjp]

Tuss, maybe it's time to raise the bar a bit and find more competitive leagues.