Invisibility

TussAgee11 · #1 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 03, 2007, 12:11pm

good post Lawrence.

I get from it this: in a game management sense, its best to be invisible as much as possible, until it seems something may happen. Then interject and do your buisness in a proactive way. That way you don't have to react to something, which makes you totally noticable. Of course, the best umpire in the world will still have a $hit house on occasion. Sometimes its just totally unavoidable and out of nowhere.

Now for the obvious (and clarification). As for being invisible while actually calling the game, I don't buy that one bit. Do the job the rulebook says. There will be things that happen that you have to rule on one way or another (anywhere from safe/out to some of the 3rd world stuff we read about on this form). Do your job, which requires you to definatly not be invisible. You are a part of the game just like the players. We all are invisible at some point during the year (no close calls on the bases, easy game with good coaches, etc.). But don't confuse invisibility with a good job, or a totally noticable umpire with a bad job. The two are independent from each other. Any combination of these things could happen at any game.

JRutledge · #2 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 03, 2007, 12:44pm

Let me put it this way. If you call a 3rd strike on 10 batters on the same spot, you will not be invisible. Do you have really anything to do with that as an umpire? You sure as hell do not have anything to do with batters not swinging at close pitches. But to some people you will have done a bad job if you call a pitch someone does not like. And you might be right on all 10 pitches and you will be made the scape-goat for what took place.

Peace

ozzy6900 · #3 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 03, 2007, 07:53pm

Funny, I have heard that statement (good blue is an invisible blue) for years. It was taught by my instructors many eons ago! But in 20 plus years, I'll be damned if I can figure out how to be invisible on the field!

canadaump6 · #4 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 03, 2007, 08:50pm

"We are taught that a good blue is an invisible blue,".

I believe this statement is true to a point. When we walk onto the field, it is best to do so as quickly as possible, and to not do anything that will attract peoples' attention. When calling the game we should try to be unnoticed, but this cannot always happen. Now and then there will be a tough rule to apply, or one that the people involved are not familiar with. In this case we have to sacrifice invisibility for getting the call right.

GarthB · #5 (**permalink**) Wed Jul 04, 2007, 02:19am

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadaump6

When calling the game we should try to be unnoticed.

Should we whisper? Should stay in foul territory and peek at the plays?

Freaking ridiculous.

When a banger happens at first, where do people turn their attention? To the umpire.

When a batter with an 0-2 count stands and watches a cockshot go by, where do people turn their attention? To the umpire.

When a runner attempts to steal second and the throw from the catcher gets there just in time for the glove to go down as the runner is sliding to the bag, where do people turn their attention? To the umpire.

If you want to hide, stay home.

Arnold A. · #6 (**permalink**) Wed Jul 04, 2007, 10:01am

In an earlier thread this year, I had a game in which I ejected six participants.

Does that make me a poor umpire due to the fact I wasn't "invisible"?

According to the league's BOD, UIC, my fellow umpires, and a few of the people I ejected, I did all the proper things in handling this situation. But, I certainly wasn't invisible.

A good umpire is one who DOES the job properly. One who is prepared, focused, and determined to do their best. One who does not look for attention, but is not afraid of it.