Smittyisms

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Okay, so what are they and why are they so hard for some umpires to let go of.


Tim.

I'll start with these two.

Screaming "Foul Ball!!!" on every foul, regardless of location.

Telling a new pitcher the number of outs and the location of the runners.

[JRutledge]

I have another one for you.

Telling the pitcher the situation is something I see often ("1 ball and 2 strikes with a runner on 1st and 3rd").

I think when guys are never taught about what to do, guys get attached to things they find a purpose for. There are guys that are convinced if they do not brush off the pitcher's plate or bases, they just cannot see the play.

Peace

[ChucktownBlue]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I have another one for you.

I think when guys are never taught about what to do, guys get attached to things they find a purpose for. There are guys that are convinced if they do not brush off the pitcher's plate or bases, they just cannot see the play.

Peace

I had a 1B coach get upset because he claimed his runner couldn't tell if the pitcher was on the rubber or not because it was dirty. Validation for all those who insist on sweeping it off!

[greymule]

I need to ask what I fear many will consider a stupid question:

What is the etymology of Smitty?

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by greymule

I need to ask what I fear many will consider a stupid question:

What is the etymology of Smitty?

It's a degrading term used by those umpires who wish to make fun of brother sports officials, and by doing so believe it elevates themselves, a shallow word aimed at umpires who do not meet some moving target of "professionalism".

One thing is for certain. It labels the user of the term, usually an experienced umpire who ought to know better than to treat another Blue in such a despicable way, as a full time hypocrite.

[Mr Ray]

Originally Posted by fitump56

It's a degrading term used by those who wish to make fun of, and by doing so think they believe elevates themselves, umpires who do not meet some moving target of "professionalism". In short, it's one thing for sure.

It labels the user of the term, usually an experienced umpire who ought to know better than to treat another Blue such a despicable way, as a full time hypocrite.

Thanks for putting this so succinctly. this should be a sticky.............

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Mr Ray

Thanks for putting this so succinctly. this should be a sticky.............

Just cause it made you sticky doesn't mean it should be made a sticky.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by fitump56
It's a degrading term used by those who wish to make fun of other sports officials, and by doing so believe it elevates themselves, umpires who do not meet some moving target of "professionalism". In short, it's one thing for certain.

It labels the user of the term, usually an experienced umpire who ought to know better than to treat another Blue in such a despicable way, as a full time hypocrite.

Originally Posted by Mr Ray

Thanks for putting this so succinctly. this should be a sticky.............

Small bow back to you, Ray.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ChucktownBlue

I had a 1B coach get upset because he claimed his runner couldn't tell if the pitcher was on the rubber or not because it was dirty. Validation for all those who insist on sweeping it off!

I have had coaches insist the same thing. If they want it swept off, then they need to do it themselves. That is not our job.

I have a challenge for you. Just show one reference (just one) where it says our job is to use a "plate brush" for sweeping off the plate? Just show one reference in any book that involves umpires on any level. I do not care which book, the NF, CCA, PBUC or any other book I cannot think of. When you find that reference, come back here and give the page and context of those statements.

Peace

[UmpLarryJohnson]

the day a RUNNER cant figure out when Pitch gets on the RUBBER is the day he needs to QUIT! any RUNNER over 6 years OLD can tell that

[Rcichon]

Worked with a guy yesterday that started the backstop meeting with, "ok guys, this is your first and only warning: "No Arguing Judgement Calls......".

No lie.......

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by Rcichon

Worked with a guy yesterday that started the backstop meeting with, "ok guys, this is your first and only warning: "No Arguing Judgement Calls......".

No lie.......

Or how about the guy that calls it the backstop meeting instead of plate conference.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by Rcichon

Worked with a guy yesterday that started the backstop meeting with, "ok guys, this is your first and only warning: "No Arguing Judgement Calls......".

No lie.......

Let me guess, it was the first inning and......

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

the day a RUNNER cant figure out when Pitch gets on the RUBBER is the day he needs to QUIT! any RUNNER over 6 years OLD can tell that

Not if he can't see the rubber.

[Jerry]

"I have a challenge for you. Just show one reference (just one) where it says our job is to use a "plate brush" for sweeping off the plate?"
Peace

For #666:

The Boston Globe had a September 28, 2005 interview with MLB umpire crew of Joe West, Brian Gorman, Mike DiMuro and and Mark Carlson. One of the questions asked was "What's the correct position for brushing dirt off home plate?" (Page 1 of the article).

On Page 6 of that same article, Joe replies, "The correct position for brushing the dirt off home plate is facing the catcher, bending your back side to the pitcher, as a matter of courtesy to the fans."

By inference, we should be able to reason that MLB umpires receive those instructions somewhere in their training. Yes?

There are also many amateur umpire associations that have those same instructions actually written into their training manuals and guidelines for their umpires.

Jerry