Smittyisms
 

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.

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

I wonder about guys that scream "Foul Ball" at any time. "FOUL" is generally sufficient.

announcing the outs to everyone, including fans when they ask.

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! :rolleyes:

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

What is the etymology of Smitty?

I bet money you will not find a single reference.
 

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

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

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.......:eek:

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

I find the word "Smitty" like any perjorative term. It's an attempt to lower another person's public image in order to raise your own. Worse than "rat", these are our brothers in Blue you try to demean.

Like digging a hole then shoving a person into it, then proclaiming how "tall" you are. It's total BS.

As I have said before, using terms which degrade others only, in the end, degrades the user. :mad:

I totally agree with this. I detest seeing the term "smitty".

I prefer "weaker umpire". :)

This is directed more to ****ump56, who is on my ignore list, but shows up when someone quotes him:

Any "brother in blue" who has one year of experience 15 times, who hasn't bought a uniform since buying his first non-Elbeco, who has never attended a clinic, who believes all the rule myths -- why does THIS PERSON deserve any of my respect? I consider Smitty a well-placed pejorative.

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