I wanted to kick my assignor this weekend

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Don Mueller

Did he actually refuse to wear a hat after you or the assignor asked him to, or did he just not wear one?
Did you just ask him where his hat was or did you try to impart a little wisdom and knowledge of proper dress code for umps?

When you were first learning your skills as an umpire did the other umps help you out, give constructive criticism, have patience with you during your learning curve or did they talk about you behind your back, make fun of you, report all your bad mechanics or bad rule interps to the assignor and refuse to work with you in the future?

He said he asked him about the hat, and the guy said he didn't like to wear a hat because of his short hair. He does not sound like a newbie, he sounds like a Smitty.

People like these have an aversion to learning anything about the proper way of doing things. I'm sure this guy has been told time and time again about his mechanics and appearance. The assignor even said that he doesn't use the guy because he sucks so badly. This indicates that the guy has been around long enough to know mechanics, rules, and above all. . .wear a damn hat when umpiring the bases.

There is certainly nothing wrong with not wanting to work again with someone who is totally incompetent, as this guy appears to be.

My instructors had patience with me when I started, but then again, I always wore my hat.