Not sure how reliable this is, but it's something...

http://www.mlb4u.com/leagueinfo.php

The old system did as you suggested. The new system has a strong component of merit. You have them switched.

Thanks for the update. I'm glad they're moving in the right direction.

Next step: after every season, take the worst 3 MLB umps and demote them to AAA (or retire them), and take the best 3 AAA umps and promote them to MLB.

Ergo all MLB umps have perfect mechanics, perfect judgement, perfect discernment and are therefore worthy of emulation in everything they do.


If it's the right thing to do then no confession is needed.
You are implying it's the right way to manage the game and your paperwork aren't you?
The next time an evaluator asks you why you're doing paperwork during live ball action, I'm sure he'll give you bonus points once you tell him Angel does it too.

Wait a minute. You are the same person that claimed there was nothing wrong with brushing off a bag with a plate brush. Now this is a problem? The very same reason looking at your paperwork during live ball play is the same reason you do not brush the base off with a plate brush. Now the reason we see a lot of things at the ML level that a good umpire at the amateur level would never do is because no one is going to fire them for something like this. For all you know he might have been talked to about this. But the Major League Umpire Union is one of the strongest in pro sports and this is why they keep guys around that have clearly lost their fast ball or do not keep up with standards that got them there. But if a D1 umpire was doing this on TV, it is very possible that he might not only get talked to, he might be downgraded which could lead to less assignments and ultimately being fired.

Peace

thank you mr Rutlege for pointing this out :)

As distasteful as brushing a bag between innings may be to you, it does not equate to the possible problems created by doing paperwork during live ball action.
I agree that both violate the unwritten umpire code of behavior, but one has possible on field consequences while the other does not.

So we're in agreement

I think both look stupid. I did not see what was described, but your same justification for what you feel looks dumb is the very same reason I think brushing a base off (which you can easily see with dirt on it BTW) and using a object that is designed only for the plate (hence the name "plate brush").

Actually I do not think we are at all. Keep thinking we agree if it makes you happy.

Peace

I don't remember saying it looks dumb, in fact looks has nothing to do with it. Doing paperwork during live ball action can only lead to problems. It's a practical issue. Much like brushing the base the one and only time in my life I did it was a practical issue.

I didn't ask you to jump in on this you did it on your own accord. Now that you have, despite how it's going to taint your rep by agreeing with me the facts are the facts jack.

If you think doing paperwork during live ball action is wrong then we agree. You made your opinion on that clear in a previous post.
And yes I'm ecstatic!!

Don, do you actually read what people say? I did not comment about what you said. I am saying it looks stupid for both actions. If you want to write down something you hold up the game and get your information together. I think brushing off a base looks stupid because it is not practical. The bases are surrounded by dirt. You are not going to be able to dust off every piece of dirt surrounding the base. And if you dust off the dirt one time, you will be doing it constantly. It is not necessary to dust off a base (with a plate brush) as it is not necessary to look at a lineup card while the game is going on. They both look stupid and both are not practical. And I am the one saying this, not you. ;)


I just wanted to point out a complete contradiction on your part. At least I am consistent. I think both look stupid and both can affect how you are evaluated. You cannot understand why someone might feel both look dumb and you do not understand in at least one of the cases why brushing off the base might have similar consequences.

Good for you.

Peace