Looking Young

[canadaump6]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

He probably just used that "too young looking" BS to spare your feelings. There is probably a deeper reason, perhaps your "poor me, I'm a victim" attitude you display here on this forum.

If that is the case, I really wish my assignor would tell me what the real reason is for not giving my higher-level games. All he has given me is "you're too young and you look too young", so I am not about to assume there is any other significant problem until he tells me otherwise.

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

You probably talk behind other officials' backs, such as these 30 year veterans you are dissing.

Actually I have been very good about keeping my feelings on these other officials to myself. I've seen tons of bad umpiring ie calling the pitch before it hits the mit, calling it way too low, etc. I do mention some of these things to one of my umpiring friends, and sometimes my assignor and I discuss other umpires, but I would have to believe that just about everyone else in my association does the same thing. Do you never discuss other umpires' weak points?

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

You THINK you are head and shoulders above these men, but that is unlikely.

You haven't seen some of the guys I work with. That is not to say that all of them are weak- there are 4 or 5 guys who are very good.

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

we will re-evaluate your skill level.

How did I do on my most recent evaluation? What did you think about my strike zone? Timing? Positioning? Rulebook knowledge? Uniform? Was it tough evaluating me over the internet?

Originally Posted by GarthB

If you are an excellent umpire, and for some reason only act like you do here, here, then your looks shouldn't hold you up.

I am quite different in real life than I am on here. This is a great place to burn off some steam. I'm a perfectionist, and when things aren't going well you're likely to get the whiney side of me on here.

Originally Posted by JurassicReferee

There's also no doubt in my mind that you'll also simply dismiss everything that the experienced umpires will tell you in this thread.

And did I dismiss everything they said to me in this thread? As I virtually always do, I took their advice into account. You know, you've been on my case for a long time. You don't know me. Don't make judgements, and don't tell me how to act because I take offence to that. Go back to the basketball forum where you belong.

Originally Posted by SAump

Pay your dues or quit like everyone else.

I pay my dues every time I do a game by coming prepared, focusing on the play or pitch and studying my rulebook and interpretations. Of course, if paying my dues means standing around on a ball diamond for another 25+ years without putting forth a full effort, then I guess I have a long way to go. Not that you're likely to read this when you choose to ignore-list me.

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Canadacoach,

Yes that is correct, in addition to being a baseball umpire, I am also a baseball coach and baseball player. I know you all hate me for it, but frankly I couldn't care less if any of you are jelous. Because jelousy is the only explanation I can think of for why you guys hate players and coaches so much.

Originally Posted by ManinBlue

when he sees what looks like a snot nosed 15 year old

I take offence to this statement as well. I'm not snot nosed and that is certainly something that you can decide, considering the fact that you've never seen me.

Originally Posted by ManinBlue

He'll be on you until you're back in diapers. It'd be a Rat's greatest dream come true.

No he will not. If he starts trying to intimidate me, he's on a very short leash. I can stand my ground no matter who old or experienced the coach. I don't care how long he's been in the game, so long as he is respectful we will not have any problems. I am not about to let anyone give me a hard time.

[ManInBlue]

You obviously read what you wanted to in my post. And quoted the "offensive" comment. I worded it specifically not to be offensive. I was trying my damnedest to give you advice. I will not make that mistake again. I will not apologize for the comments because:

1. - I started by saying that I don't know you.
2. - I said when the coach sees what looks like...I did not say you were a snot nosed kid.

You said you are 19 and look 15. You can't have a lot of experince in games of the stature the games "you missed out on" would have. You need experience in game management. You may put the coach on a short leash, but he WILL make you feel like a putz before he leaves the field, and he probably won't show you much respect on the front end.

You may go prepared, that's great. But you need to learn to take constructive criticism. If you'll notice, everyone bashed you about your style of posting, your attitude, etc on the board. I never once made a comment directed at any of this. You don't want advice - quit freakin' asking for it.

You claim to be offended by the snot nosed kid comment - your reaction leads me to believe that it may be an accurate statement.

You want some advice? You want to get college games, major high school playoff games? Grow the hell up!!!!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Wow, Canada. Your last two words of your original post were:

"Your thoughts?"

This means you wanted us to say what we thought. Then when we did what you requested, you had something to criticize every single poster about.

I guess we all should have said, "yes, Canadaump6, you are so worthy of higher level games. Your assignor must be a real jag not to recognize your superior skill level and years of experience. Why, there ought to be a special section in Cooperstown in your honor."

If you do not want honest opinions, do not ask for them.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

If you do not want honest opinions, do not ask for them.

This is my same take on this thread.

Peace

[GarthB]

1. If you aren't ready for the answer, don't ask the question.

2. It is near unanimous that your posts on this board do not reflect the thinking or ability of an umpire ready for college ball. Your rules interpretations, opinions of mechanics and history of game management have all been brought into question by your own words.

3. There are coaches who umpire and umpires who coach. There is a vast difference between the two.

4. If you think you have already arrived, you've missed the journey.

[BoomerSooner]

While I'm certainly not going to play the role of the wise, old, advice giving sage (I'm only 24), I will pass on some of the best advice that ever been given to me.

I had been working at my current job for about 2 years, had passed my board registry (I'm in the medical field), and felt I was due a nice raise. My yearly evaluation came and went with only the standard yearly pay raise (this is about the only time anybody gets pay raises). Thinking that my efforts were being overlooked I got pissed and debated going to my supervisor with my complaint. My dad, however, informed me that a better idea would be to continue working hard, because as he said, "hard work doesn't get overlooked" and that "anything worth having is worth waiting for".

Well, turns out he was right and about 6 months later my supervisor informed me that he wanted to see how I responded to the additional responsibilty of being board registered and whether or not I could handle the relationships between my co-workers, who in most cases were older and not registered. He said that I had handled the situation in a mature fashion and had earned a much more significant raise that he actually had to wait for the new fiscal year to start because it wasn't something that would fit under the old budget. So ultimately by listening to my dad, constantly working hard, and letting my actions do my talking, I have advanced according to what I've earned.

If I would have walked around with a chip on my shoulder thinking I was being overlooked or treated unfairly I wouldn't be where I am today. Canada, I've been where you are in both my professional life and with officiating, and the key is maturity and understanding that things happen when they are supposed to and for a reason. Being a 24 year-old husband and father of a 4-year old has probably pushed me that direction more than anything, but I've learned that life is too short to worry about what's wrong and so much more fun when you look at what's going right. Relax, don't worry about the big games, concern yourself with the moment you're in, and take pride in doing what you are doing whether its the big game or the game between two 0-14 middle school teams. I know it may not be PC to quote Bible verses but check out Matthew 6:25-34. It's is a great passage to remind us that we all too often worry about very unimportant things and miss out on the good stuff.

[canadaump6]

I have read through the posts and taken them into account, whether agreeing with them or not. Will respond in further detail later on.

[TussAgee11]

As a 20 year old (young enough to be a son of almost all members of this forum), I feel the need to respond on several fronts.

CanadaUmp: I feel the same way as you at times in regard to assignors. I too think I'm a good official, and get praise after I work a game from my partners. That being said, I still have loads to learn, mainly about game management and quirky rules interps. I do my best on the rules stuff, as that knowledge can be attained just be reading and rereading. Regarding game management - some naturally have it. Stories like ozzy's son show that. I do not have it yet, but constantly work on it. Its difficult to manage a game well when you have a lousy partner, which is what I am most of the time stuck with since I can't do HS ball due to being away for college. By the time I get home, the season is almost started, and I work my way into the crap shoot of umpires that is summer ball. I'll work with good partners occasionally, and not good ones other times. My experience tells me that you just have to keep working hard and if you deserve it, you'll get it.

Last year I got slightly upset when I wasn't working any adult league games. I thought my assignors were just assuming I couldn't handle it, even when they never saw me umpire (honestly, I've never had an assignor for big field ball evaluate or observe me). But then I realized, its not that he doesn't think I'm good enough, its that he already has good enough guys to do these games!

So you have to break into that threshold, which can be hard because politics could be played depending on your association. The only way to do it is through hard work and constant, honest vigilance on your performance.

[ozzy6900]

Well, the original poster is unreadable due to my ignore list, but after reading the posts from all those that still try to talk to this individual..........

In reference to looking young -

You may look young and that cannot be helped. People look at you and judge; there is nothing that you can do about that. My son is 19 and still looks like a young man. When he gets on the field, he gives the perception of an older, experienced umpire in his manner and the respect that he shows to others. He doesn't care if they do not respect them, he sets the standard for that.

I've seen him in ugly situations where I was not on the game. I watched him defuse many situations and when necessary, eject when needed. Not once has any coach complained to the association about anything. As a matter of fact, many HS coaches have asked why he does not do Varsity until they are told that he is only 19.

When the assigner feels that my son is ready, he will be put on some Varsity work but until then, my son doesn't complain! He works what he gets and does so in a professional manner. When he is on the field, he gets the same respect that I do. Not because of the uniform but because he earned it from the coaches in the area. When he went to the State's Babe Ruth, he faced coaches that never saw him before. His UIC had nothing but good things to say about his work and his interaction with the staff and coaches.

He is in college so doing NCAA is out of the question in this area. I would not even approach Nick about putting him on NCAA without Varsity experience.

So here we have two people in the same business, the same age, looking the same (young looking) with two different attitudes. One will take what he gets and still remain professional. He will take criticism and work with it. He will work with other umpires good and bad and still remain professional even in the post game remarks. He gives honest ratings when asked by the assigner (we are all asked to rate our partners at times). He comes to the rules meetings and participates in the discussions and exercises. He interacts with other umpires in our association and outside our association on and off the field like a young man, not a hot shot. And when it is time, he still acts like a typical 19 year old - asks for money, stays out late, raises hell (only slightly), plays golf with his friends and still pi$$es off Dad now and then.

Then there is our poster from the North!

Finis

[t-rex]

Canada,

Are you in the picture that was posted on the ABUA forum at: http://www.umpire.org/modules.php?na...ewtopic&t=5070?

[canadaump6]

I've taken a lot of good stuff from this thread, and taken it all into account. However I do think there is some bad mixed in with the good- a couple people claimed that it is not my age and appearance holding me back, it's my lack of skill. The thing that gets me there is that these people have never seen me work. Now I do take some blame for that. A while ago I said I'd get some kind of video up of me calling a ballgame so that I could get some critique, and I have yet to do that, so for now you guys are stuck with assuming whether or not I am in fact decent.

Ozzy, you have been a problem to me even before I started showing signs of a possible attitude problem. I'm not going to sugarcoat here; you have disliked me from the start, and as a result I do not like you either. While I have considered your advice and reminded myself to behave just as Ozzy's perfect child does, I am not impressed with the old "my son is better than you" BS. I tend to very quickly grow tired of parents that go on about their kids, and doing so to belittle me is just not something I am going to put up with.

BoomerSooner, I greatly appreciate the advice you gave me. I read through Matthew 6:25-34. And I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times before, but way to hang in there and get the promotion you deserved!

Jurassic Referee, just realize that this is my place to vent and act spoiled, so that it doesn't carry over into real life. Now I am going to politely ask that you stop lecturing and judging me as you so often like to do. If you can't contribute or gain from this forum, go back to the basketball and football ones as those are the sports you officiate.

t-rex, I am in the Cooperstown Dreams Park picture you posted. I am in the second row. Amongst the people that are sitting, I am on the very far right, but there are some people standing beside me as well. And yes it's not a good picture of me but I'm not photogenic.

Chucktownblue, you mentioned:
Paying your dues means calling lower levels games, going to the dingiest fields and dealing with the worst managers. And doing it professionally and without complaint or whine. That's how you earn higher level games.

I do lower level games when asked by my assignor. Out of about 55 games this year, I've done a couple 7/8 year old house league machine pitch games. Did one early in the year to mentor a younger umpire doing his first ever game; we even had to stand around for 45 minutes because there was a scheduled practice before the "game" that we were never told about. I do these kinds of things without complaint, and my assignor gives me low-level games anytime he is stuck for guys and the higher-level stuff has been taken.

mbcrowder wrote: And I'll echo what a few others have said... it is an EXTREMELY childish thing to come on a board like this, ask for advice or input, and then blast the advice or input. If you didn't want to know, you surely shouldn't have asked.

I'm trying to be patient here, but I already said that "I took all advice into account,".

Tuss Agee wrote: I thought my assignors were just assuming I couldn't handle it, even when they never saw me umpire (honestly, I've never had an assignor for big field ball evaluate or observe me

That is a frustration for me as well; I have never had someone do an evaluation of me. All that my umpire in chief and assignor know about my umpiring comes from word of mouth from other umpires, coaches, and when they work games with me.

Garth: University and College baseball are totally different things. University ball is not nearly as competetive, although it is still competetive. I assure you that it wouldn't be that hard to do; that may make me cocky for saying that, but it is the truth.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

I've taken a lot of good stuff from this thread, and taken it all into account. However I do think there is some bad mixed in with the good- a couple people claimed that it is not my age and appearance holding me back, it's my lack of skill. The thing that gets me there is that these people have never seen me work. Now I do take some blame for that. A while ago I said I'd get some kind of video up of me calling a ballgame so that I could get some critique, and I have yet to do that, so for now you guys are stuck with assuming whether or not I am in fact decent.

You're right. We haven't seen you work. All we're provided with to judge are your posts. These have included mistaken rule intepretations, incorrect mechanics, examples of terrible game management and whining over your treament by your fellow umpires.

What other conclusion can one draw from the evidence submitted than you are not ready to move up?

If you're looking to place blame some where for the tenor of the replies, look to yourself and what you post here. If you want an instant improvement to the perception people have of you, shut up and listen; stop preaching and start learning.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by GarthB

You're right. We haven't seen you work. All we're provided with to judge are your posts. These have included mistaken rule intepretations, incorrect mechanics, examples of terrible game management and whining over your treament by your fellow umpires.

What other conclusion can one draw from the evidence submitted than you are not ready to move up?

If you're looking to place blame some where for the tenor of the replies, look to yourself and what you post here. If you want an instant improvement to the perception people have of you, shut up and listen; stop preaching and start learning.

Let's not forget this comment. Long before any player, coach or partner has judged you by your actions on the field they've already made a judgment on your appearance.

Originally Posted by canadaump6

I doubt coaches and players are going to care or notice if I am not wearing real umpires' pants. At this point in my career, learning the rules, positioning and making good judgement calls are much more important than wearing the right kind of pants.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Jurassic Referee, just realize that this is my place to vent and act spoiled, so that it doesn't carry over into real life. Now I am going to politely ask that you stop lecturing and judging me as you so often like to do. If you can't contribute or gain from this forum, go back to the basketball and football ones as those are the sports you officiate.

Yup, exactly as predicted.

'Nuff said and 'nuff time wasted.

[SanDiegoSteve]

I like the way he says this is "my place to vent and act spoiled."

What on earth gave him the idea that a forum made up of macho, manly, ego driven umpires is a place to act like a two-year old?