Umpiring Moment of the Year

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

My # 1 is waking up this morning to find my Holiday Wishes thread closed because instead of being used to promote a joyous season's greetings, it got used for a petty argument.

After all the scraps you've been involved in, after all your posts that have been deleted by management, this is your number one?

Wow. I'm flattered.

That said, Steve, I do apologize to you and other posters on this forum for letting my intolerance of lying get out of hand.

My respect and appreciation for MiLB umpires and what they endure to remain MiLB umpires precedes my son's involvement in the professional ranks. It goes back to my first fill-in at a MiLB game 70's. After witnessing what great young men those umpires were on and off the field, I was both impressed to learn what they went through, how they lived, and how hard they worked to get to where they were and where they hoped to be.

My intolerance for lying has been with me all my life, but was amplified after a subordinate's lie cost my company and me personally, thousands of dollars and the loss of several clients. And, make no doubt about it, misrepresentation of the truth, is a lie.

When one adds a title to one's signature, whether it is MD, PhD, EdD, Attorney-at-Law, whatever, it is perceived as part of a resume and statement of "This is what I am." People can perform all the moral and verbal gymnastics they want to justify misrepresenting themselves in this manner, but it is what it is. (Grandpa Appleton once told me "You can put perfume on a cow-pie, but it's still sh!t.")

I know from many emails, that I am not the only one annoyed by Michaels use of MiLB in his signature. I am, for better or worse, the only one who gets annoyed to the point that silence is not an option.

Michael, and anyone else who inflates his signature, for that matter, know exactly how it is interpreted. They apparently need that kind of validation in lieu of real ability, or lack of confidence. If he were truthful, he write, "MiLB-fill in", if he really is or was.

If he were confident in his abilities, he'd write nothing. I know of at least six, and counting Michael, maybe seven posters here who have worked as fill-ins at the one MiLB level or another. Guess how many feel the need to list what they have done or continue to do?

I have filled in for a friend who teaches an evening class in Jazz History at a local university. He is a full professor with PhD and that is the rank and education required for his position. Should I include "Professor of Jazz Studies" with my signature even though I do not qualify for the title and don't have the required training?

I suppose reminding people that Michael is, at best exaggerating, isn't really necessary. One only need to read his writings on rules and mechanics to see that he doesn't have the training or knowledge to an MiLB umpire.

With that off my chest, I'll go back to just being amazed at how brazen he is, in silence, and understand that his track record indicates he can't be trusted.

[MichaelVA2000]

Originally Posted by GarthB

My respect and appreciation for MiLB umpires and what they endure to remain MiLB umpires precedes my son's involvement in the professional ranks. It goes back to my first fill-in at a MiLB game 70's. After witnessing what great young men those umpires were on and off the field, I was both impressed to learn what they went through, how they lived, and how hard they worked to get to where they were and where they hoped to be.

A MiLB umpire's lifestyle is most impressive and they certainly cope with a lot. Their's is a lifestyle that I would not choose to live and I respect those that endure the travel, low pay, and sometimes poor working conditions. Bless them and may they succeed in their goals.

When one adds a title to one's signature, whether it is MD, PhD, EdD, Attorney-at-Law, whatever, it is perceived as part of a resume and statement of "This is what I am." People can perform all the moral and verbal gymnastics they want to justify misrepresenting themselves in this manner, but it is what it is. (Grandpa Appleton once told me "You can put perfume on a cow-pie, but it's still sh!t.")

I am not adding a title to my signature. What I have added is the level of ball that I have umpired and associations that I belong to.

Michael, and anyone else who inflates his signature, for that matter, know exactly how it is interpreted. They apparently need that kind of validation in lieu of real ability, or lack of confidence. If he were truthful, he write, "MiLB-fill in", if he really is or was.

Once again, I am not adding a title to my signature. What I have added is the level of ball that I have umpired and associations that I belong to.

I have filled in for a friend who teaches an evening class in Jazz History at a local university. He is a full professor with PhD and that is the rank and education required for his position. Should I include "Professor of Jazz Studies" with my signature even though I do not qualify for the title and don't have the required training?

Professor of Jazz would be a bad idea. I do not see anything wrong with listing the university that you filled in at if you are comfortable in doing so.

I suppose reminding people that Michael is, at best exaggerating, isn't really necessary. One only need to read his writings on rules and mechanics to see that he doesn't have the training or knowledge to an MiLB umpire.

Nothing has been exagerated in the levels of ball that I have umpired.

With that off my chest, I'll go back to just being amazed at how brazen he is, in silence, and understand that his track record indicates he can't be trusted.

Whew! I am glad all of that is off your chest and content that I have amazed you.

Just for you little buddy,

Michael
MiLB fill in, NCAA, ASA, NSA, FED, PONY

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by MichaelVA2000

Michael
MiLBS, NCAA, ASA, NSA, FED, PONY

[GarthB]

My best moments in umpiring:

1. Working a three-man AAA Legion game with my two sons.

2. The first time I watched my younger son work as a real MiLB umpire.

[MichaelVA2000]

Originally Posted by JJ

Toss up for me -
#1 While in Venezuela for a Team USA tournament, I got to ride a local bus 10 hours over two-lane road in 90 degree temps with no air conditioning and Mario Andretti driving (we went from one tournament city to another), OR

#2 On the same trip I got to ride (with two of the teams) BACK from one city to the other on a HUGE Venezuelan military transport plane. WAY cool!
JJ

I can see where those situations would be a toss up. Which of the two do you consider to be the most brutal?

Originally Posted by GarthB

My best moments in umpiring:

1. Working a three-man AAA Legion game with my two sons.

2. The first time I watched my younger son work as a real MiLB umpire.

Those certainly are moments to be proud of and thank you for catching my typo per your #30 post in this thread.

This year my best moment this year was being able to get back on the field and umpire after two major cancer surgeries and months of chemotherapy.

[ozzy6900]

Umpiring Moment of the Year

My best moment would be to see an end to this ridiculous thread!

[BigTex]

My umpiring moment of the year was at a 15 and under girls softball tournament. I go near the backstop, take off my base pants, put my jock on over my underware, then put my plate pants on........no, wait, that wasn't me......nevermind.

[umpduck11]

Originally Posted by BigTex

My umpiring moment of the year was at a 15 and under girls softball tournament. I go near the backstop, take off my base pants, put my jock on over my underware, then put my plate pants on........no, wait, that wasn't me......nevermind.

Now that's funny !

[canadaump6]

Give it a rest Garth. He put MiLB in his signature with no harm intended. The professional umpires you defend probably couldn't care less if someone claims to be an MiLB umpire. They'd probably laugh at a non-professional speaking for them. Quit being so self-righteous and let the pros decide if putting MiLB in a signature is something to make an issue of.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Give it a rest Garth. He put MiLB in his signature with no harm intended. The professional umpires you defend probably couldn't care less if someone claims to be an MiLB umpire. They'd probably laugh at a non-professional speaking for them. Quit being so self-righteous and let the pros decide if putting MiLB in a signature is something to make an issue of.

Canda, my boy, once again you know not of what you speak. To date I have heard from six active MiLB umpires who think he's an idiot for listing MiLB without actually being an MiLB umpire. Why don't they come on and tell him? They are prohibited by contract from posting on these forums.

Additionally two former MiLB umpires have emailed me agreeing that his practice of putting MiLB in his signature is, at best, misleading, partly because he's the only one who thinks it means what he claims. One has suggested that he thinks Michael worked during the strike.

The best comment I've gotten from them is that most everyone will recognize him as a phony when they read his posts.

If having zero tolerance for liars is self-righteous little one, than I am indeed guilty.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by GarthB

To date I have heard from six active MiLB umpires who think he's an idiot for listing MiLB without actually being an MiLB umpire. Why don't they come on and tell him? They are prohibited by contract from posting on these forums.

Riddle me this, Caped Crusader:

Why are they prohibited from posting on this forum, but not prohibited from posting on Hunter Wendelstedt's forum?

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Riddle me this, Caped Crusader:

Why are they prohibited from posting on this forum, but not prohibited from posting on Hunter Wendelstedt's forum?

The prohibition applies to all sites. Bobbybanaduck surmises that some of them haven't read the fine print of their contracts.

Other than that, I have no idea.

[Cub42]

Make it 6 Garth. I find it ridiculous for someone to portray themselves as someone who works at a level they do not. By being arrogant towards others does not make you look better either. Just be yourself and move on.

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Riddle me this, Caped Crusader:

Why are they prohibited from posting on this forum, but not prohibited from posting on Hunter Wendelstedt's forum?

Are there major league guys posting on Hunter's forum, who are bound by a different contract? We've all heard the MiLB guys aren't allowed to post, but does MLB make its umpires play by the same rules?

[justanotherblue]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Give it a rest Garth. He put MiLB in his signature with no harm intended. The professional umpires you defend probably couldn't care less if someone claims to be an MiLB umpire. They'd probably laugh at a non-professional speaking for them. Quit being so self-righteous and let the pros decide if putting MiLB in a signature is something to make an issue of.

When you have accomplished something in you life, that you spent a great deal of time, money and effort to achieve, then spend years proving yourself time and again, only then will you understand. Until then it's beyond you.

I just happen to agree with Garth on this one. I truly have no tolerance for a liar, cheat or thief.