Arrogance and Being "Bigger than the Game"

[Tim C]

"Just curious, how many EJ's this year?..last year??"

As I have stated many times before the simple number of ejections an umpire has little to no bearing on his game management or ability.

If you had asked: "On your ejections during the last two season have any been deemed 'unnecessary' by your assigner or executive board?"

There are far more problem with umpires that fail to eject than umpires that do eject.

Tuss's major problem may lie in the fact that he is considered 'very' young to work at the level he has attained. It matters not if he is average, good or great it is the perception that young umpires are cocky.

Trust me: The Portland Baseball Umpires Association would welcome Tuss with open arms.

Regards,

[canadaump6]

From one young umpire to another, I would say not to listen to the morons who call you "arrogant". People do have issues with a younger person keeping control of things and ejecting if need be. I am in a similar situation to you. I had always thought my standards for behaviour on the ball diamond were strict but fair, until a veteran umpire told me I had developed a bad reputation as someone who likes to throw his weight around.

I recommend you keep your approach. If people don't like the way you handle things, then go to another association where age isn't an issue. People don't seem to realize that there is nothing in the rule book about age, but age appears to be the only possible cause for these people having issues with you.

It still would help to have more details. How many ejections have you had, and what levels of ball do you work?

[Adam]

Without getting specific "reasons" for their opinions, it's hard to say much. If possible, I'd ask the voluntary advisors, "What is it specifically that gives that impression?" Their answer could either give you something concrete to think about, or tell you their simply full of it.

Talk to your assigner, see if he or she has heard any similar criticisms of you. Just say it's something you heard from casual fans and you wanted to see if there was any truth to it.

As stated before, the impression could be caused by little things in your body language; how you stand, whether you're smiling, your tone of voice, whether it looks like you're enjoying yourself. If it doesn't look like you're having fun, it could seem as if you take yourself too seriously.

[UmpJM]

Tuss,

My impression from reading your posts on this forum is certainly not of someone who is arrogant or someone who would think of himself as "bigger than the game"; quite the contrary, you come across as someone who is genuinely interested in the quality of his officiating and continually improving it, and, from my perspective, one who is mature beyond his years.

Of course, this is just an internet board, and you might project an entirely different image on the field when officiating. But, I doubt it.

I have found that one of the hardest things in life is being truly objective about one's self. It's extremely difficult to have a thoroughly objective assessment of one's performance in doing something one cares about doing well, and in understanding how one's demeanor and actions are perceived by other people, without getting feedback from other people. (Video can be helpful as well.)

Your description of this feedback as coming from "several sources" suggests to me that there is most likely something to these comments; and the fact that you bothered to make this post belies your assertion that you don't particularly care. It also reinforces my impression of you as a conscientious official who cares about the quality of his umpiring.

I've never seen you work, so I really don't have a clue as to what might be creating this impression in some who have and whether or not it's something that ought to concern you or something you should address. Could be a "body language" thing, could be a "tone of voice" thing, could be the way you deal with controversial plays, could be that you're too "by the book" rather than "with the book". Or something else entirely.

I once saw an umpire work a game who had a "perpetual grin" on his face. I would guess he was unaware that that was how his facial expression was perceived. He hustled, got his calls right, & had decent mechanics. Yet, his facial expression created the impression that he wasn't taking the game and his role in it seriously. Could be something as simple as that.

I would concur with others who suggest yoiu try to uncover the specifics of what is creating this impression from those whom you respect and then decide whether or not it's something you feel is worth addressing.

JM

Arrogance is tricky.

I got an informal comment from two PAC-10 evaluators that was simply "You sometimes appear arrogant". I asked for specific examples, and neither could give any!

I talked to a PAC-10 non-conference umpire about this who worked with me on the same game, and he simply had NOTHING for me concerning that, and he is a guy who has busted my balls about persona and presence on the field for a few years now. If I would have been arrogant in ANY way, he would have let me know right away! But he had nothing.

I agree that it depends who it is coming from. I don't agree that it could be considered a compliment to be called arrogant by fans/players/coaches. If anything, these are the very people I don't want to appear arrogant to! There are guys around this area that fans/players/coaches think that about, and these umps always seem to be in the middle of controversy. They are NOT moving up either! So, while most of their peers don't see them that way, they are perceived that way by everybody else!

I have nothing for you. If I seen some video of you working, maybe I could see some stuff.

I would say this. Be careful about being pretentious when making calls. Sell the call as well as it "needs" to be sold. Over-selling calls is a quick way to be considered "above the game". I have seen guys who slightly over-sell everything, and it they DO come across as pretentious.

Quick motion can also be perceived badly. Like you are a little too highly charged. Guys out of the pro-schools suffer from this more than anybody else I see. Their movements appear to be a bit aggressive for the situation. It is little stuff like coming up with a quick and loud "FOUL!!!" when it is obviously a foul ball. Possibly empathizing ball calls too much. "Selling" ball and strike calls (this is old school, but seems to be a thing of the past now...thank god!).

So many little things that it could be, so little video of you working for me to see if I agree!

Tim, wouldn't just about ANY umpire be a welcome addition to the PBUA?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by rei

Possibly empathizing ball calls too much.

Wow, talk about a real sensitive umpire.

[Nigel Tufnel]

[QUOTE=Tim C;538865]As I have stated many times before the simple number of ejections an umpire has little to no bearing on his game management or ability.

If you had asked: "On your ejections during the last two season have any been deemed 'unnecessary' by your assigner or executive board?"

There are far more problem with umpires that fail to eject than umpires that do eject.

Tuss's major problem may lie in the fact that he is considered 'very' young to work at the level he has attained. It matters not if he is average, good or great it is the perception that young umpires are cocky.

I guess I'm too quick to the point...good elaboration Tim, especially on the ones who fail to eject (preventative umpiring for the rest of us).




Pssst..TUss...How many was there?

[TussAgee11]

Thanks ya'll for the replies. The "complaint" was an informal one that I heard about from a mutual friend of both game participants and myself. I didn't want to simply let it roll of the shoulders without evaluating its legitamacy.

JM made the most intriguing point, I said I didn't care about what these people thought, but I did make this post. So clearly, I care. Well done JM

I have gotten a comment from an evaluator on the basketball side of things that I look too cocky with the whistle in my mouth - something about my facial expression. Maybe that is coming into play on the baseball side.

I was just looking for some other issues that could need self addressing or something to say to a pard' in the pregame to watch out for. Thanks for the candid and valid comments - I'll do some self monitoring on those issues to see if I can come up with a better answer in a couple of weeks throughout this fall ball season.

And in about 55-60 games between the summer and spring, I got rid of 2. Looking back on it, I wish it was 3; missed one. Season before, 70 games about, same leagues, same people, it was maybe 3 or 4.

This spring I'll be "moving up" in my association in CT to "Senior City", which is mainly JUCO kids home for the summer or former college players that didn't get drafted or signed. Guess I'll have to reestablish credibility once more...

[RPatrino]

Tuss, I suspect that you are having to endure this criticism simply because of your age. I have seen this a lot during my work with LL umpires, as they move up the ranks. Some adults don't like to be told what to do by young adults, plain and simple. I had a young umpire, probably 13 or so when I worked with him, who was one of the brightest kids I have ever met. I received complaints because he didn't show the proper "respect" for the adult coach's and manager's in the league. Upon further investigation into this allegation, I found out that one of the coach's had attempted to draw this young lad into a debate about the application of a particular rule, and the coach was soundly thrashed and his ignorance of the rule book was plain for all to see or hear. I told the board that the umpire wasn't arrogant, he was correct.

[canadaump6]

Only 55-60 games so far this season, and only 70 games last year? When does your season start and end? I wouldn't worry about re-establishing credibility. Haters are spectators.

Now, I know I was told on here that age doesn't have anything to do with how one is regarded on the field, but I think we all know that age really does have an impact on how you are percieved.

[Adam]

Being young magnifies, I think, the affects of looking arrogant or aloof. When you're older, people assume you've earned that right (sometimes), giving the same look or appearance when you're younger can rub folks the wrong way. It may be a challenge, but it's something that can be overcome.

[waltjp]

When I think of officials who I think are cocky or arrogant the common attribute is usually body language. Have someone video tape one of your games and then take a good, objective look at it.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Wow, talk about a real sensitive umpire.

I meant to say making the call too emphatic.