Arrogance and Being "Bigger than the Game"

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.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

...
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.

canadaump6,

There are some things in life that one can change or influence by one's efforts and actions and others that one cannot. One's age falls in the latter category.

When a person attributes his lack of personal success, or even degree of satisfaction with "the way things are", to things he cannot change, he reduces his odds of achieving the personal success he desires and, likewise, of improving the way things are.

I believe you and Tuss are practically the same age. I have seen him make substantive contributions to discussions of "difficult" rules discussions on a number of occasions, I have seen him ask questions that indicate a solid understanding of officiating and a genuine desire to improve, and I don't believe I've ever seem him bring up his age as an excuse for any real OR perceived deficiency he might have as an umpire.

Unlike you.

I would concur with your assertion that age has an affect on how one is perceived as an official. I'm "old". I just do my best to deal with it. You're "young". Deal with it. Quit whining about it.

JM

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

but I think we all know that age really does have an impact on how you are percieved.

Youth, in and of itself, is not a factor. Youth combined with other attibutes, is a factor.

I have seen very youthful, professionally trained umpires, who carried themselves with confidence, work very difficult games and get no grief from anyone.

I have seen very youthful, very good umpires, who appeared, through body language, facial expression, tone of voice or attitude, cocky, work very difficult games and get hammered by coaches, fans, players, and later, off the field, their partners.

I will add that I have seen the same difference among older umpires.

Blaming perceived slights on one's youthfulness is a smokescreen often used primarily to cover up deficiencies in game management and people skills.

[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.

[canadaump6]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

canadaump6,

There are some things in life that one can change or influence by one's efforts and actions and others that one cannot. One's age falls in the latter category.

When a person attributes his lack of personal success, or even degree of satisfaction with "the way things are", to things he cannot change, he reduces his odds of achieving the personal success he desires and, likewise, of improving the way things are.

I believe you and Tuss are practically the same age. I have seen him make substantive contributions to discussions of "difficult" rules discussions on a number of occasions, I have seen him ask questions that indicate a solid understanding of officiating and a genuine desire to improve, and I don't believe I've ever seem him bring up his age as an excuse for any real OR perceived deficiency he might have as an umpire.

Unlike you.

I would concur with your assertion that age has an affect on how one is perceived as an official. I'm "old". I just do my best to deal with it. You're "young". Deal with it. Quit whining about it.

JM

Hey dude,

Try to be a bit more judgmental of me next time.

I didn't bring up age as an excuse in this thread, so quit accusing me of whining. While you're at it, stop shooting me down all the time, and if you agree with something I say please refrain from saying "this is one of the few good canadaump posts on here". While you're at it, trash your little list of debatable things I've said in my time here, because from umpiring video I can tell you are far from perfect yourself.

You are accusing me of not contributing to rule discussions, which I do on a regular basis and did a just a few days ago on the "err" play. I've asked questions and posted videos, so don't accuse me of not trying to improve.

___________________

Finally, be courteous, impartial and firm, and so compel respect from all.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Hey dude,

Try to be a bit more judgmental of me next time.

I didn't bring up age as an excuse in this thread, so quit accusing me of whining. While you're at it, stop shooting me down all the time, and if you agree with something I say please refrain from saying "this is one of the few good canadaump posts on here". While you're at it, trash your little list of debatable things I've said in my time here, because from umpiring video I can tell you are far from perfect yourself.

You are accusing me of not contributing to rule discussions, which I do on a regular basis and did a just a few days ago on the "err" play. I've asked questions and posted videos, so don't accuse me of not trying to improve.

___________________

Finally, be courteous, impartial and firm, and so compel respect from all.

Once again you're missing the point and are completely dismissing an attempt to help you get over this hump you're stuck on. John was genuinly trying to help you, not accusing you of anything, but rather giving a constructive criticism of your demeanor. He's right, you really need to get over what you perceive as age discrimination.


Tim.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Wow, talk about a real sensitive umpire.

I meant to say making the call too emphatic.