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?