Arrogance and Being "Bigger than the Game"
 

I've now heard from several sources, none of which I particularly care about their opinion (nor should I) that as an official, I put off an image that I think everyone is there to see me officiate.

Now, let me go over the things that I do that I feel makes that not the case, and then I'll ask my question to the esteemed panel.

My appearance is sharp, but not flashy. I wear the uniform and nothing else, very rarely do I even go with sun glasses. No armbands, shiny belts (not saying shiny belts are wrong, just painting a picture), etc.

My demeanor is quite quiet - My plate conference is quick and efficient, and I don't talk to anyone that I don't need to during the game.

My mechanics are relaxed, but sharp. I'm not egregiously loud, vocally, in my calls, but not passive in them either. My mechanics are nothing that most other umpires don't do themselves (simple fist on strikes, a relaxed pull of the bow on strike 3).

I always try to hustle to where I need to be to see a play.

My game management skills are ever improving - I work by butt of at not escalating situations myself, just answering back in the same tone of voice. This part of my umpiring needs the most improvement, but is also the part I have come farthest along with. I don't bait people to ejections, always try to talk coaches and players out of them. That being said, I'm not afraid to take care of business either.

-----------

So, what other areas of my game could I possibly get this characterization of an attitude that says "everyone is here to watch me umpire"??? I want to think about things I haven't outlined above, as I've asked some other umpires about them and say that all those things listed above - I'm right on track with.

Could there be something else I'm missing? Or should I just let it roll of my shoulders.

Possible ideas, but you really need to ask those who are making the comments:

1) "unexpected" calls

2) overly strict (for your area) enforcement of "non playing" rules (aka OOO)

My plate conference is quick and efficient, and I don't talk to anyone that I don't need to during the game.

I work by butt off at not escalating situations myself, just answering back in the same tone of voice.

Perhaps you are creating an air of aloofness, seemingly not part of the game.

It is probably just a couple of things...
 

like body language. Hands on hips symbolizes an "air of authority" that some people resent. If you do that. The other may be your age. I gather from your address info that you are in college at Elon College or some other institution in Elon, NC. Younger folks always attract ire from someone for having and using their authority over those older than them. I would guess it was some coach or parent that made comments to you about your "arrogance".
Lastly, your stature (or in my case, lack thereof) may be a factor. If you are shorter than say 5'11/6' then some combined with your age and your body language may tend to put some people off that you think "you are bigger than the game".

I would also guess that you are very formal in how you speak to coaches and others. That again puts some people off.

I was a 19 year old Second Lieutenant in the Army once. (many moons ago)
I am short, 5'9" and have a southern/country accent. I met many people early in my military and law careers that thought because of my age, lack of stature and "countrified" accent that I was stupid and arrogant. I think most who know me now have changed their opinions. I really did not care then or now but I think it is important how you are perceived as effective communication is a real focus of mine.

I don't know you or anything about you except your posts so I could be very wrong and way off base here. But, since you asked I offered my two cents. YMMV.

D.C. Teater

Maybe people are there to see you officiate. I know that in some of my games, I was the best thing there. People say that they don't come to see the umpires, but they sure love to watch us punch out a batter on strikes with a flourish, don't they?

Hell yeah, I'm there to add excitement to what otherwise would be an extremely boring experience for all involved. Would these critics rather see us just give a lazy, routine strike three call, or does putting a little pizazz on it actually fire up the fans? I submit that the umpires can and do add excitement to the game by being demonstrative and a bit flashy on the really close plays. To me, there is nothing worse than seeing a really close play, and then the umpire does a Tim McClelland ho-hum-I'm-bored-when-is-this-horrible-game-going-to-end style of lazy looking mechanic. It sucks the intensity and fun out the play, IMO. I'd rather see a Ron Luciano/Frank Drebbin style outlandish mechanic than see an umpire call that looks like he doesn't care to be there.

So, I say for you to continue doing the same thing you are doing. Let the haters hate, because that's what they do best. Let it go like water off a duck's back and carry on.

[QUOTE]
My first question is

Who are these "several sources"? Are they your peers, assignor(s), coaches

IMO, that makes a big difference.

Also, IMO as officials we have to remember The game is not for us it's for the particpants.

In line with what Bob said.

At one time I was strictly umpiring Modified and JV HS baseball. In the summer I got to do my first CBL (Collegiate Wood bat League) game. I had the dish and I was simply awful.

Reason being is that I was calling a strike zone that was acceptable for Modified and JV level personnel not College athletes. In fact one player (in a nice way) said to me "Blue this is not JV"

In the future I adjusted and by my 3rd game behind the dish I felt more relaxed and started doing a good job. The strike zone is that which is accepted in the leagues we service. Therefore, perhaps you have a good strike zone but it's not the kind of zone they are used to in a particular league you service.

I think most of us know that we "make a living" doing the dish, however, IMO we cannot monopolize doing the dish either meaning we should give others a chance. Therefore, if you are almost always doing the dish perhaps others who umpire with you feel you are arrogant.

In summary we need to know who these "several sources" are to give an accurate response.

Pete Booth

Tuss,

There's a blurry subjective line between confidence and arrogance and which way they fall might be, like what others have said, who is making the call if it's coaches/players/parents I'd pretty much say that's a compliment. If its from peers/evaluators/or others in the know, then you might want to re-evaluate your on the field presence.

Pay attention to the people you NEED to pay attention to - supervisors and experienced peers being at the top of the list.

Coaches to a much lessor extent, but if they are reporting to your supervisor that you are "arrogant and unapproachable", ask your supervisor why they are saying that (don't ask them). It's his job to investigate and get back to you with tangible information and not "opinion".

Fans and reporters are just that. They have a vested interest in what's going on but their actual input is not valuable. They don't have the training that your supervisors do, and while they like to think they have influence over what's going on, they really don't. Take any criticism - and any compliment - from them with a grain of salt.

You can beat your head against a wall forever wondering who you should be impressing and who you should be siding with and who you should try to befriend, but it all boils down to "can you work". If the people you NEED to pay attention to say "yes" to that question, you're on the right track.

JJ

My game management skills are ever improving - I work by butt of at not escalating situations myself, just answering back in the same tone of voice. This part of my umpiring needs the most improvement, but is also the part I have come farthest along with. I don't bait people to ejections, always try to talk coaches and players out of them. That being said, I'm not afraid to take care of business either.


This area IMO is probably where the critique is coming from...
Just curious, how many EJ's this year?..last year??

Hmmm,
 

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,

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?

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.

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!:confused::confused::confused:

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? ;)

Wow, talk about a real sensitive umpire.

[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?

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...

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

:cool:

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.

I meant to say making the call too emphatic. :o

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.

Another consideration: what is the run-of-the-mill umpire like in your area? Around here, we have a lot of chummy old-timers, of various quality as umpires. But the coaches know them all, ask about their kids, etc. Anyone who declines to BS with the coaches before the game could come across as arrogant and aloof merely by contrast with the norm.

I'd take this a step further and say it's not just the coaches, it could also be the absence of 'chumminess' with the other umpires.

You are being percieved as being arrogant or unapproachable (I'm sure you're not) you have to find that happy medium of not being overly friendly yet at the same time being approachable. Do you introduce yourself to each catcher and address them by their first name, do you address the Head Coach by their first name. Work on your game management. Game management is more than a thourgh knowledge of rules, mechanics etc. And the most important thing of all is knowing what to say and when to say it. This is something that noone can help you with since it only comes with experience.

Please bear with me on this point- many posters on here say people see Tuss as arrogant because he is young. To me this is age discrimination.

I still hold that I was not whining. Please re-read the post which John quoted:

To me, the post above is not whining. Most of us agree that age does affect how others percieve you.

Nope, it's a perception issue that can be addressed. Addressing it can help you, as the perception likely exposes behavior, posture, or tone that can hinder a career for a long time. Just because the effects are magnified with the young doesn't mean they don't hurt the less-young.

Most people here have focussed on a possible perception of arrogance, but even non-arrogant and quite competent umpires can appear to desire attention. Unnecessarily interrupting the flow of the game can lead to such an image.
For example,

1. After the batter and pitcher are nearly set, calling time to set right an open gate, or ask a bucket-sitting coach to stay in the dugout.
2. Bob Jenkins has already mentioned OOO activities, and interrupting the game to perform them (as opposed to between innings) makes it worse.
3. In the middle of an inning, calling a coach or your partner over to confer for no apparent reason.
4. An umpire who doesn't verbalize ball calls, and who also slows down the timing of his strike call when there is a potential ball 4.

Apparent youth may play a part in perceived arrogance (although I think competence trumps youth every time), but I doubt that youthfulness would foster the impression that an umpire desires to be a major attraction.

Dave has good points. I would add that in a young umpire some may perceive self-confidence as arrogance.

Well, here we go..... the old fart is going to give his opinion to all this! :rolleyes:

First of all, Tuss is in a neighboring HS board to mine. His HS board is as large as mine and has about as many old timers as mine does. Add to the fact that the HS board that Tuss belongs to deals with the more "affluent" areas of CT and the "customers" in this area are royal pains. I also know several of the members of Tuss' HS board and they are not the easiest to get along with.

That said, one of the hardest things that we have to deal with up here is exactly what Canada is complaining about. My board has aquired a large number of college age umpires over the last few years. They are all hard workers (both on and off the field), some are still in school and all have attended our clinics.

Their biggest complaints are that they are not taken seriously on the field. I have seen this first hand as I am either assigned with them or are out evaluating them to move up to Varsity level and beyond. I have had many coaches approach me during a game wanting me to either talk to my partner or correct his "attitude". To these requests, I have to remind the coaches that my partner is an official of equal rank and capability as myself. I remind them that the youth of my partner has no bearing on the fact that he is my equal and I stand by him and his decisions just as well as I would someone my own age. Finally I firmly request that they treat my partner with the same respect as they would myself or get the hell off the field! :mad: That usually gets the point across!

Yes, age is a very big factor in my part of the country and everyone is judged by it. It is something that we teach the "youngsters" they have to work hard at getting around this. Whining about it will not change a thing here in New England. These old "Yankees" have been looking at age for decades - hell, I do it myself sometimes!

Tuss will be fine, he has a lot of good people on his HS board and Tuss has a good head on his shoulders. He will get around the "age barrier" of New England in no time.

Tim C., you are absolutely correct in your assumption that he would be an asset to your board. We too would welcome him if decided to umpire in our region.

I agree totally. We would welcome a young official who takes it seriously, wants to improve and move up the ladder.

The key is putting the "young" officials with veterans who have the ability to teach them the little things like dealing with coaches, handling problems etc.,

Too many times we put the younger officials with "veteran" officials who are on the last leg of their journey and the young official is not able to learn or glean anything from the experience.

Being young is not all bad, I was able to move up the ladder very quickly as a young college student while in TX, but it was because I had great teachers, and I was able to learn from my mistakes.

The biggest hindrance I see from young officials is the inability to manage the game "on the fly". IOW, what do you do when something unusual happens.

And finally, when you make a mistake, learn from it, study it, and don't ever make the same mistake again.

Good luck and keep working

thanks
David

[QUOTE]Ozzy you hit the "nail on the head". Until the "old guard" fianlly calls it quits and the new corps of young umpires takes over this will be the perception.

I believe this type of scenario happened when we were young also. It takes time.

For the most part IMO the coaches have been "spoon fed" by the old vets

It starts right away during the equipment check. Many of the old vets do not even bother checking the equipment in the first place and then when a young rookie starts checking equipment and tossing out a few "bats and hats" "right away' the coach thinks that he is arrogant and he is simply doing his job.

Then there is this "bucket business" Many of the old vets (to appease the coaches and get good ratings in other words kiss their yoo know what) turned a blind eye and when a young umpire trys to tell a coach that he can sit on the bucket as long as he is DBT, again the coaches say that this umpire is arrogant.

In Summary: IMO, it's the "old guard" that caused this type of descrimination in the first place because they became complacent and did not want to upset "the apple cart" and when a new young umpire is simply doing their job they appear arrogant.

Pete Booth

[QUOTE=PeteBooth;539214]The young guys become the old guard. I was once a young guy. I'm not anymore. The old guys still think I'm young and the new guys look like teenagers. (I look young for my age, but I'm in my 22nd school year of working high school sports.)

TCB and doing the right things has nothing to do with age. It has to do with your philosophy and with what's important to you as an umpire or as an association.

I'm pretty sure that I am the only poster here who has worked with Tuss, and I have read this thread with interest.

I don't have time to address specific pernts with all the respondents, but I will tell you this: If I were the Big Cheese, I would have no trouble with assinging--and would promote--this arbiter to HS varsity immediately... and eventually above. Hustle, a calm demeanor and commitment are top-notch, for starters. Tell me how many of these qualities you wouldn't love to drive into the crania of some of the folks with whom you work.

I'm asking this august body to trust me and take my 31 years of work into account. This ain't about me. Tuss "has it," and the years will prove this out, if he chooses to stay on.

The only caveat: He's intelligent. As one MLB umpire told me, "They don't want you to be too smart."

Ace

Care to call up my history professor and tell him that :) And as always Ace, wonderful verbiage.

On a serious note, thanks to all responders: I will do some self reflection this fall and see if any of this other stuff may be true about my game. Maybe I'll even find somebody to tape me work.

Back to the books on this rainy day...

A couple things to remember.
Anything like Varsity HS or Connie Mack/Legion ball, these guys will test your patience.
Anything below, coaches usually are not paid to manage and their lack of rules and knowledge of the game will surface...shrug those things off and go enjoy a cold one...

No one said that this was going to be easy...keep working hard on the diamond and get that degree for backup...:D

A little mirror time never hurt anybody
 

Better words could not have been written for all of us. All criticisms should be, at least initially, treated as having some truth value. If after reflection (the amount of which has a great deal of variation) one decides that the criticism is not valid, then dismiss it. Umpires (in fact anyone) do themselves great harm by immediately dismissing criticism out of hand. And even worse by starting a response with "yeah, but..." Yeah butters rarely advance very rapidly or very far.

Tell them you need specifics. Quite honestly, without specifics it means nothing.

Ask THEM to give you a postgame evaluation and point out what they think you are doing wrong.

I had someone tell me this year that I have a reputation for being hard on coaches and the kids, and having a quick trigger. Of course he got that idea from the one coach I ejected in the last two years, one it took five innings to get me to the point I had had enough.

Rita

Tuss,

As Rita has said, just consider the source(s).

And, be brutally honest with yourself when you evaluate your performance. You can't really fool yourself.