That's really not very nice. People come in all shapes and sizes, and it's no better fat-bashing than it is to criticize any other physical attributes. Give me your bio and I'll find something to bash you about.

Like it or not, it's true.

Why do you think none of the newer MLB umps are fat? Why do you think that chubby MiLB umps are told to lose weight?

The perception of both the public and MLB is that fat, grossly obese umpires look terrible, lazy and less competent that those with athletic frames.

The days of Froemming fatasses are over. Just a fact of life.

Edited to add:

Your attemp to include the obese with the truly disabled is sad. A parapalegic can't grow new limbs. An obese umpire can lose weight. Haven't you?

Steve's in a battle with weight that I am familiar with. He's winning it and he will win it. He will deserve all the credit in the world when he wins it, because it's extremely difficult.

And another battle he's winning is the one where he questioned your fair-mindedness and compassion as a human being. You obviously have very little room in your narrow existence for certain people, just because they don't fit your superior mold.

You know what that's called, right?

There's an umpire around here who doesn't move well due to weight and injuries. He sees everything, gets great angles, has superior knowledge and is flat-out better at umpiring than most of us who move well and wear off-the-rack sizes.

It's as rude and narrow-minded to be exclusive of certain umpires due to appearance as it is in other walks of life.

The best quote I ever heard on this: "He's narrow-minded, but at least he leaves room for himself."

Obesity is one of the main criterion to qualify for Social Security Disability, so it most definitely is a true disability. Many people are genetically disposed to being heavy. Fortunately for me, I am not. I just loved to eat too much, and can lose weight. It is much harder for many people who would just love to be thin. They exercise and eat right, but still can't lose any significant weight. Research the subject before judging others for their weight problems.

I'l be sure to mention that to the professional evaluators. I'm sure they'll see the error of their ways.:rolleyes:

Completely understand. Still, they won't make it in professional umpiring. That's my point, and despite your emotional attachment to your argument, it is a fact.

No, I believe the point you were making is that you don't like fat people very much, and think less of them as people than you do skinny, scrawny, semi-anorexic people, or people with Greek god-like physiques.

"Your attemp to include the obese with the truly disabled is sad"

"The days of Froemming fatasses are over. Just a fact of life."

and this fallacial assessment:

"The perception of both the public and MLB is that fat, grossly obese umpires look terrible, lazy and less competent that those with athletic frames."

That might be MLB's perception because they have an image to uphold. That's perfectly understandable. The public, however, is used to seeing fat umpires because the population in general is overweight to begin with, and many local amateur umpires, and some of the best umpires in MLB history were fat guys. And Froemming was far from grossly obese. Eric Gregg, yes, but Bruce was just a chubby guy. He could stomp your a$$ in a 50 yard dash any day of the week when he was in his 40's, fat and all. Skinny people would challenge him, and he would whoop them every time.

I'm a big guy. Not a big tub of goo, but stocky and muscular to go along with my pot belly. I get around the field as good as any skinny young umpire I've ever seen. I always beat the BR into the infield from A, beat the BR to third on a naked triple from A, and when I go out from A, I am standing at home plate before the BR gets to 3rd base. I have no problem getting around, and anybody's perception of me is irrelevant. They see me run my a$s off, and I never hear about how fat I am, just "good hustle, Blue."

Dale Mitchell was the last batter in Larsen's '56 gem.

Your prejudice applies to the lower levels also, and society as well.

And, of course, narrow-mindedness is rather insidious, because it affects reading comprehension, as it does in your case.

There are great people in all sizes. People who aren't prejudiced are the lucky ones, because they see the good in a great many more people and are more caring and giving and honorable and respectable. You should try it. You only get this one life.

And what is the peculiarity of yours that make the other narrow-minded and prejudiced people readily mock you? You need to expand your mind so you can think about that one before you hurl your next insensitive remark about overweight people.

I'm not going to hold my breath, but some people like you eventually see the err of their ways.

"And the ball gets away from Mickey Owen!"

Uncaught third strike with two outs. Allowed the Yankees inning to continue. Yankees went on to win.

Different game though.

Can you imagine going through life with the memory of your passed ball blowing the World Series?

The only people that don't notice are small children. I've dropped 80 pounds in the last 2 years and my kid couldn't possibly care or notice - which I think is great, BTW.