Earrings and a ponytail.

[jwwashburn]

Nothing better than an umpire trainer with two earrings and a ponytail.

YouTube - Umpire Training 2007

[zm1283]

I love how he asks for F6 or F4 to "Show me the ball" on a steal attempt.

[jwwashburn]

Bizarro.

[kylejt]

And why are their feet coming together for calls? Odd.

Ponytail? Really?

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by kylejt

And why are their feet coming together for calls? Odd.

Ponytail? Really?

I noticed that too. On safe calls their arms went out and feet came together. Looks really funny.

The ponytail and earrings don't look very professional, nor do the watches the instructors are wearing while in uniform. I realize they may need to wear them since they're running a clinic, but I can't stand it when partner wears a watch on the field.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by zm1283

I noticed that too. On safe calls their arms went out and feet came together. Looks really funny.

The ponytail and earrings don't look very professional, nor do the watches the instructors are wearing while in uniform. I realize they may need to wear them since they're running a clinic, but I can't stand it when partner wears a watch on the field.

I knew something was weird...The feet! You nailed it.

I had a partner that I worked with for a long time(very good umpire) He was in a hurry one day and forgot his watch. The first batter let go of his bat on a back swing and broke his $250 watch.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Bizarro.

It would be a strange arse world if we dressed the same , thought the same and lived according to jwwashburn.

First it was Canadians and then pony tales, what next Mr Perfect.

I was raised that ALL men are created equal in this country, one of the rights that many have died to perserve. But for some reason those who choose to be bigots forget those facts to enable them to spread their hatred among us.

"Let he, who is without sin cast the first stone" Obviously something you have never learned.

This used to be a good forum until the likes of you and "lets find something wrong with someone" threads appeared.

Grow up!

If you can't find anything good to say about someone, then shut your mouth.

Please do most of us a favor.

If this gets this thread removed then I have suceeded.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by jicecone

It would be a strange arse world if we dressed the same , thought the same and lived according to jwwashburn.

First it was Canadians and then pony tales, what next Mr Perfect.

I was raised that ALL men are created equal in this country, one of the rights that many have died to perserve. But for some reason those who choose to be bigots forget those facts to enable them to spread their hatred among us.

"Let he, who is without sin cast the first stone" Obviously something you have never learned.

This used to be a good forum until the likes of you and "lets find something wrong with someone" threads appeared.

Grow up!

If you can't find anything good to say about someone, then shut your mouth.

Please do most of us a favor.

If this gets this thread removed then I have suceeded.

The Canadian thread was obviously in jest, eh. If you had read it you would have seen that others were much harder on the hosers I was. In fact, I readily admit that the moron in question is not necessarily a Canadian.

This has nothing to do with sin. I never said it was a sin to umpire looking like a goof. I never said nor do I think everyone should look like me. I am a bald guy so, a lot would balk at looking like me. I do think it is a bad idea to train young umpires and not give them the very important fact that looking like a goof is not a good idea-ESPECIALLY for a young umpire.

First impressions have a lot to do with a game. When I show up at my plate conference with my partner(s), I want both teams to see my crisp and clean shirt, my shiny shoes, my clean hat, no stubble, etc. I want them to think that I look the part before they see that I know what I am doing. I want them to immediately realize I am in charge before I ever say anything. I think if I showed up looking like a goof, that would be a lot harder to do.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Nothing better than an umpire trainer with two earrings and a ponytail.

YouTube - Umpire Training 2007

Are you concerned at all with what he's teaching these young umpires, or are you just bigoted against anyone that differs from your appearance?


Tim.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Are you concerned at all with what he's teaching these young umpires, or are you just bigoted against anyone that differs from your appearance?


Tim.

An umpire with a ponytail and or one or more earrings looks even dumber than any other guy with the same appearance. that is the first thing he is teaching young umpires-it is ok to look like a goof on the field. It is exact opposite of what young umpires need to learn first. Young umpires who look like they are supposed to look have taken a giant step. Young umpires taught by this goof have taken a step backwards.

PS That is why I got rid of my long hair over 20 years ago, I realized how stupid I looked.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

An umpire with a ponytail and or one or more earrings looks even dumber than any other guy with the same appearance.

I'm going to tell you a little story. It's little, so you can understand.

I just received word that I am going to be a 1SG (you want a translation, let me know) of a headquarters company (BTW, not to toot a horn, but I'm 29 years old.) I keep seven piercings and three visible tattoos. The tattoos are in reg. The piercings stay, due to my job, and I have an exception to policy (for you Catholics, a dispensation) to have them.

This is not an issue for my association. I have never had anyone involved in the game, besides an umpire or assignor, ask me about them. I have had, on exactly one occasion, had a manager say that he would not have recognized me but for the tatt on my right arm, and he didn't care.

I can guaran-damn-tee you that whatever needle has entered my skin has not affected my ability to umpire, and since Big Army has blessed off on them, I'm pretty sure it's not a detriment.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by Matt

I'm going to tell you a little story. It's little, so you can understand.

I just received word that I am going to be a 1SG (you want a translation, let me know) of a headquarters company (BTW, not to toot a horn, but I'm 29 years old.) I keep seven piercings and three visible tattoos. The tattoos are in reg. The piercings stay, due to my job, and I have an exception to policy (for you Catholics, a dispensation) to have them.

This is not an issue for my association. I have never had anyone involved in the game, besides an umpire or assignor, ask me about them. I have had, on exactly one occasion, had a manager say that he would not have recognized me but for the tatt on my right arm, and he didn't care.

I can guaran-damn-tee you that whatever needle has entered my skin has not affected my ability to umpire, and since Big Army has blessed off on them, I'm pretty sure it's not a detriment.

Matt,

1) Thank you for your service to our country.
2) What does the Army changing its policy on body piercing have to do with how an umpire should look?
3) I never said or thought that an umpire that comes to the field looking like a goof will umpire like a goof. Long hair(like I said, I used to have it 20+ years ago) and earrings make and umpire look like a goof. I certainly realize that some people will disagree with me. I think that one umpire wearing a red shirt and one wearing a navy one looks goofy-some people disagree and think that it looks ok. Obviously, somebody involved with the MLB thinks the smocks look good...I think they make the umpires look like goofs.

If you are confident that your look is a good one for an umpire then why would you care what I think?

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by Matt

I just received word that I am going to be a 1SG (you want a translation, let me know) of a headquarters company (BTW, not to toot a horn, but I'm 29 years old.) I keep seven piercings and three visible tattoos. The tattoos are in reg. The piercings stay, due to my job, and I have an exception to policy (for you Catholics, a dispensation) to have them.

Matt - first, congrats on your assignment (I'm retired Army) and understood everything you said!

I guess one question we need to ask - are you an exception to the rule or the new breed?

I am very conservative in my beliefs and as you know, being that you're in the military, first impressions are important. I'm sure you've had your share of "issues" due to your decisions - and that's natural.

Some (me included) are pre-disposed to their ideas about long hair, facial hair, tatoos, etc. Until the playing field is leveled (in the future, if it ever is) there will always be two sides to this....and there is really no sense trying to talk the other side out of their opinion.

Just my $02.

PS - we have this discussion annually on the basketball referee forum. Same issues.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by grunewar

... I am very conservative in my beliefs and as you know, being that you're in the military, first impressions are important. I'm sure you've had your share of "issues" due to your decisions - and that's natural.

Some (me included) are pre-disposed to their ideas about long hair, facial hair, tatoos, etc. Until the playing field is leveled (in the future, if it ever is) there will always be two sides to this....and there is really no sense trying to talk the other side out of their opinion.

Just my $02.

PS - we have this discussion annually on the basketball referee forum. Same issues.

The problem starts when you see everything as having only two sides. That's why you are limited in your scope. There are far too many people with far too many concerns for there to only be two sides.

Open up and look around. You're only here once; you gain way more when your eyes are open.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

An umpire with a ponytail and or one or more earrings looks even dumber than any other guy with the same appearance. that is the first thing he is teaching young umpires-it is ok to look like a goof on the field. It is exact opposite of what young umpires need to learn first. Young umpires who look like they are supposed to look have taken a giant step. Young umpires taught by this goof have taken a step backwards.

PS That is why I got rid of my long hair over 20 years ago, I realized how stupid I looked.

So, it's exactly as I thought. It's not about his competence or skill, your opinion of him is based on his personal appearance. His uniform looks sharp, and he has a commanding presence. I think it's great that he doesn't feel the need to conform to your bigoted standards. If I had to guess, I'd think that he takes the earrings out during games for safety reasons, so that just leaves you with his hair style to complain about.

Tim.