Help with abbreviations
 

Could someone help with the abbreviations that are used? eg: HTBT, OBS, OBR, ETC.
Is there somewhere you can go that explains all these abbreviations?
Thanks for the help.

HTBT = Had to be there
OBS = Obstruction
OBR = Official Baseball Rules
ETC = et cetera, a Latin expression meaning "and other things":)

HTBT- had to be there
OBS- obstruction
INT- interference
OBR- official baseball rules
OP- original post
PU- plate ump
BU- what do you think? lol

Cant think of any others- you'll have to be specific

BS = phrases uttered by an unruly parent whose son can do no wrong.

HTBT--Had to be there
OBS--Obstruction
OBR--Ordinary baseball rules--major league rules

Thanks for the replies. I especially needed the help with the ETC. term!!

If you think of others just let me know, not sure how to be more specific until I see them.

BR - Batter/Runner
R1 - Runner on First, unless you're on the softball board where that's the lead runner, where-ever he/she may be.
R2 - Runner on Second, unless... you get the drill.
U1/U3 - First and Third Base Umpires (3-man system).
F1 - F9: Pitcher, Catcher, 1st Baseman, 2nd, 3rd, SS, LF, CF, RF.
DH - Designated Hitter.
EH - Extra Hitter.
IFF - Infield Fly (if fair!)
DMC - Dumb Move Catcher (or coach).
Rat - any coach, at any level.
TWP - Third World Play (a hypothetical situation that regardless of the insistence of the OP, could NEVER really happen, and thus is so ridiculous as to not be worthy of discussion).
HM - Hot Mom.
FHM - F.... EXTREMELY Hot Mom.

What else?

Another site had these:

General Internet acronyms

BTW – By the way
FWIW – For what it’s worth
HTBT – Had to be there
IMHO – In my humble opinion
IMO – In my opinion
LOL - Laughing Out Loud
OMG – Oh my god!
OP or O/P– Original post
OTOH - On the other hand
NFG - No Freakin' Good
PM - Private message
POV - Point of view
WOBW - waste of band width
YGTBSM – You've got to be ****tin' me!
YMMV – Your mileage may vary


Umpire related acronyms

1BC - First Base coach
1BLE – First base line extended
2M, 3M, 4M, or 6M – a 2, 3, 4, or 6 man crew (respectively)
3BC - Third Base coach
3BLE - Third base line extended
"A", "B", "C" - The A, B, or C position (respectively)
AC - Assistant Coach
AD - Athletic Director
B1 – Lead-off batter of the game in the 1st batting slot
B2, B3 . . . – 2nd batter, 3rd batter . . .
BI – Batter’s interference
BC - Base coach
BOO - Batting Out of Order
BR – Batter-runner
BRD - Baseball Rule Differences, by Carl Childress
BU - Base umpire (typically for a 2-man crew)
BW - Balk warning
CDP – Cooperstown Dream Park
CF – centerfield
CI – Catcher’s interference
C/NC - Catch / No-catch call
CP – Chest protector
CW – Crew Chief
CYA - Something you should always do
DB – dead ball
DBT - Dead ball territory
DDB – delayed dead ball
DC or DM – Defensive coach or manager
Dish – Home plate
DK3 - Dropped third strike
EJ - Eject, or ejection

F1 - Pitcher
F2 – Catcher
F3 – First baseman
F4 – Second baseman
F5 – Third baseman
F6 – Shortstop
F7 – Left fielder
F8 – Center fielder
F9 – Right fielder
F10 – Left out

F/F - Fair / foul call
FED – Federation Rules (High School) aka NFHS
FO - Force out
FYC - Something you should never do
HC - Head coach
HM - Home manager
HOK - Hands on knees
HP – Home plate
HPU – Home Plate umpire, aka U4 & PU
HSM - Hockey Style Mask
HT - Home team
HWUS - The Harry Wendelstedt School for Umpires, aka Harry's
IFF - Infield fly
IFR – Infield fly rule
IIITBTSB - well, you know
Indy – a professional independent baseball league
INT - Interference
JEA – Jim Evans Annotated rules manual,
JEAPU - Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring, aka Jimmy's
JR or J/R - Jaksa/Roder Rules Interpretation manual
LBT - Live ball territory
LBT - Live Ball Territory
LF – left field
MC - Malicious Contact
MiLB – Minor League Baseball
MLB – Major League Baseball
MLBUM – MLB umpire’s manual
NFHS – High school rules, aka FED
OBR – Official Baseball Rules, aka PRO
OBS – Obstruction
OC or OM – Offensive coach or manager
OF – outfield
OOO – Overly officious official
OOP – Out of play
PBUC - The Professional Baseball Umpire Corp.
PU – Home plate umpire, aka U4 & HPU
RISP - Runner(s) in scoring position
RF – right field
S1 – Substitute for B1
S2 – Substitute for B2
SB – softball
Sitch – Situation
SUL - Super Ultra Light mask
TD - Tournament Director
TOP – Time of pitch
TOT – Time of throw
U1, U2, U3 – 1B, 2B, 3B base umpire (respectively)
U4 – Home plate umpire, aka PU & HPU
UIC – Umpire-in-Chief
UL - Ultra Light mask
VM - Visitor's manager
VT - Visiting team


Runners on base for OBR

R1 - Base runner at 1B at the TOP
R2 - Base runner at 2B at the TOP
R3 - Base runner at 3B at the TOP

Runners on base for FED

R1 - Base runner closest to HP at the TOP on any base
R2 - Base runner who is behind R1, on 1B or 2B at the TOP
R3 - Base runner at 1B at the TOP when bases are loaded
[Doesn’t this method suck? -RBS]

Traditional baseball abbreviations

AB - Times at Bat
AVG - Batting Average
BB - Walks (Bases on Balls)
BK - Balk
CG - Complete Game
CS - Caught Stealing
DO or DB – Double (2 base hit)
DP - Double Play
E - Error
ER - Earned Run
ERA - Earned Run Average
GP - Games Played
GP - Games Played
GSH - Grand Slam Home Run
H - Hit
HP or HBP - Hit by Pitch
HR - Home Run
IBB - Intentional Walk
K - Strikeout
LOB – Runner(s) Left on Base
OBP - On-Base Percentage
PB - Passed Ball
PK - Pickoff
PO - Putout
R or RS - Runs Scored
RBI - Runs Batted In
SB - Stolen Base
SB - Stolen Base
SF - Sacrifice Fly
SH - Sacrifice Hit (Bunt)
SLG - Slugging Percentage
SO or K - Strikeout
TP - Triple Play
TR – Triple (3 base hit)
WP - Wild Pitch

DK3 is wrong - I've always seen and typed D3K.

BW? First - what the heck is that, and Second, it's used so often we need an abbreviation? :rolleyes:

Dish is not an acronym.

FO is Fly Out, not Force Out

LBT - important enough to include twice I guess. :)

FO is Foul Out, not Fly Out. Fly Out is F, followed by the position number of the fielder, e.g., F-6. That is one reason why the umpire calling the line points fair or foul on a routine fly out near the line.

Remember that acronyms are a type of abbreviation.

An acronym is an abbreviation pronounced as a word (AIDS, NATO) and not as individual letters (USA, ASPCA, HTBT). Offhand, I can't think of any baseball acronyms. In fact, as I look at the lists people have posted, I realize that most of the abbreviations are virtually never spoken, only written as useful shorthand.

I Googled "POV" and "MILF" together. Oh, my.

Good point. TASO is a sports acronym in Texas that comes to mind, but I can't come up with any more.

OOO = Overly Officious Official: someone who involves himself in a game where it is unwarranted

"Rat" is a term used by those who have never had the joy of coaching their son or daughter. When used, it speaks volumes about their insecurities and lack of respect for the game.

I haven't heard it in a while, but when I played, an umpire who reacted to every comment was a "rabbit ears" (no abbreviation that I know of). The term could also apply to a player (usually a pitcher).

A relief pitcher was commonly mocked as "short-order cook" (again no abbreviation), but I was never quite sure what that term was supposed to mean.

Remember "can o' corn"? Anybody know the origin?

I should say that decades ago, both teams would routinely spew a torrent of supposedly humorous insults at the other team from the first inning to the last. Players usually seemed to sense not to "cross the line" (e.g., no names, only numbers), but anything the opposition could get on you about, they would, and of course the worst thing you could possibly do was let them know you heard them.

This should serve as a good reminder that FU does not stand for "Field Umpire." :D

I believe this harkens back to the days when canned goods were stacked up high on shelves in general stores. Customers would indicate what they wanted and clerks would use some kind of pincers to pick the top can off the stack and catch it as it came down.

The part I was unaware of until I looked it up was: The reason a can of corn was considered the easiest "catch" is that corn was the best selling vegetable in the store and so was heavily stocked on the lowest shelves.

Rat is a term used by confident umpires at all levels, including the very highest professional levels, who have been exposed to those coaches who think lying and cheating are acceptable forms of lobbying and who are always whining for a little cheese.

Umpires who have not been so exposed should consider themselves lucky.

Completely untrue. I have coached. When I coached, I was a rat too. If you can get a crumb, as a coach, you'll get the crumb. I respect the game tremendously, but also understand that coaches will use whatever they can to get an edge, and will profess to not know something if it benefits them... i.e. a rat.

A ball is a ball and a strike is a strike... a RAT is a RAT.

Re: can o' corn

I heard basically the same story, Rufus, with the added detail that the grocer would use his apron to catch the can and thus couldn't miss.

The narrators in some of the old highlight films use the term "shoot a cripple," as in, "Musial shoots a cripple for a double to right center." I believe that the term originated with something Ty Cobb said.

Now the narrator would be instructed to say, "Shoots a differently abled."

I feel sorry for those of you who qualify all coaches as being less than you. Misplaced arrogance is in evidence with such posts.

If all you experience are coaches who have problems with your calls then you may want to invest in a mirror. If you are worried that a coach is trying to get an advantage over an opponent then you should hang up the gear. Considering the insecurity displayed towards other officials by some of you it is not surprising that coaches are a threat.

I learned long ago that the best compliment a coach gave me was worth exactly the same as when he barked after I made a call that went against his team. Coaches are only rats to those who blow calls consistently and need someone to blame.

I coach my son because I want him to revere the game, be safe and have fun. I umpire because someone taught me the same things long ago.

I'm sorry you considered yourself to be a rat when coaching your child(ren). I hope they didn't see you behave inappropriately towards an umpire, opposing coach or player.

I take great pains to separate my umpiring from my coaching. Harboring animosity towards another adult who is doing their job is a waste of time. I expect that the umpires I see working my son's 11U team will make mistakes. Hell, I worked a college game the other day; after the final out the catcher turned to me and said, "Nice game, Blue. You only missed three pitches. That's better than we've seen all year." I smiled and said, "Nah, I missed two. Thanks for keeping me safe." Coaches should be no more perfect than umpires. I keep trying but still haven't called a flawless game. I don't expect to coach one either.

And here is some for our "senior" umps such as myself:)

LOL: Living on Lipitor
IMHO: Is My Hearing-Aid On?
ROFL ..... CGU: Rolling on the Floor Laughing .... and Can't Get Up!

Not sure where my wife came up with these but might get a laugh!

L2L, N2T = Line to Line and Nose to Toes (the strike zone employed at my son's 11U games last weekend)

I don't know where the term came from, but RATS are uncivilized and always want the cheese and will die trying to get it. Seems appropriate for some coaches, but I have met many who are not RATS.

Rats
 

The term, Rats as applied to some managers/coaches and players goes back decades. It started in pro ball with umpires who are not insecure.

It is not applied to all managers/coaches or players. It is not applied to those who lobby appropriately for their team or simply disagree with calls. It refers to the type of coacb/manager whose lobbying involves outright lying and cheating.

I have heard MLB, MiLB, D-1, D-111, JUCO, Varsity and LL umpire use the term appropriately.

If it offends the sensibilities of umpires who are fortunate enough to have never been exposed to a Rat, they should simply not adopt its use. No one will ever force them to say the "R" word.

This made me laugh out loud. Thanks for that.

As an umpire, I earned my thick skin long ago. I don't call players, coaches and administrators names and don't tolerate it in kind. I have not encountered a reason to hold a grudge against any of them in the many years I have worked ball games. I find it funny that anyone thinks that coaches should behave better than they do.

The rules of baseball at all levels allow us to penalize cheaters. Do your job.

The rules say nothing about lying. I can only think of a few things that a coach could misrepresent the truth about that concern me and most of these involve player safety. If his lie breaks a rule then I do my job.

Over the years, I have met several umpires who work or worked MLB. One regaled me with stories of Billy Martin and Earl Weaver that would make a nun cringe. Though he despised some of their behavior, he held the utmost respect for them. I have never forgotten that lesson. It is what I teach my son and his team and how I conduct myself with the coaches I encounter while umpiring.

I have encountered my share of coaches who behaved badly. The best umpires know how to focus and behave without being compelled to ridicule others and hold grudges. Some of the best taught me that and it has served me well.

To me it is a title that's "earned" if you will. I've worked many games with coaches who, shall we say, lobbied assertively, but thankfully few who would qualify as rats.

While I can appreciate the need for some to disparage others who make them look bad, I am troubled by umpires who think it is okay to name call. If it is appropriate in your world to name call coaches, do you also do it to your partners when they aren't up to your standards? While no one is forcing you to use the term 'rat', I prefer to teach others the ways to improve the game and themselves. Kids learn from what they see and hear. So, too, do younger umpires. Name calling is unacceptable in most professions. Unless you are a comic or work for the WWE, it simply makes you look insecure.

Do you ever get down from your high horse, or just have supplies airlifted in?

Do you REALLY believe the umpires here go out and call a coach or player a rat on the field? Really?

And do you REALLY believe in this mythical Republic of Respectistan, where we all get along, and it's about improving the game all the time? (Some of the time, sure it is, but not all.)

Our assignor's already told us in a meeting this year there are plenty of coaches, HS and below, in our area that while they might blow smoke up our skirts on the field, they will turn around and call him after the game and ask if we've ever seen a game before. Is that professional? Not so much.

I can tell you the number of times I've called a coach's boss, either a principal or a league official, and said anything like that: zero. That's basically the equivalent of what a coach does.

While I'm civil to every coach on every field I work, I also know at any moment, they'll turn on me, and I'm suddenly the no-good SOB that's trying to eff his team. While name-calling in a profession is unacceptable, it appears THAT crap is a-okay in baseball, at least until the point where you EJ them.

Referring to guys like that as a rat on a message board helps me vent some steam, and keeps me from telling them on the field what I think of them. So it works.

I am sure I have met some coaches who would lie for their team's benefit, but most just see the play the way they would like it to have happened instead of the way it really did. And some just like to argue, and some do it for other reasons.

I had a coach approach me and "appear" to argue several years ago after I prevented his batter from going to 1b after getting hit by a pitch. It was the 2nd time in the same game for the same batter and he did not argue the first time. He says "I know he did not make an attempt but the player's Dad is in the stands and if he does not appear to argue he will hear from his Dad after the game." He was bobbing his head as if he was arguing the whole time. I told him I understood, we carried on a bit, and then stopped.

[QUOTE=HokieUmp;752605]Do you ever get down from your high horse, or just have supplies airlifted in?I wasn't aware that umpires should hold grudges that require such action. I may be pissed off at a coach who acts like a fool but I try to leave it on the field. I have seen plenty of coaches at stores, movie theaters or restaurants over the years. I prefer to have them think of me as professional rather than not.

[QUOTE]While I'm civil to every coach on every field I work, I also know at any moment, they'll turn on me, and I'm suddenly the no-good SOB that's trying to eff his team.[.QUOTE]

I would consider the reasons why they turn on you.

See, that is where we actually agree. I have never once stated that a coach who acts like an a$$ should be ignored. If a coach behaves inappropriately, dump him. Do your job.

Have you ever coached a competitive team for a season?

DG,
I once had a coach come to me after the first game of a DH and tell me he wanted to be tossed right away. His team was clubbed in the first game and he was miserable. I truly felt bad for him as his team was awful and he wasn't. He told me that he wanted to go golfing or to the track and needed an exit. After some antimated finger pointing and showmanship I turned my back and tossed him. I saw him a week or two later and he said it was the best thing he could have done for himself and the team. Only we (and now you) know that he was told to hit the road after begging for it.

Rat is a term used by umpires, at any level, for any reason, who are wired for trouble. It is a condescending term which clearly exhibits a psychology of prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination. "Rat" is used to demean another human being and is not any less offensive than the "N" word.

To a one, the umpires I know who use the term "rat" are hoping that by disparaging coaches they miraculously elevate themselves...to slightly above "rat".

If "rat" is such a noble term as you determinately suggest, then take your son or daughter out to a game and call the coaches "rats" right in front of them.

You won't and the reason is much like the "N" word, it is more or your and many others on TOF, obscene forum and locker room talk used only by those of the lowest intentions. :mad:

Try this.

Get rid of your inhumane anger, find out why you have it in the first place and then you won't have to vent anything.

Not even close...I'll let you continue your crusade vs everyone against using the term "rat" but don't even start comparing it with the "N" word or any other ethnic slur. As an African American I find your comparison quite...off base (and that's being nice).

If a coach complains to an assignor about an umpire it is usually a result of a dramatic misstep by the official - personally or professionally.

Do your job and leave the name calling to toddlers.

The ignore list is a wonderful thing, but it only works well if y'all stop quoting the two people in this thread I've ignored. :D

Oh, well, off to work a DH.

Spoken like a true RAT. If a coach complains about an umpire, it is probably the umpire's fault. Utter bull$hit.

RAT is a term used by umpires speaking to other umpires. It reinforces our camaraderie. It reminds us that we are the only ones out there with honesty and integrity. We can't ever compromise that. Every game at every level, a RAT will try and get an edge by being dishonest or by downright cheating. Every single game.

We have to be honest and impartial from the first pitch to the last. There is no such requirement for a coach or player. In fact, dishonesty and attempts at cheating are expected of them. How often have you heard a coach say "You can't blame me for trying" after an unsuccessful attempt to gain an advantage by being disingenuous.

Our job is to make sure the game is played fairly and in accordance with the rules. Who wins the game is irrelevant. A RAT's job is to win the game by hook or by crook. In fact, cheating is actually taught by very good coaches and managers at the highest levels. It's part of the game.

Off the field, a coach can be a fine upstanding citizen. On the field, he is a RAT who won't hesitate to try and get me to make a mistake that will benefit his team. And if he succeeds at stealing the cheese, he will be applauded.

I am grateful for RATS. Without them, there would be no need for umpires.

+1. A rat in umpire clothing is the most dangerous kind.

I spent a couple decades in the military and here are some I've adapted to baseball:
DILLIGAF(S): No, I've got nothing to offer.
FIFO: Welcome, Rookie.
FUBAR: Skip, he called it. He explained it. I have nothing to add.
HUOA: I’ve got third.
SNAFU: They want to push the start back another hour.
SWAG: Out!
YMRASU: I took this game just to work with you, Rookie.

Rich, you are funny. I have been umpiring a long time and have never angered/frustrated a coach or player so badly that they purposely tried to hurt me. You can't say that.

Can the term be overused? Yes.

Does it sometimes apply? Yes (to most coaches some of the time, to some coaches most of the time).

Is it more prevelant the higher you go? Probably.

It's kind of like the FYC. It has it's place, but can be overused.

Integrity. That's a funny word coming from someone who just behaved as badly as you.

If you are worried about coaches trying to get an advantage then it is time to hang up your gear. If a coach breaks a rule, do your job.

No kidding? What is your point?

No. Thanks for admitting what I have stated all along. A coach is expected to seek every advantage he can in order to give his team a chance to win.

Again, what is your point? Agreeing with me is flattering.

One more time, thank you for agreeing with me. Coaches are expected to help their team win. They have rules to follow while doing this. If they break the rules then they can be held accountable. If you aren't capable of doing this then try volleyball.

I know plenty of umpires who are pricks - on and off the field. I remember Brinkmann tell us how pro umpires F-bombed coaches all the time but dumped them when they did it. Is he a rat because he parlayed an advantage?

If that is the case then you should seek to work elsewhere. I enjoy seeing most of the coaches I work games with. I get respect because I give it. When I returned to this board I was met with animosity for wishing others well and encouraging civility. I received a couple PMs from guys who said that if I don't like it I should leave. That's funny; the same guys who propose to call coaches names also like to do it to fellow umpires. That is called insecurity and is extremely childish.

Have you ever coached a competitive team?

Have you asked your son or daughter what they learned from you acting like a "rat"? Have you?

I can think of several other pejoratives that are also overused and equally unacceptable. They may have their place but that doesn't mean we should encourage their use.

For me its more of a term to describe behavior rather than name-call. And I think most umpires would say the same. Most of us really don't care enough to sit in the parking lot, locker room, or meetings and name call. Because the guy that would be called a "rat" simply isn't worth the time to discuss him. But if we are talking about a situation that happened, I may say it just to convey that manager's attitude at the time.

Does this really make me a worse umpire?

And as for on-field f-boming in the pro game - its a whole different animal up there. Everyone knows everyone. Its not like a 20 game varsity HS schedule or 10 series NCAA. Your talking night in night out for 5 months. Sometimes you have to act pissed off just to maintain control and integrity. Its no different than a teacher who yells at the students. Are they really pissed? No.

Everyone has their way of doing things, just because someone says something doesn't mean they MUST be a certain way or another. I know guys who do stuff on the field I could NEVER get away with, but they do because its their personality and how they get their respect. I get mine another way. We can all umpire...

So get off the high horse, the oxygen up there must be a bit thin.

You guys are completely missing the point.

I never said I don't treat RATS with respect. I do, and I hold no grudges that would interfere with my work. I also never said RATS shouldn't be expected to cheat. In fact, I said it's part of the game.

A RAT is not necessarily a bad person, and I made no comment about lessons being taught to children. But, without a doubt, players and coaches are RATS. The first base coach will give the safe sign when he knows the ball beat his runner by a hair. The catcher will yank a pitch he knows is a ball into the strike zone. The batter will writhe in pain after the ball hits the bat handle. A fielder will raise his glove triumphantly when he's just missed a tag. They are all being dishonest and attempting to get me to make a mistake that will benefit their team. That's a freakin' RAT. It's the perfect word.

We got RATS in the dugout
Bedbugs on deck
What a mess - this game's in tatters
I've been shattered

Shee-doo-bee

In light of what I see displayed here, I would rather be here than in the sewer with some of you.

It is hypocritic to write mean spirited pieces directed at fellow umpires and then profess integrity. It is delusional to believe that using a derisive term in the 'privacy' of a forum but not elsewhere is acceptable. If you cannot say it face to face then it is hardly more than insecurity on display.

I also notice that when asked if you have coached competitive teams, the question goes unanswered. That tells the tale. Don't expect coaches to behave better than you do.

I bet you have never missed a pitch, blown a call or done anything to make experienced eyes roll. That is the epitome of arrogance. You expect others to be better than you are. Nice.

Where on earth did you get that from? All I said was RATS are dishonest and they cheat, and I gave you four very common examples. I didn't say I expected RATS to be better than I (better at what, I have no idea), I said I expected them to cheat. Please show me what I wrote that displayed arrogance.

When I coached, I did not behave like a "rat".

Now that I umpire rather than coach, I still do not refer to coaches as "Rats", either on boards such as this, nor in conversation with umpires I know.

Just as there are, in fact, umpires who engage in "Smitty" behavior, so too are there coaches who engage in "ratlike" behavior. That was apparent to me back when I was coaching, and my experience as an umpire hasn't changed either perception.

When I first started posting on this board as a coach, I noticed the use of the term, but decided it was not worth concerning myself about. When my colleagues now use it in conversation it doesn't bother me in the least.

My personal opinion is that it is best not to go into working a game with the mindset that "all coaches are rats", but it would be foolish to go into a game without realizing that ANY coach could become a "rat" in a NY minute.

I find that if I treat all the participants in the game with respect, they are much more likely to respond in kind. But I don't much care for being taken advantage of, so I remain warily vigilant as well.

JM

You quoted me and then said nothing relevant to what I said. Whatever.

JM says it best... respect is that status quo for all until we hit SNAFU. And when it hits, that's why they have their bars and we have ours...

Perhaps its the condescending tone, and the insults thrown with it - as in, labeling fellow umpires as insecure. In fact, that's probably it.

That's not what I asked.

Point being, we're expected to be professional on the field, and not stoop to their levels, and then after a game, expected to forget and move on. Meanwhile, rats scurry to a telephone to run down the umpires on the field, after saying to their faces 'good job.' Ragging to other members of their 'society' is one thing - what I mentioned is something else, and that makes it rat behavior. YMMV, apparently.

Well, it's when a call goes against them, usually. Or perhaps when their pitcher couldn't find the strike zone with a map and a flashlight. And that's evidently MY fault. And perhaps it's because coaches have this tendency to NOT put a previous game behind them, or because they have the 'us vs them' mentality for umpires, and are ready for a fight from the word go. Are you implying that doesn't happen where you are, ever?

Sorry, no. I don't have the time for it, don't feel the need to live vicariously through kids, and I know the rules too well to be a coach.

You sure about that?

Might want to re-consider that philosophical stance.

And

Hmmmmm.

To borrow from Richard Roeper -

Four thoughts for the price of one:

It is funny how some of you insist that coaches who try all means to win are the problem. They aren't. The rules allow competent umpires to address them. Do your job.

If a kid swipes a tag and tries to sell it, that is hardly cheating. If a player grabs his hand like he was hit, when in fact he wasn't, he is and you need to do your job. It sounds like some of you don't know how to handle these things.

I know JM and respect what he has to say. He has never been subversive to me nor show disrespect at an opposing idea. JM and I do (did) not live vicariously through kids. We chose to employ our knowledge of the game to make it more enjoyable for our children. It is sad to think that some of you think parenting is part time.

I have umpired at some of the highest levels, here and abroad. I take pride in working hard to be a good example to other umpires. In the end, some of you need to think about that before you write another put down or encourage others to accept name calling as acceptable behavior.

Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate the day.

http://www.nairaland.com/attachments...44052002f9d454

The funniest part of the perfect response.

Excuse me?
 

Are you trying to imply that we who don't choose to coach youth sports are inferior parents?

He'll probably call you a bad parent and then wish you a Happy Easter.

Like most rats, he's an expert at talking out of both sides of his mouth.

Realistic and very well put. There is hope for Illinois.

My post was in response to a member who wrote that coaches are merely living vicariously through their kids. For every lesson taught at home, the ones of sporting fields/courts are just as important. I choose to be part of both educational processes and take exception to those who think name calling is appropriate behavior for people who are supposed to maintain a sense of integrity and discipline.

Antagonistic attitudes are regularly on display here. From those who claim you need thousands of posts to be considered an 'expert', to those who belittle rookie umpires who simply come here to read and learn, it is sad. Umpires have enough enemies.

I'm still not clear on your intentions
 

If you had meant to send a private message, there are features on this forum for that. Then it would be just an irrelevant personal insult used in a heated argument. But you made it in public, and you seemed to be calling a broad group of folks out with the name, "part-time parents." I read this forum; I don't coach youth sports. As I read your public post, I meet the criteria for your derogatory remark.

I'll ask again, did you intend to call me by that name?

Honestly, I don't think anyone reading along has any clue where you came up with this load of droppings.

I responded to post #49. Expecting coaches and players to conduct themselves perfectly requires the same commitment from the umpire. Justifying name calling is juvenile behavior. Do you permit coaches and players to call you names?

I responded to a public post. I did not need to send a PM.

It was hardly an insult. I explained why I coach already. Others have stated that when they coached they behaved poorly. I prefer to have my son see a good example of how it is done. Another stated that coaches are merely living vicariously through their kids. Maybe some are, but painting with a broad brush is dangerous.

Do you have children who are engaged in competitive sports at the moment?

If you engage in bad behavior that your children see then yes, that is part time parenting. I prefer to set a good example whenever I am on the field - as umpire or coach.

I guess as the newbie I will ask the question.

WITHDTHTDWOP.

What in the heck does this have to do with original post.

Agree to disagree and get back on point. I do not know how to use the quites and all the fancy stuff you do. However, settle this amongst yourself.

nor can I spell... quotes.

Ok
 

OK. As I understand it, you weren't declaring that the class of non-coaching parents are "part-time." Thanks for the clarification. Sorry I took offense earlier.
Hmm. I engage in bad behavior all the time that my children (and lots of other people as well) see. I'm not saying this proudly, just that I recognize that I'm not perfect. Since the class of parents that are observed to behave badly is probably universal, I'm not sure what your point is.

When my younger son was 13, he was U1 in a 11U LL game of some importance. One manager was known to, while remaining fully human, engage in rodentary behavior. After the game, my son explained that the respected manager had been riding him the whole game, and in the later innings, with his team down by 8 runs, told my son that perhaps he was too young to be umpiring such an important game.

My comment to my son (remember, this is back at home; I wasn't on that field at the time) was that he should have ejected the manager for that comment, which he found to be encouraging. To be honest, I don't know if I used the term, Rat. But, assuming for the moment that I did, do you really think that the term was the inappropriate part of the event?

No, he believes it's expected. And referring to certain coaches as rats is simply truth in advertising. True in all sports: some are all the time, some never are, most are some of the time.

But if you'd prefer to call a spade a rose, go for it. You'll probably need an oxygen tank at some point, though.

Apparently, there is a Nazarene umpiring baseball in Illinois.

Who knew?

Me? I'm a hypocrite who gets to teach my kids lessons that stem from my own poor behavior now and then.

Yes, it is.

Neither of you seems to have taken the hint from the deleted posts.

Too bad.

As the originator of this post I would have to agree with jophyal. WTH is all the rat talk have to do with my original question of abbreviations that are used in this forum. I was hoping to get an understanding of terms used in the posts so that I could understand better.

Now I think I just need some D-CON!! (no need for abbreviation on this one, layman's terms = rat poisoning)