"Slinging the bat"

[Adam]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

I never wrote that complaints from coaches are virtually always the umpire's fault. I did note that if all an umpire sees are coaches who complain they may want to invest in some introspection. I have kicked calls and had coaches bite. I deserved the response but learned how to handle their actions. I can bite back too.

You're right, but I was wrong about the precise comments that spurred the response. I'll say this, your comments in that particular thread came across to virtually everyone as condescending and overly presumptuous. You may not have felt that way or intended them that way, but that's how they were received (almost universally).

So, given your statement above, wouldn't that call for some introspection?

[MikeStrybel]

I work with a few guys who post here. Most of them laugh at how my posts are received. Some have told me to forget about changing the attitude around here and just accept the fact that people need to vent online because we have to be better than that on the field. A couple others have stated that if I want civil discourse I should try another site. I will keep trying to be professional with my posts and hope that my 'cynicism' may rub off on some. The internet eliminates tone and sincerity from most of our posts.

I hope you understand now that I do not pretend to be better than anyone else here. I am not a white hat wearing do gooder. Six plus years living in Asia humbled me and taught lessons about community. Umpires there conduct themselves with dignity and are actually revered. They are held accountable for their conduct away from the game. I respect that system. I know I am a better umpire for having lived that experience. I hope it makes me a better person too.

Thanks again for being civil. I see 17,851 posts and can see you enjoy the board. For what it's worth, I do too.