Would you take the field with this guy?

[umpire99]

Would you take the field with a partner who is working the plate? His pants are obviously not plate pants. They are so tight around the legs that they barely fit over his shin guards. Because of this, his pants are about six inches too short. I was not working this game, but I was embarrassed to be watching it.

[johnnyg08]

I'd put him on the bases, then offer to help set him up with the proper gear. If he declines the offer, I will bless him and move on. It is possible that nobody's helped him get the correct gear.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

i'd put him on the bases, then offer to help set him up with the proper gear. If he declines the offer, i will bless him and move on. It is possible that nobody's helped him get the correct gear.

+10

[archangel]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

I'd put him on the bases, then offer to help set him up with the proper gear.

I find it somewhat amusing that there are those that feel they have the authority to "overrule" their partner in matters like this, and "put him" at another position.
Yes, the years of experience or age differences can intimidate to get your way, but what if he says No? You actually dont have the power...

I had a varsity game this year where my partner, that I had never met before, asked me if I minded if he wore his catcher shin guards over his pants because he bought them at a thrift store and were too tight in the legs. "How bout I work the plate then", was agreeable to him, (thankfully)..

[jicecone]

Thats funny, because when I was logging close to 200 games a year I used t keep track of all the different excuses I would hear of why people couldn't do the plate. My back hurts, I left my equipment home, I had this team before and we didn't see eye to eye, I hurt my arm, I have a college game tomorrow, I have a college game this weekend, my knee hurts, I like when you do the dish, etc, etc .........................etc.

[umpire99]

This was a high school state semifinal game. His appearance made him look like he was in way over his head. His performance then showed that he was. How he got the assingment, I will never know. He also called the state championship game the next day on the bases. He was constantly out of position in a three man crew.

[APG]

Originally Posted by umpire99

This was a high school state semifinal game. His appearance made him look like he was in way over his head. His performance then showed that he was. How he got the assingment, I will never know. He also called the state championship game the next day on the bases. He was constantly out of position in a three man crew.

Why do I have to consider any of that? What does this have to do with your original question of whether we'd work with this guy or not? If I'm working a game with little kids playing or doing a huge state tourney game, there is NO reason why any official should decide to not work the game because of the other official's appearance.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by umpire99

This was a high school state semifinal game. His appearance made him look like he was in way over his head. His performance then showed that he was. How he got the assingment, I will never know. He also called the state championship game the next day on the bases. He was constantly out of position in a three man crew.

In my state we do not have that choice. We work with who we get no matter what. And I do not get to decide what position I work either. That is assigned that way and I would never make that decision on my own. Now I might say something to those that make the assignments, but I would still work the game no matter what.

Peace

[collint1993]

The best plate umpire I know shows up in sweats and normally a 6 pack in the trunk. And he actually hustles to help me out, unlike just about every other ump I work with. The old saying is true, you can't judge a book by its cover.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by collint1993

The best plate umpire I know shows up in sweats and normally a 6 pack in the trunk. And he actually hustles to help me out, unlike just about every other ump I work with. The old saying is true, you can't judge a book by its cover.

Perhaps it's the level? I have NEVER, in D-111, D-1, JUCO or varsity high school worked with a true quality umpire that did not look the part. If, in any of my conferences or leagues, an umpire showed up like that he would never work again.

I can't believe what some of you experience.

Edited to add: In fact there is a rather famous sketch that Yeast and a couple others put on two or three years in a row at NCAA clinics that addressed this issue. It was somewhat overdone, but it got the point across.

[collint1993]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Perhaps it's the level? I have NEVER, in D-111, D-1, JUCO or varsity high school worked with a true quality umpire that did not look the part. If, in any of my conferences or leagues, an umpire showed up like that he would never work again.

I can't believe what some of you experience.

Edited to add: In fact there is a rather famous sketch that Yeast and a couple others put on two or three years in a row at NCAA clinics that addressed this issue. It was somewhat overdone, but it got the point across.

13u and 14u travel. I'm not old enough to do high school and you've probably been umpiring since well before I was born. You have a hell of a lot more experience than me. But it really is incredible, he is probably the most consistent umpire I've ever seen. Coaches almost never ***** at him. I do acknowledge that he should dress properly(as I do), I'm just saying an umpire's dress doesn't necessarily equal what type of umpire they are.

[robbie]

What an arrogant question.
I'm embarrassed a "fellow ump" would post this....

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by umpire99

Would you take the field with a partner who is working the plate? His pants are obviously not plate pants. They are so tight around the legs that they barely fit over his shin guards. Because of this, his pants are about six inches too short. I was not working this game, but I was embarrassed to be watching it.

If you are assigned the game as the BU, you do your job on the bases. During your post-game with your partner, you might want to recommend that he get himself a pair plate pants. But under no circumstances would I not umpire the game.

MTD, Sr.

[APG]

How would you explain to your assignor why you decided to not take the game?

"I didn't like how my partner was dressed."

You'd get laughed at if you tried pulling that in any sport.

[jkumpire]

While none of us would not do thew game, the original poster has a point. I've worked with people who made no pretext of looking professional, and it causes nothing but problems.

I worked two basketball games in the past year with a guy who has pants so small that his pocket insides stick out, he has white showing all around his waist. His shirt is wrinkled, his jacket looks like it came from a Goodwill store, and we had nothing but trouble all night long. I even tried to loan him a jacket. Your looks do say something about your competence as an umpire.

IN Baseball it is somewhat different because of the gear a plate man wears, and the fact that there is a distinct difference in PU and BU because of where they work, and what the do during a game. But a bad partner does not make you look good!

You have to say something to him in the postgame. What and how you tell him is something io have no answer to.