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Balloon sighting!
On ESPN right now the PU is using a balloon.
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YES!!! I just logged in to start the thread and somebody beat me to it! I might have seen it all now...national television...balloon!!
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Older umpire?
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Is she calling a bad game?
Tim. |
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Surprising...
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Saw an umpire using a balloon protector at the USSSA 14U Major World Series in Orlando, too. Can't believe anyone who umpires a lot even uses those things!
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Anyone who has worked in the tropics knows the advantage of using the outside protector. I spent six years in Asia and saw some excellent umpires who wore the balloon. When it is 100+ degrees with a saturated humdity, those things make life a bit more bearable for those guys (and gals). During the run up to the Beijing Olympics, the play ins were held during some crazy heat. The balloon appeared when the heat rose.
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A little lost in mobility, but if used properly, it's not a big deal. You can get the same look at the strike zone as with the inside protector. The problems are travelling (to the extent they are foam pads and not inflatable balloons) and windy days. |
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On the other hand, one could argue that while it isn't the same, in might be as good. |
I know a softball guy who exclusively uses a balloon. He had a catastrophic injury to one of his arms years ago and there's hardly any meat on that forearm. It's basically skin covering bone. His doctors have told him he cannot get hit there, or it's bad news, so he's gone to the balloon.
Unfortunately, he's been told he won't work any state or national tournaments because he uses the balloon. Seems to me that's a reasonable accomodation for the results of a catastrophic injury. You never know why someone might be using a balloon-style protector. |
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Peace |
Aug. 22/Mon., 2011 at 02:15pmEDT.
I turned on the Canada vs. Chinese-Tiapei game at 02:15pm, and the PU is wearing a balloon. The PU appears to be a female. Got to run.
MTD, Sr. |
The balloon surprised me. So did the "devil horns" when flashing the count (a 2-2 count meant "double devil horns"!) and the pointing to first base when ball four was issued (and I only watched a few minutes of this game). It just seems like any umpire that's been around the block a time or two, bothered to attend a clinic, read an umpire manual or ever been evaluated would realize that we're not supposed to do that stuff.
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I know that this is a minor point but it really doesn't bother me when a PU points toward 1B after a Ball 4. After all the Batter is awarded 1B when the pitch is Ball 4 and we do point to 1B when the Batter is HBP or a throw or pitch goes into Dead Ball Territory we point to the appropriate base. I think this is nit picking.
MTD, Sr. |
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Nit picky as it may be...can you find any umpire manual that recommends pointing to first base on a walk or showing the count on non-consecutive fingers? Yet there are plenty out there that say not to. |
Great advice for all of the Major League umpires on this forum.
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I understand what you are saying, but when numerous codes are now making allowances (read: leagally bound under the ADA) for disabled players, why wouldn't the same apply to umpires who are disabled? When this guy gets told he is not advancing because of his balloon protector, that is a potential violation of federal law. So the guy's choices are: risk losing his arm in order to move up, or keep his arm and not advance. Doesn't seem like a fair choice given whether or not one uses a balloon protector has no bearing on one's ability to umpire. |
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Peace |
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Go ahead and point, but use the left hand, please after you've distinctly yelled "BALL FOUR". Just sayin'.... |
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There are several reasons not to point to first on ball four. Can anybody give me one reason why they think it is a good idea? What piece of information are you communicating (communication being the ultimate goal of all the signals we use) to the teams by pointing that simply saying "ball" or "ball four" doesn't relay? I'm assuming that the batter already knows where first base is located and how to get there.
I had the same thing happen to me once that JJ posted above. I'm in "A" position and there are three balls on the batter. Pitch comes in, there is some movement of the bat. Plate umpire points at first (which is to say, he points at me) and, to make it worse, he says, "Too low", (another thing I hate is announcing pitch locations) which 100+ feet away and combined with a point makes me think he said, "Did he go?". And I answer, "Yes he did!"...except it was ball four. Not exactly the kind of confusion that inspires confidence in the teams that you know what the heck you're doing out there... |
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You're way wrong on this one, buddy. 1) The balloon provides him the greatest amount of protection. Sure, there might be other ways to protect himself (I knew a different guy who wore soccer shingards on his arm ... no lie!) 2) You obviously do not understand the ADA. The law (and most rule codes specifically acknowledge the need to) allow for reasonable accomodations. Wearing a balloon is neither a danger to the participants or to the umpire. After all, they were worn by plate umpires for decades. Each situation and accomodation is decided on individually. Just because one person is allowed a particular accomodation doesn't mean that somebody else will get theirs. For instance, somebody using an electric wheelchair IS a danger to others and would not be allowed. 3) He could also get into a car wreck on the way to the game, but to my knowledge he does not wear a balloon protector while driving to the game. There is no good reason not to allow this guy to move up. In fact, it might be an actionable situation (i.e.: discriminatory) for him to be denied for merely choosing to wear a balloon style. Rule 10-2-1 of the NFHS Rules Book requires the use of a chest protector, but it does not indicate a specific style. |
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Also it is not like his only option is to use the protector. He could put something directly on his arm or he could put his arm behind his back. I am certain there is something he could do other than using a balloon protector if the only fear is him getting hit in the arm and damaging his arm further. And let us just change the sport, would a football official have to use a balloon protector too and if not they people that hired them? There are a lot of ways to get hurt than a ball hitting you and those that do officiate take some risk to participate. Quote:
Also if discrimination is your point of view, then there are a lot of people that would have that claim and it would not be based on ADA. I do not see those lawsuits flying out the door either. And I can tell you there is more evidence of discrimination based on race or gender than there ever would be for ADA from an officiating standpoint. The reason many people do not use the balloon protector anymore is because it limits movement and as it might protect you initially, it certainly does not endorse good movement as you have to carry around this big *** contraption to just start to run from one place to another. I have yet to see an umpire do that smoothly or get to where they need to without being a little clumsy. That is the bigger problem, not just how it looks. Also I work almost all varsity and up in my games and I rarely get hit at all. I can go through a season and count on one hand how many times I get hit outside of my equipment by a baseball. And in some cases that only happens 1 or 2 times an entire season. Peace |
I see no issue with pointing to first WITH YOUR LEFT HAND on ball 4 if you are doing a level so low that batters don't know what to do on ball 4 or even that you've reached ball 4. But any REAL level, don't do it.
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The bigger point here is this guy has been told he's looking at the amputation of his arm if he takes a direct shot. To him, he's limiting the risk as much as possible in order to do something he loves. He's disappointed he can't move up, but I believe he's come to terms with it. There is nothing unreasonable about wearing a balloon protector and in my opinion shouldn't be denied an opportunity to advance. He has been told EXACTLY why he won't move up: not because he's not worthy, but because he uses a balloon protector. He's explained why he does and he's been told it doesn't matter. To me, that is a potentially discriminatory decision. There's a term in the ADA called "Reasonable Accomodation." You should look it up. That would help you understand why your unrealistic and unreasonable (i.e.: to use your word, "laughable") scenarios do not apply. |
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I've related this story before. Juco game a decade or so ago, with two rivals with coaches who were in place for twenty years+ each. 3-1 count and the pitch is wide. The offensive team is the home team and their team mates are operating a HUGE scoreboard and announcing walk ups. The batter steps out for another sign and the catcher looks back at me. I shake my head. The batter steps in and here comes another pitch for one up and tight. He jumps out and looks for another sign as he adjusts his gloves. The pitcher is laughing, the opposing bench is practically rolling on the stairs. The HC finally figures out that they aren't laughing at the last pitch and yells, "Blue, what's the count?" I look at the pitcher and say, "5 and 1". The HC is on his way towards home, snapping that I have to tell his batter that he has walked. He is livid. I tell him that it's his job to coach and that his player is in college. I look back at the press box and nod their way while saying that his team is controlling the scoreboard and microphone too. He kicks the dirt and tells his guy to go to first. My partners did their best to keep from falling down laughing. (Yes, I know that if he had hit ball 5 for a home run the aftermath would have been pretty awful when the defense complained about the BB. It didn't happen, so I don't want to get into that.)
FWIW, LLWS umpires have to do a bunch of things that some umpires find troublesome. A colleague worked it in the late 90s and said that he was told to dust off the pitching plate and 2B (while working second) and his partners did the same with 1B and 3B. They were told to indicate BB with the point and all were to hold up their hands on foul balls, even when they were on the other side of the field. He did what he was told and enjoyed the trip. |
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They do have to keep the teams into the dugout, though, until told to release them. LONG commercials, after all. |
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Peace |
Just want to inform everyone and bob that this is not the real JRut rather someone whom has added a period to the end of their username to appear as JRut.
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The Deej Strikes again.
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Peace |
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Oh yeah she called a bad game, lot of hoopla about her and she stinks. There were quiet a number of bummers again . For all the work these kids put into getting there I think they could do a better job of screening the umps they use rather than being nominated by the good ol boy system.
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People act as this though this is more than a game played by 11-13 year olds. It's already unfortunate that games like this get so much attention from the likes of ESPN/ABC. |
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