To Be Mad Or Not To Be Mad?

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

To the OP: That's bizarre. 90% of the time, both TD and UIC are going to back the umpire and not bow down to "We won't play if they umpire" tactics. However, the odd occurrence in my experience where someone wants to lick coaches' boots almost always comes from the TD's side, and not the UIC. What you experienced is completely backward. I've seen UIC-TD shouting matches where TD wants to appease teams and the UIC refuses (properly IMHO!). Never seen it the other way around though.

I'm pretty sure I'd never work for that UIC again.

My thoughts, too. Where in the world does an UIC have authority over a TD?

[RPatrino]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

My thoughts, too. Where in the world does an UIC have authority over a TD?

I guess that depends on who is doing the assigning for the game. I don't agree with the UIC not backing his umpires, and if I was this UIC I would be getting my butt to the field to assist my umpires.

As to the OP, you created your own misery here by letting the behavior get too far out of hand. I don't advocate 'rabbit ears' by any means, however, the minute that hat hit the ground he would have been gone. Once that was allowed, you lost control of your game. It has been my experience that the players and fans take their lead from the adults on the field, you are lucky your problem was only from them, it could have escalated to a much worse situation.

BSUmp, you surely fabricated a lot out of a post that wasn't there. Pissing and moaning from a bench might be part of your games but its certainly not part of mine. Ignored, that behavior always gets worse.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

I guess that depends on who is doing the assigning for the game. I don't agree with the UIC not backing his umpires, and if I was this UIC I would be getting my butt to the field to assist my umpires.

I've learned over the years that frequently a UIC is being paid for that role by the TD (or for HS/college a conference). I've had UICs tell me that they don't work for the umpires cause they don't want to risk derailing the gravy train.

[RPatrino]

Originally Posted by GROUPthink

I've learned over the years that frequently a UIC is being paid for that role by the TD (or for HS/college a conference). I've had UICs tell me that they don't work for the umpires cause they don't want to risk derailing the gravy train.

I have learned over the years that a UIC who claims they don't work for the umpires is a putz.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

I have learned over the years that a UIC who claims they don't work for the umpires is a putz.

I'm not arguing that. I'm just saying that it's better to know which kind of UIC you have before push comes to shove. And at times, it's meant I simply say, "No thanks" when asked to work.

Locally there's a place that does weekend tournaments. Many umpires go there and work multiple games. They decided that this year they would only pay umpires 1/2 fee if there's a forfeited game between two other games that are actually played. That's a deal-breaker for me -- if they expect me to sit around for 2 hours to work the next game, I expect to get paid for my time whether it's spent umpiring or sitting in a chair (it's too far to drive home and back). The UIC refuses to get involved.

They didn't budge, and neither did I. I suppose others need the money more than I do.

[tankmjg24]

I found the situation to be rather confusing myself. As most have said it seems that the site director usually tries to appease coaches and that the UIC backs the umpires. It was the complete opposite.

The UIC sits on the state committee alongside the state director and a few regional directors. The site director is in charge on the tournament field and reports to the regional director. The site director has power, but no where near the power that the state committee has.

In terms of umpiring, this UIC pretty much has a monopoly on the entire area. This particular team has multiple teams in multiple age groups and I honestly feel as if the UIC did not want to upset the coaches in fear that none of their teams would ever return to a tournament resulting in lost money for the group. One of the other umpires from the field actually said that the situation was bull and that if it happened to him he would have left the facility as he felt this was allowing the teams to show up the umpires. He said he would have called the UIC as he was walking out the gate telling him that if he did not want to back the umpires that he was going to have to drive down to the fields to umpire it himself as he and his partner were out. This ran through my mind for a break second, but I did not want to get black balled nor leave the kids without an umpire as it was not their fault.

I thought about ejecting the coaches a few times, but they never really got drastically out of hand until the incident on Sunday. I felt a warning to calm them down a bit was better for the situation. Their actions on Friday were honestly more entertaining than threatening.

In terms of having rabbit ears, this is no where near the case. I walked down to be within ear shot in order to be able to back my partner in case something happened and a report needed to be written. Standing in A position I would have been no assistance to him.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by tankmjg24

...
I thought about ejecting the coaches a few times, but they never really got drastically out of hand until the incident on Sunday. Their actions on Friday were honestly more entertaining than threatening.

Entertaining?

• Coaches and players complaining about every call?
• AC throwing his hat to the ground while he is arguing with you?

This is not entertainment, this is poor game control.

1. Players and coaches do not argue calls. Dugouts don't erupt over a call. Manager gets to dispute the call (respectfully), AC's don't say a word about calls, players get no leash at all.
2. AC's don't argue calls so they don't get to throw their hats in an argument. AC's are supposed to tell players to run, stop, turn left or right, come back, go, etc. They do not argue or dispute calls nor do they approach you to get another opinion.

The problem here is you and your partner. By not getting control of the game early, you allowed all of this to go on. There are no warnings for crap like this, there is only ejection. Grow a pair and get jerks like this off the field. You'll be a better umpire for it in the long run.

As far as your useless UIC, he should be strung up by his ball sack for not standing behind you. Believe me, that would be the last time he did that to me!

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by tankmjg24

The assistant is mouthy and throws his hat onto the ground as he is complaining.

Originally Posted by tankmjg24

Their actions on Friday were honestly more entertaining than threatening.

You don't see the problem here?

IMHO, not ejecting on Friday CAUSED the problem on Sunday. Not ejecting in such a clear cut case only makes the jobs of his future umpires harder.