3 and You're Out!

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Matt

And Rut, again, shows he is king. If he doesn't make a mistake, that means no one can.

Why does suggesting that a mistake like this means someone criticizing a basic issue as meaning you are king? There are some mistakes like a judgment, even positioning and sometimes philosophy is one thing, but this is basic procedures we are discussing. I cannot believe that if you are the best in the world as many here claim that MLB umpires are that they cannot take the time to wait to see if the fielder caught the ball by showing them the ball. Sorry, but that is not just a mistake. That is either apathy or laziness to have this happen 3 times that we all know of. Again, in the NBA when officials make mistakes they have video they can review daily to their staff to let them know what has been done good or bad. The NFL (despite the replacements) goes over video and plays every week that were done good or bad. I wonder if MLB takes that same focus on continuing to train their staff. Because at all levels that I work we constantly go over stuff to not continue mistakes and many of the mistakes I see from MLB guys seems like they are often going through the motions and living off their past experiences. You cannot do that as an official no matter what your experience is at any level because you constantly have to work on your craft. Please do not tell me that MLB umpires like Bob Davidson is ten times better than many D1 or even HS umpires across the country because he is in the MLB ranks.

Peace

[APG]

Happened again today in the Angels vs. Tigers game from the first base umpire.

[jwwashburn]

Tigers batter bunts to third...barehand pickup and throw...1B tries the pick and the BALL ROLLS TOWARD THE FIRST BASE UMPIRE and he punches him out.

He did call him safe without a conference, though.

[JRutledge]

I guess it is hard to take a second to take a second look.

Peace

[jwwashburn]

Second look? He almost had to dodge the ball rolling at him whilst he was punching out the runner.

I would suggest this guy should consider a first look.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Second look? He almost had to dodge the ball rolling at him whilst he was punching out the runner.

I would suggest this guy should consider a first look.

The term is a commonly officiating term (not so much in baseball and maybe why these things keep happening) to illustrate to take your time that is all.

I did not see this last play so I cannot see how bad it was. But I guess pointing this out makes me a better officials overall because I recognize how this should not happen. Then again this goes back to my point that multiple sports officials tend to be better as they have perspective of taking their time to make calls in other situations.

Peace

[CT1]

Anybody have a video link? It didn't make Baseball Tonight, probably because nobody got chunked.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Please do not tell me that MLB umpires like Bob Davidson is ten times better than many D1 or even HS umpires across the country because he is in the MLB ranks.

Well, he is....

JJ

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by JJ

Well, he is....

JJ

He is?

Peace

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

He is?

Peace

There are no HS-exclusive umpires that are as good as Bob Davidson, whether you love him or hate him.

Some of the D1 guys that are former pro umpires could step in at the MLB level and do fine.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by zm1283

Some of the D1 guys that are former pro umpires could step in at the MLB level and do fine.

I agree. Contrasts with the situation in the NFL, though the "replacement" refs are mostly not D1.

[LMan]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I agree. Contrasts with the situation in the NFL, though the "replacement" refs are mostly not D1.

The Lingerie League aint D1? Who knew?

[CT1]

Originally Posted by LMan

The Lingerie League aint D1? Who knew?

Some are D-36...er, 36-D.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by zm1283

There are no HS-exclusive umpires that are as good as Bob Davidson, whether you love him or hate him.

Some of the D1 guys that are former pro umpires could step in at the MLB level and do fine.

I totally disagree with that point of view. For one the level you work in baseball especially is not a reflection on your talent level in any way. There are HS only umpires that would be better than D1 guys if given the chance, but will not likely ever work that level because of availability. It is hard for many to get to a game at 1:00 in the afternoon on a week day if you have a job or family for that matter. That alone is a hindrance for many to work small college ball let alone higher level D1 ball. Secondly to be a pro umpire you have to be young enough or willing to sacrifice your life on many levels just to get that chance. I umpire that is working on their craft at other level might be just as capable to work any level if they had the time or energy to make it there. And I think there are many D1 guys that have no pro experience that could step in tomorrow and do well. I am also saying this that there would be an adjustment period to move to any level, but I do not think it would take long for many across the country to take Davidson's job and be a long time answer. What we do at the lower levels of baseball is not that drastically different than what they do at the pro level, you are just dealing with different personalities and different attitudes. But do not tell me with the attitude and the way Davidson carries himself on the field that someone could not do what he does and be perceived better.

Peace

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I totally disagree with that point of view. For one the level you work in baseball especially is not a reflection on your talent level in any way. There are HS only umpires that would be better than D1 guys if given the chance, but will not likely ever work that level because of availability. It is hard for many to get to a game at 1:00 in the afternoon on a week day if you have a job or family for that matter. That alone is a hindrance for many to work small college ball let alone higher level D1 ball. Secondly to be a pro umpire you have to be young enough or willing to sacrifice your life on many levels just to get that chance. I umpire that is working on their craft at other level might be just as capable to work any level if they had the time or energy to make it there. And I think there are many D1 guys that have no pro experience that could step in tomorrow and do well. I am also saying this that there would be an adjustment period to move to any level, but I do not think it would take long for many across the country to take Davidson's job and be a long time answer. What we do at the lower levels of baseball is not that drastically different than what they do at the pro level, you are just dealing with different personalities and different attitudes. But do not tell me with the attitude and the way Davidson carries himself on the field that someone could not do what he does and be perceived better.

Peace

I don't think it is a hard and fast rule about working at the level of your talent, but in this area at least, I don't know of many (Or any) HS-only umpires who wouldn't get eaten alive in even a D2 game.

I'm not talking about whether or not someone at the high school level or college level could work their way to MLB if they had the time/money/inclination. I agree with you that they could. There are guys working various levels of baseball that could be as good as MLB umpires if they had the time/money/etc. to do it.

I am talking about running a high school umpire out there this weekend in an MLB game compared to Bob Davidson or any other MLB umpire. It would be far worse than these guys working the NFL preseason games right now.