Good luck or not?

[bainsey]

"Question anything you like, as long as you're civil about it. Let's have some fun."

[jophyal]

i remind them that is their game and we are there to let them run... lets go.

[GoodwillRef]

Originally Posted by bainsey

"Question anything you like, as long as you're civil about it. Let's have some fun."

Question anything you like...not saying that!

[BEAREF]

I tell them to remember that it is a game so enjoy the opportunity to have fun and that win or lose the sun will come up tomorrow

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BEAREF

I tell them to remember that it is a game so enjoy the opportunity to have fun and that win or lose the sun will come up tomorrow

Do you break into song?

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Do you break into song?

Nah, he can't hit the high C.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Do you break into song?

Bet yer bottom dollar!

[reffish]

I have added to captain's meeting, in addition to the coach's meeting, that I do not want to hear complaining, just questions about any about calls or non-calls. This seems to keep the useless chatter away or down. Oh and be nice a la Roadhouse. Heard that from camp in AZ. Works great.

[JRutledge]

I think many here worry waaaaaaayyyyyyy tooooooo much about what others think of them. We are human beings first. If someone wants to make an issue out of that kind of interaction, this is their paranoid problem.

And for shaking kids hands, why not shake their hand? They are showing sportsmanship like we claim they are supposed to do. We are not adversaries; we are playing a role in a game. What is the big deal? And when kids have seen you over and over and over again, I am not going to treat them like I do not know them. In my case I might see the same kid in a college game and they will remember me. I care about these kids as people, not just some player that I will never see again. I take my job as an official very seriously, but I am a human first and foremost before everything.

Peace

[tref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

And for shaking kids hands, why not shake their hand? They are showing sportsmanship like we claim they are supposed to do. We are not adversaries; we are playing a role in a game. What is the big deal? And when kids have seen you over and over and over again, I am not going to treat them like I do not know them. In my case I might see the same kid in a college game and they will remember me. I care about these kids as people, not just some player that I will never see again. I take my job as an official very seriously, but I am a human first and foremost before everything.

Peace

+1

I dont see why so many guys hate doing it so much!
I've seen it avoided 3 different ways:

1. Stay opposite until intros are complete (theres a chance they will run 50 feet to give you some love anyway).

2. Aftet the Anthem plays Umpires run to the block & R goes opposite (the seperation may deter them from showing you some love).

3. Just go behind the table & begin stretching.

IMO none of the above promote good sportsmanship

[Adam]

I don't see anything particularly compelling either way with this. I don't seek it out, but I don't balk at it either. It's the same as the kids shaking my hand after the game.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I don't see anything particularly compelling either way with this. I don't seek it out, but I don't balk at it either. It's the same as the kids shaking my hand after the game.

I am not advocating going out of your way to shake hands. I am just wondering what is the big deal?

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

It's the same as the kids shaking my hand after the game.

Do you officiate in Massachusetts?

[dsqrddgd909]

Originally Posted by jrutledge

i think many here worry waaaaaaayyyyyyy tooooooo much about what others think of them. We are human beings first. If someone wants to make an issue out of that kind of interaction, this is their paranoid problem.

And for shaking kids hands, why not shake their hand? They are showing sportsmanship like we claim they are supposed to do. We are not adversaries; we are playing a role in a game. What is the big deal? And when kids have seen you over and over and over again, i am not going to treat them like i do not know them. In my case i might see the same kid in a college game and they will remember me. I care about these kids as people, not just some player that i will never see again. I take my job as an official very seriously, but i am a human first and foremost before everything.

Peace

imo +12

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

And for shaking kids hands, why not shake their hand? They are showing sportsmanship like we claim they are supposed to do. We are not adversaries; we are playing a role in a game. What is the big deal? And when kids have seen you over and over and over again, I am not going to treat them like I do not know them. In my case I might see the same kid in a college game and they will remember me. I care about these kids as people, not just some player that I will never see again. I take my job as an official very seriously, but I am a human first and foremost before everything.

Peace

Agree completely. I think it is a sign of respect for a player to offer a hand shake or fist bump. I'm not going to pull the ol' Smitty Little League ump move and get in line behind the players to shakes hands but I'm not going to run away from it either.