What I Never Want to Hear

[JRutledge]

I agree that was not the best thing to say to a participant. But the reality in games like softball/baseball is umpires will open up the strike zone a little when the game is getting out of hand. For one thing coaches in those sports are not trying to be there all day and want umpires to call strikes. But that is a different sport and I would not compare it to what we do in basketball with the clock constantly running and eventually the ending in realistic sight. Now something like the ball going in DBT is not something that should be ignored. I would also bet that this league you got a guy that is doing it for the money or he would not be out there. I do not see a slow pitch men's league as a major officiating assignment for most, so you get these kinds of attitudes even if you do not like them, so to compare what happen in this game or a basketball game are not really fair or a good comparison IMO.

Peace

[bainsey]

I agree with stiffler. I see a big difference between widening a slow-pitch strike zone and ignoring a ball out of play.

I work 50-60 slow-pitch games every summer. Rut is correct that these aren't major assignments. These gigs are for fun and to make a little extra scratch. Still, you have a job to do, and your integrity will be judged, regardless of the level.

If the ball goes out of play, give 'em their bases, period. No-one could possibly think the lesser of you for that.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by bainsey

Rut is correct that these aren't major assignments. These gigs are for fun and to make a little extra scratch. Still, you have a job to do, and your integrity will be judged, regardless of the level.

I do agree, but when I worked those games several years ago, most of the guys were going through the motions and did not care about specific rules or the games themselves. Now usually this kind of thing was not an issue, but I can tell you guys did not lose sleep over not hustling or not being dressed properly. It was a money grab for most plain and simple. And even if they did a bad job, no one was firing them as they would be there for those games to make that money. This is why I would not compare this to even a JH basketball game. It is more like a Men's league basketball game and you get the same attitudes there. It might be sad, but often true.

Peace