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I can promise this: homer is a magic word. Unless the ball just passed over a fence in fair territory, someone is getting an early exit. It happened one time to me in a summer utrip tournament. I still work that tournament but haven't seen that coach for years. And just because the mentality may exist, does not mean I will abide it. Period.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EsqUmp (Post 985727)

What do you ask to be called by then?

My first name is Lou(ie) - the first several games I ever worked x number of years ago, I couldn't understand why the guys (unaffiliated Sunday league) knew my name - until a partner started laughing and pointed out they were calling me BLUE.....:p

Quote:

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA (Post 985734)

I'm talking about regular sunglasses, not script or glasses with photo-grey lens. Then again, I would like to think that wouldn't have to be something that would have to be explained..

exactly

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu (Post 985755)

Otherwise during introductions, I'm Mr. L and my partner is Mr. X. Most coaches undoubtedly forget our names about 3 minutes later. From there, "blue" or "ump" is fine.

About the only time I'll use "girls" to address team members is if it's 10U and I haven't done many of those (knocking on wood here). I do use "ladies" and hear a lot of coaches using that term as well. Coaches also use the gender-neutral (these days) "guys" when pulling the team together. And some do use "girls" as well.

I address coaches as "coach" in any HS or tournament games. In our rec leagues, because I've met with team captains and league officers in pre-season meetings and help critique/draft various bylaws drafts, it's more on a first name basis. Things are much less formal and only get formal when someone doesn't care for a particular call.

Exactly on all counts - I've worked rec ball in our area for YEARS, and nobody knows my name. The only exception is the idea I have done ASA assigning, so I know league presidents, and they know me. I cannot see how calling adolescent girls 'ladies' is condescending....

When I worked my first Armed Forces Championships, one of the first things discussed was that if you were a veteran, you don't associate with the team from your service. When going to a national, umpires should not associate with teams who which they are familiar.

When assigning umpires, UICs should avoid assigning umpires from the same area or local association. In the international game, officials from the participating teams' countries are often excluded from availability.

There is a reason for that and it is to avoid the perception of favoritism. Just because a game isn't at that magnitude doesn't mean such sentiments do not exist locally.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA (Post 985769)

...to avoid the perception of favoritism...

Perception, not actual. Running the coach who complains about homerism does not change his perception. He just takes his perception to the parking lot, and his assistant coach keeps the same perception, but keeps his mouth shut.

In a world where coaches are viewed as rats, this might be the ideal solution to the problem.

Better to avoid the perception in the first place.