Mechanics

[Rich]

Originally Posted by DaveASA/FED

Well I think you will agree to disagree with most on this board. It is a sign of respect to take the glasses off and look them in the eye. Even if they don't take theirs off when they talk to us, we should be above that and take ours off and look them in the eye. I also wear glasses almost always as my contacts hate the dust, but they come off at the plate conference and anytime I am discussing something with a coach. Not for lineup changes but anytime we are having a discussion about a ruling etc.

As many of you are fond of saying, baseball and softball are different sports. I work college and HS baseball and my glasses never come off. Why should I squint at the plate meeting?

The only umpires I know who worry about those kinds of things are those who also work softball.

Any point to this thread other than ripping MLB umpires?

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Rich

Any point to this thread other than ripping MLB umpires?

Ripping weak and discourteous umpires, as a teaching moment.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Ripping weak and discourteous umpires, as a teaching moment.

Discourteous? Only to people who look for stuff like this.

I get along marvelously with coaches, despite leaving my sunglasses on my face from the moment I walk from the car until I return.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Rich

Discourteous? 1 Only to people who look for stuff like this.

2 I get along marvelously with coaches, despite leaving my sunglasses on my face from the moment I walk from the car until I return.

Yes to #1, but it happens.

Of course to #2, g. lad you don't have to run to your car.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Rich

As many of you are fond of saying, baseball and softball are different sports. I work college and HS baseball and my glasses never come off. Why should I squint at the plate meeting?

The only umpires I know who worry about those kinds of things are those who also work softball.

Any point to this thread other than ripping MLB umpires?

I would have posted this, including my opinion, regardless of the umpire, organization or level.

Remember when it was taught to annoy the coach by walking in small circles and make the coach chase if s/he wanted to "argue"? Or put your back to the sun to force the coach to look into it. I have never taught such things and would correct anyone who would bring them up in a clinic. IMO, an umpire who uses such childish tactics is classless.

AFA the sunglasses, I agree with Dave