Mechanics

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BlueDevilRef

Give me a break. Influence calls bc we are on a first name basis? And if someone has ever percieved that and tried to make it an issue, it came with a one way ticket to the parking lot. We cannot be part of the problem on this kind of stuff. Nip these kinds of issues in the bud and they won't become problems.

Happens all the time and I've seen it and heard the complaints even at a national level as an umpire and UIC. I find it hard to believe that you don't believe the "homer" mentality still isn't around the game.


You are right, nip it in the bud by not providing the fodder. That is the only way you can control perception.

[Tru_in_Blu]

I've not done HS games long enough or frequently enough to have developed relationships with the coaches. There may be 2 exceptions. One is a JV coach that I played softball with many years ago. The other is a varsity coach who also runs a couple of invitational tournaments during the summer that I've worked with. This season, I'm scheduled to only work the varsity coach's team in a scrimmage next Tuesday. Since we're supposed to get snow on Monday and have daytime high temps in the mid-30s on Tuesday, it will likely get postponed.

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.

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

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....

[IRISHMAFIA]

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.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

...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.