Overruling myself, discreetly

[mcrowder]

Sorry, Ed, if I'm not up to your standards.

First, regarding the play - I don't understand your question. I didn't call obstruction at first, and then realized it WAS catcher's obstruction, and sent her to first.

Regarding the umpire - Yes, as UIC it's my responsibility and duty to train my umpires as well as possible. I believed I described my efforts along those lines. I'm sure this guy was ABLE to learn. However, after 3 games, he demonstrated completely that he was UNWILLING to learn. He simply wouldn't make any effort at all.

As to how I ended up with this guy on the field without training ... I have 6 guys - which is normally enough to cover my games. This particular weekend, I learned early on that I had several guys out of town. I asked the baseball UIC if he had anyone I could call that wasn't already working - and this was who he gave me. I was told he'd umpired before elsewhere, and didn't realize from the name that he was the guy I had problems with at football.

I've since learned that the baseball UIC has also stopped scheduling this guy. Basically for the same reasons, and then some. It was actually worse for them, as I'm told his cellphone rang DURING a play, and he answered it, turning away from the infield to do so.

I don't like giving up on ANYone ... as I do remember my first year (no training, no mentoring, hope you know the rules, kid). But you've got to show me a WILLINGNESS to learn.