18U Gold in Mairetta, GA

Originally posted by Elaine "Lady Blue"
I'm anxious to hear comments from Sergio and Scott.
So, what are you waiting on fellows??

Well, my wife and I just got back to Tidewater VA this morning at around 3AM. We were planning on leaving Marietta around 7 or 8 in the morning yesterday (Sunday), but I was totally surprised at Saturday nite's umpires party when I was selected as one of nine umpires to work on Sunday. I had the pleasure and honor of working the loser's bracket final.

As for our hosts, what can I say. Even though this is only my second nationals, I have never been treated as good as the Cobb County people treated us. They made sure we were very well fed, and taken care of, both on and off the fields. My hats off to not only Cobb County Parks and Recreation people, but to the local umpires who were on hand to help in taking care of us. Outstanding job!

I was also very excited in meeting other great umpires! I learned alot this past week. The great thing is the friendships that were built. Everybody there was more than happy to help everybody else.

Finally, it was truly a great pleasure to work with our Tournament UIC, Jim Craig and Assistant UIC, Carl Monroe. They are truly outstanding people. I sure would hate to have being in Jim's shoes, as he had to cut the list of umpires from 48 great umpires to 24 for Saturday, and then to 9 for the finals on Sunday.

Again, thank you guys in Cobb County, fellow tournament umpires, and you guys here on this board. There were some situations that came up that I remembered from this board, and boy did a smile come to my face when I said, "I've got this one."

Oh yeah, almost forgot. I did enjoy meeting fellow "online blues" there, like Elaine (LadyBlue), Scott, "bagman" and others.

OK Scott, your turn!
Serg

[Bandit]

Goldcoastump, I have to support "Elaine, Lady Blue" here on the comments she made. Elaine made no mention by name of the umpires she felt did not belong at the "Gold" level. We all know that politics unfortunetly are very much part of the real umpiring world and if you don't believe they are I have to think that your head is in the sand. See no evil, hear no evil, say no evil ???. Sometimes it's only our friends who can say the things needed to other friends before they step back and take a look at themselves ? It's very discouraging also when I have friends and fellow umpires go to Nationals deserving very much so to work Sunday's and don't get the chance because of the "home town" umpires.

I don't believe any "hometown umps" made it to Sunday. Only two women umpires in the tournament and they made it to the Semi and Final Game. This is what seems unfair to me. Though that is not to say that both of these ladies were not outstanding umpires, they were, but it is discouraging when this happens in every female FP tournament I go to. I would like to add here that both of these ladies were great umpires and I don't mean anything personal toward them. Sergio made it to the losers bracket final and he deserved it (Congrad's). I had the pleasure of working with him the first day.

[Edited by goldcoastump on Aug 16th, 2004 at 10:52 AM]

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by goldcoastump
Elaine, I don't understand why you would come on this forum and throw down on your so-called fellow umpires. I was an umpire at the Gold and "yes" there were a few guys who were not that strong, but it's not good to be running folks down when we as umpires are our only friends. Over-all everybody did a pretty good job. By the way, congrad's to Serg for making it to Sunday.

[Edited by goldcoastump on Aug 16th, 2004 at 09:08 AM]

From what I understand, half the umpires didn't see Saturday.

I can appreciate what Elaine is stating. I've been to tournaments when you wonder how one of the umpire ever got to that level.

Although they may be friends, when you're on that field, you need an umpire who knows their stuff and not let you hang out to dry. Been there, have had that done to me and the worse part is that when one umpire screws up, it is often the umpire who breaks from the mechanics trying to cover a play that looks bad. And that is not a good thing, expecially at a National.

[azbigdawg]

Mike.. I hear you..I worked a national 3 years ago where neither of the two umpires I was crewed with for 2 days had ever worked 3 man mechanics. I spent the entire time teaching and covering them.., but several mistakes were made. I got an early Sunday game...and they got nothing.

[FUBLUE]

Well...I worked a national 4 years ago where my partners(!) didn't know the three person system. I had the plate every time I worked with the (three times in two days). I ended up getting caught trying to direct traffic and cover for them (Bases loaded, two out, ball hit to outfield and both go out) and had to call a play at second that was the third out and then had to explain to coach that runner wasn't across the plate from my angle when tag-play happened at second). Guess who worked Sunday...yep, both them. Guess who didn't? Yep, me.

[Elaine "Lady Blue"]

GoldCoast,

I only tell the plain truth, and I always have. Umpires are NOT my only friends. I am a former coach & had 2 daughters play from 1980-2003. I've seen more ball, played more ball, coached more ball and umpired all forms of ball probably than you.
I just feel as an umpire and parent that 18U GOLD should have the very best umpires in JO ball, and that wasn't the case. I'm sorry you don't see my point of view. Yes, you and I know who each other are, but you don't KNOW me. Overall, the umpires I saw work did a good job, but I still feel a few shouldn't have been there.
I love this game and always will, I don't like the politics involved and never will. However, it's not my call who umpires a certain tournament or not, but it is my call whether I would want to work with certain blues, and there are some I prefer NOT to go on a field with.
BTW, I'm not throwing down! If I did, you would know it.

[azbigdawg]

fublue..my point was that I ONLY got an early sunday game because we were graded poorly as a crew.

Elaine,
I didn't mean any to sound so harse, but some of your comments caught me off guard. I have called with you before and I know you know the game. (Greg Barfield) I just did not see the bad officiating you spoke of, of course I did not do much spectating as we were one on one off all day. Every game I watched I saw someone break coverage at least once, even the best umpires. You develope a kinship with your crewmates and even though I thought 2 or 3 of them should not have called that level ball I still tried to respect them. You are right not everyone is prepared to call that high intensity ball, and it was intense. Every call you make is under pressure, but thats why I love this game.

Again no disrespect,
Greg

[FUBLUE]

Originally posted by azbigdawg
fublue..my point was that I ONLY got an early sunday game because we were graded poorly as a crew.

I understand that. It's a falacy of getting graded as a crew. It's stupid to grade that way.

[Bandit]

Elaine, Chill with the Caps. Your taking these forums/comments far to personal. No one is questioning your experience, your opinions or love of the game. I think that goldcoastump when mentioning "friends" was speaking of when we are on this forum or on the field. Not speaking for goldcoastump but merely giving my view of his comments or at least how I took them. Speaking of politics you made an interesting comment that you dont like them (99% of us don't) but yet though you state " I did sign up for next year with our Atlanta UIC to help our Metro numbers whether I call or not". Isn't this sorta "playing the politics game" ? I smile while I type this because we all get sucked into the "politics" in some small way. While I Type I also want to CONGRADULATE" the Indiana Umpire who worked the Championship game on first base. NICE JOB TONY !!!!

[whiskers_ump]

OK, I will stay out of all the "rating of umpires".

I would like to know if any of you attending and taking
part in the tournament got an opportunity to call a game
in which the Beaumont Blast Gold competed and how they
looked.

Thanks.

Sorry Whiskers,

I did not see the Blast Gold. I am not sure but I think that they got knocked out early. In this tournament getting knocked out early is not a bad thing. Just getting there is an accomplishment.