I've Seen It All!!

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by Andy

(rant on)

Watching some of these games and seeing these types of umpires out there just irritates the h*ll out of me! I work hard and put in a great deal of time studying the rules, attending clinics, making sure my uniform looks good, and trying to be a better umpire. When the majority of people see these guys on the field, it's no wonder that the opinion of umpires is so low. Unfortunately, with all of the rec leagues, church leagues, etc., out there, there are far more of the "backward hat and work boots" umpires than those of us that take it seriously and strive to be the best at what we do!

(rant off)

AMEN. 'nuff said but the board sez the message must be at least 10 characters long.

[azbigdawg]

Im gonna rant a little more.....first of all....ditto to what Andy said.... I also think that there is NEVER an excuse to wear shorts while working FP. (Or SP for that matter.) Yup....I said it..NEVER.... You should match your partners uniform, and trust me..a FP plate umpire wearing shorts and protective gear looks like a clown (In my humble opinion.) I see WAY too many umpires at non ASA tournaments (sorry) that look like they dont give a crap. I know we cant influence every church league and rec league, but if you are working a sanctioned tournament..your dress should be right up there with your rules knoweldge and mechanics. If you look professional, you and your decisions are much more likely to be respected.

[mcrowder]

az - normally I agree with you 100%. And with you being from AZ, I'm sure you have some experience with those 100 degree days (although I WILL say that 100 degrees and 5% humidity is hot - but 100 degrees and 95% humidity is downright awful).

But this is an exception to the rule - and we WILL match each other, with nice navy blue docker-style shorts (not tattered or old) with creases. And we wouldn't have even considered it except for the fact that due to shorthandedness, the umpire working the LEAST among us will be working for at least 6 hours, with most of us working 10, and one of us (me! yeah!) working 12.

Other than this one weekend, we are a professional looking group 100% of the time. It irks me when I see 2 of my guys looking sharp, and then look over at the adjoining baseball field and see the base umpire in ratty bluejeans and flipflops, sometimes with, sometimes without a hat. I don't think it's too horrible a sin to make this small concession to the elements on this one weekend.

And yeah, I agree it looks a little odd to wear shinguards over bare legs. But it is what it is.

[milkmandog]

Since, I only wear a mask and steel toed shoes behind the plate, I don't look at all stupid in shorts. I wear either pleated dockers style shorts or coaches shorts, If I wear shin protection I wear soccer shin guards under my socks.

[CecilOne]

I've never been convinced that shorts are cooler than light weight slacks, especially if knee socks are required with the shorts.

BTW, for those who never know which to wear, several manufacturers now make slacks with a zipper to remove the lower part.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by milkmandog

Since, I only wear a mask and steel toed shoes behind the plate, I don't look at all stupid in shorts. I wear either pleated dockers style shorts or coaches shorts, If I wear shin protection I wear soccer shin guards under my socks.

I hope you only do slowpitch or 10U.

[milkmandog]

I do all levels up to high school. My fellow TX umpires can attest to seeing me do pony, colt and palomino games.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by milkmandog

I do all levels up to high school. My fellow TX umpires can attest to seeing me do pony, colt and palomino games.

No offense meant here, but this doesn't make you a tough guy. It makes you foolish. A fastball at any level you mention there can break a collarbone or rib, and a shot right on the sternum CAN stop a heart. You're just asking for a problem. 3-4 shots a year is low, so if you're not bailing on fouls, you're EXTREMELY lucky, but even at that low rate, why take the abuse?

[JFA67]

Originally Posted by milkmandog

Since, I only wear a mask and steel toed shoes behind the plate, I don't look at all stupid in shorts. I wear either pleated dockers style shorts or coaches shorts, If I wear shin protection I wear soccer shin guards under my socks.

No Cup??
I hope you never take a foul ball off your knee cap or collar bone.
Most umps I have seen with this minamal protective equipment hide behind the catcher and bail out often. Some are extremely brave/tough and actually work the slot.
HS Varsity pitchers around here throw 60MPH. I am just not that brave.

[milkmandog]

I'm sorry I didn't mention the cup, I work the slot in a modified Gerry Davis stance. I never bailout. I have taken a few shots on my chest. Usually less than 3-4 a year. The most pain I have had is forgetting to wear steel toes and taking a shot on the end of the shoe. Most foul balls go over the head, it is usually missed balls that hit me anywhere else. I have seen one or two guys in my area try to go without a cp after watching me and flinching on every pitch. I tell them if they can't stay put wear the CP. It seems to me there are a bunch of umps hiding behind the catcher while wearing full armorment. The other thing I have noticed is if the catcher and pitcher are no good You get hit, but the ball is traveling with little velocity, if the pitcher is throwing heat the catcher is usally catching heat.

[JFA67]

The worst shots I have taken are fouls when the catcher shifts outside at the last minute, the pitcher misses a little inside and the batter fouls it straight back. It only happens once every few years, but I can't imagine taking that shot in the sternum or collar bone with out the CP.
You are right about umps in full gear hiding behind the catcher!

[azbigdawg]

Originally Posted by milkmandog

Since, I only wear a mask and steel toed shoes behind the plate, I don't look at all stupid in shorts. I wear either pleated dockers style shorts or coaches shorts, If I wear shin protection I wear soccer shin guards under my socks.

If you dont think you might look a little unprofessional..there is probably nothing I could say that would convince you to consider that you do. If you are one of the FEW in your area that does it..why do you think that is? If a LOT of you do it..... oh well....... Also... No chest protector? what level ball are you calling?..never mind...we had an umpire here last year take a 12u pitch OFF THE GROUND onto his collarbone and break it....consider wearing one.........

[milkmandog]

If ASA can approve shorts and shirts with hats, socks and belt, shoes, Why can't they be worn. How would that make you look unprofessional? I see more unprofessional looking umps in long pants then I ever look, Their pants are too small for the enormous girth around their waist. Or everything fits, but they still have that huge pot over their belt. That is unprofessional, yet the majority of my fellows in blue are too lazy to run or walk and too undisciplined to push away from the table. It also seems the vast majority of my fellow umpires spend less time reading the rule books then the coaches. I know I'm not speaking of most of us on this board.. But it seems I am working almost all my games alone even when I have a partner. The sad thing is when I work with these idiots and they make a bonehead call, and since I don't throw them under the bus, it makes me look as stupid as they are, so I tell them to make the obvious calls and I will make the close ones. If some 3rd world play occurs I have to work over time covering them. I work the majority of the games behind the plate as it seems they like to call strikes for pitches that sometimes bounce over the plate. when I try to correct their stances and giv ethem instruction on tracking pitches they say they could see it better when they hid behind the catcher and almost sat on the ground getting low., which is why they are calling shin level pitches strikes anyway, Waht really infuriates me is they get the same check I get when it is all said and done. Oh well rant over.

The real shame is, in our little corner of nort san antonio we have about 4qualified umpires to cover 16 fields anight, so we have to deal with the guys that just come out for a part time job, which is why this may be my last year to call baseball or softball.

[mcrowder]

AZ, looks like you were right.

[azbigdawg]

Originally Posted by milkmandog

If ASA can approve shorts and shirts with hats, socks and belt, shoes, Why can't they be worn. How would that make you look unprofessional? I see more unprofessional looking umps in long pants then I ever look, Their pants are too small for the enormous girth around their waist. Or everything fits, but they still have that huge pot over their belt. That is unprofessional, yet the majority of my fellows in blue are too lazy to run or walk and too undisciplined to push away from the table. It also seems the vast majority of my fellow umpires spend less time reading the rule books then the coaches. I know I'm not speaking of most of us on this board.. But it seems I am working almost all my games alone even when I have a partner. The sad thing is when I work with these idiots and they make a bonehead call, and since I don't throw them under the bus, it makes me look as stupid as they are, so I tell them to make the obvious calls and I will make the close ones. If some 3rd world play occurs I have to work over time covering them. I work the majority of the games behind the plate as it seems they like to call strikes for pitches that sometimes bounce over the plate. when I try to correct their stances and giv ethem instruction on tracking pitches they say they could see it better when they hid behind the catcher and almost sat on the ground getting low., which is why they are calling shin level pitches strikes anyway, Waht really infuriates me is they get the same check I get when it is all said and done. Oh well rant over.

The real shame is, in our little corner of nort san antonio we have about 4qualified umpires to cover 16 fields anight, so we have to deal with the guys that just come out for a part time job, which is why this may be my last year to call baseball or softball.

How many others in your area wear that outfit? And do you ever give thought that your appearance and uniform might be one of the reasons they dont take your advice seriously? Uniform is only ONE part of being a good umpire, but uniform relfects attitude.

And San Antonio explains a few things....