I've Seen It All!!

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by milkmandog

...and the only when working 10 and under, ...

I'm staying out of the "shorts don't look professional" discussion - at least this time around.

But, heck, guy, I get hit more at 10U than any other age level. Sure, the pitches are not 65 mph, but the "foul tips" still hurt, and I can't imagine calling a FP game at any level without shin guards. I'm not into pain, no matter how temporary.

[milkmandog]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I'm staying out of the "shorts don't look professional" discussion - at least this time around.

But, heck, guy, I get hit more at 10U than any other age level. Sure, the pitches are not 65 mph, but the "foul tips" still hurt, and I can't imagine calling a FP game at any level without shin guards. I'm not into pain, no matter how temporary.

ok I'll be a real smart ***, how do you get hit by a foul tip?

[mcrowder]

Quotes and smiley apparently lost on this one...

[milkmandog]

So if I concede the point on shorts, How do you feel about out of shape overweight officials?

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by milkmandog

So if I concede the point on shorts, How do you feel about out of shape overweight officials?

I think they are great and are some of my favorite people !!

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by milkmandog

So if I concede the point on shorts, How do you feel about out of shape overweight officials?

I work softball, baseball, and football. I would say that locally I have only really worked with one softball umpire that I would consider significantly overweight - and he buys clothes that fit and busts his hump to get in position. He's very knowledgeable and fun to work with. OTOH, I would have a problem with a sloppily dressed umpire (whether overweight or not), and I would have a problem with a lazy umpire (whether overweight or not).

In football, however, we seem to have more than our fair share of plus-size officials. Some of them hustle, look good, and do their job well. Some of them don't. I do have a problem with those that don't, although again I would say I have the same problem with "in-shape" officials that look crappy or don't get into position.

Perhaps in your locale, you just have more than your fair share of overweight guys, and those guys also happen to be either lazy, sloppy, or both. I have no problem with you focusing some ire on their laziness or sloppiness. I'm not sure I agree with the bitterness solely directed to their eating habits though.

[milkmandog]

Again I apologize for my bitterness, it comes from a couple of seasons of working with these clowns that are fat, slow, lazy , unlearned and unkempt. I joined the high school association to work with the proffesional guys and found the same guys there for the most part, maybe we are handicapped by the fact that San Antonio is considered one of the fattest cities in the world. Any way I got to polish the shoes and shave the face for a double header tonight with a guy that will probably be wearing track shoes, dickies and have a strike zone that is everywhere but in the zone

[JEL]

Originally Posted by milkmandog

So if I concede the point on shorts, How do you feel about out of shape overweight officials?

Well, I am one! I like me! My wife is one! I like her! Worked with another tonight! I like her! Watched a MLB game this afternoon, saw a couple there too. I like them. Watched Miami vs Ga Tech tonight, saw at least one big guy there. I like him too. All were very professional in appearance and practice.


My wife and I called an NCAA game earlier this year, and went out to eat afterwards. Us fat folks gotta keep shoveling it in you know. While eating, in walks one of the catchers from the game, with her family and a couple of teammates. This young lady is rather rotund, perhaps more so than I and the mrs combined! Her shirt caught my eye, on the front it said "I AM IN SHAPE" and on the back was "ROUND IS A SHAPE". And yes she was an awesome player.

milkmandog; You may look fine to yourself, but from what I've seen of you...........

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by milkmandog

So if I concede the point on shorts, How do you feel about out of shape overweight officials?

I have resisted the urge all day to respond to this and other statements, because I generally detest prejudice. But that's what it is, and I will respond anyway.

I have seen it and been subjected to it. I would definitely fit in the "round" category. Mine is a long story and I won't bore you with everything...I need to write a book ... because you obviously don't give a rat's ***. You just see a "fat guy" and think we can't do our job, et cetera et cetera.

Trust me, I know and have heard all the et ceteras. Let's see, what have I run into ...

"Can't put you on that game. It's appearances, ya know? You understand, right." Of course, I just shake my head.

"Can't put you out there on the field with him/her. Him/her thinks you can't pull your load. I know you can, but him/her did (high level TV tournament) and I respect his/her wishes."

On and on and on. There's more, but I will spare you. Of course the fact that I am one hell of an umpire, that I go out of my way to be sure my shirts and pants and shoes and hats and ball bags and brushes and indicators and lineup card holders and pencils and socks and McDavids (yes, they do make them in my size) are in excellent order (because they are supposed to be - it's call uniform for a reason), that I can get to where I need to be EVERY time (and get there surprisingly quickly) doesn't make a bit of difference to folks like you because of one thing: prejudice.

Good umpires come in all shapes and sizes - and so do not so good umpires. Being HWP doesn't make one a good umpire. Hell, it doesn't even mean good health. A good friend of mine had a big scare recently. He's 6-1 and about 180, doesn't drink, doesn't smoke. He was a walking heart attack because his cholesterol was over 500.

Some might say, fine, exercise, do whatever, lose it. Wish I could. I was the white hat (referee for those who aren't football officials) in a game about 15 years ago in TX...opening game of the season, two good 5A teams. Got hurt. Saw a quack in the ER. Gave me some medicine and a prescription for same. Turns out we had a little toxic shock deal that ruined me...plus almost lost my leg. Another quack put me on the wrong kind of steroids. Next thing you know I look like Alvin the chipmunk. Oh, did I mention the eight skin grafts and the other surgeries?

I will never get my old body back, but I did work HARD for YEARS to get back to where I can umpire. Of course I will never set foot on an NCAA field. Hell, maybe never another national, or regional, or a HS playoff game Who knows? I might get hit by the beer truck on the way to the 7-11 for a Slurpee, three bags of chips and a couple ice creams (did I leave anything out?). Of course, never will I escape the stereotypes and prejudices.

But you know something else? I will NEVER let folks like you prevent me from having fun out there on the diamond with an avocation I love.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by milkmandog

How do you feel about out of shape overweight officials?

Bottom line is, some of those officials you deem to be overweight and out shape, may be physically in better shape than you are.

I go to the gym faithfully, 4-6 times a week. I do weight training and aerobic training. I run 5 miles in an hour 3-4 times a week. I don't eat all that much. Yet at 6'2", I am still unable to break that 220 barrier, and even with all the crunches that I do, I still have a noticeable gut. I am no where near out of shape, but the shape that genetics deems "in shape" for me, is not the "ideal" shape to be in.

So, your prejudices sometimes bely other aspects of your character. Not saying that it is true in your case, just "food" for thought.