NW vs. Bama and Plate Umpire!

[Blu_IN]

If that was Sally Walker, she is a very well respected ump. I unfortunately, haven't had a chance to watch any games this year with work, so I didn't even know she was working the WS. Perhaps, she just had a bad game? You hope it doesn't happen at the CSWS, but hey, it can creep on you at any time.

[orangeump]

more importantly lets talk about the four minute arguement that took place between the NW coach and the three umps.

They broke for commercial arguing and came back and it was still going! Probably around the 8th inning. line drive to LF, who catches and throws to first...what on earth could this arguement be about?!


A little PS about the First base ump in this game; I was once assigned a tourmament in Peoria, IL where she was also assigned. She got her assignment and told the UIC that she doesnt work 12 and under softball because she is "an SEC umpire" real great attitude to have. She told the UIC to move her up or she is going home; she went back to Tenn that day.

[Antonella]

Couldn’t believe my eyes… This topic is a PUBLIC one.
And some of YOU umpires express the WORST attitude an umpire may have: mud on a collegue!
No matter if he/she is a respected umpire, no matter if he/she has a top-level (difficult) game to deal with… he/she under the spot and just for this reason deserves to be put down!
It’s a shame. And I really feel ashamed for you ALL.

What I teach in training sessions here in Italy (in our small wolrd of small softball umpires) is ‘never criticize another umpire’ and ‘when you cannot say something good about him/her, simply shut up and move away’!!
On this board… well my friends, I learned a lot here…
But this time it was not good stuff…

I do not leave in a World of Dreams. I perfectly know umpires are not perfect. I can detect an umpire’s mistake if and when I see one. Even when a mistake is something only another umpire can get. I often discuss about this kind of situation with other umpires FAR AWAY from other than umpire’s ears! …but what ALL this topic as to do with this? Nothing. To me: there was someone assigned where someone else couldn’t get assigned and this someone else is feeling bad about this…

Am I wrong?

Ciao

[JEL]

Antonella,


Good post!

[Dakota]

The WCWS is a good opportunity to watch top softball umpires at work. Commenting on the umpiring of the WCWS is an annual thing here. The names of the umpires in each crew and where they were in each game is "public record."

Personally, I have no problem with us discussing their calls, game management, mechanics, etc. However, we should keep it as impersonal as possible, and some of the comments in this thread carrying the implication of umpires being assigned above their heads are inappropriate for an officials board. Let's leave that kind of stuff to eteamz. We need to give them the respect they have all earned.

[orangeump]

I agree with Dakota. The names, etc are all out there for anyone to get a hold of. We are simply using names so that we all know who we are talking about; saying "game two PU" is vague and does not offer us anything to go by.

If the mud slinging comments are directed at my Beasely story, then so be it. However, that is a 100% true story and I feel I can share that story if I feel it is right to do.

Thanks

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by orangeump

... that is a 100% true story and I feel I can share that story if I feel it is right to do.

Whether or not it was true, it was inappropriate because...

1) It added nothing to the discussion of calls, game management, or mechanics of the WCWS, and

2) Was (apparently) only intended as a personally discrediting story.

Obviously, I, for one, do NOT believe it was right to post that story.

[scottk_61]

I have just read the posts concerning the tournament and the comments about the crew.
I don't have any problem with what was said about Diane, having known her for years and having heard her say the same thing as others have heard.

This is Diane, she is a good umpire but is well known for her "unique" personality and habits.
The statement about her is factual and well known as her attitude. I personally have heard her say the same thing and even extend it to 16U.
She isn't afraid to say it or have it said about her.

I know plenty of people who still work the SEC and those who don't. It doesn't matter at all.

People who live in glass houses like us are going to get talked about be it good or bad. Recounting the "strange" things we have done or experienced is the norm.
I have had stories told about me that are factual and those that border on extreme fantasy. I still live and breathe without too many problems.
As a fraternity of specialists, we are going to talk amongst ourselves about those we know and have worked with.

Irish, SteveM, SCump VAUMP and others here know me personally and we have talked about those we have worked with or "WONT" work with.

It happens, move on!

I have worked with all of Diane's crew at one time or another in the past and they are good people. I have also seen all of them screw up at one time or anoither, just like I have.

I have called others arrogant and been called arrogant but those who hadn't worked at the levels I have, OK so be it.

There is only one umpire that works the SEC that I truly think is above reproach. I won't name him but I admire him and respect him above probably any other umpire that I have met in 28 years. If you knew him, you would know that he works his assignments that he gets without giving the UIC any flack but because he is not a self promoter, he hasn't gotten to work the CWS and probably never will.

Don't toss too much flack because someone voiced their opinion. After all I have heard things about almost all of the regurlars on this board as I am sure that have heard things about me.

Relax, breathe and move on.

[Dakota]

I don't know any of the principals involed here, but there is a huge difference between swapping yarns in the umpire tent and posting names attached to those yarns on a public internet discussion board.

[scottk_61]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I don't know any of the principals involed here, but there is a huge difference between swapping yarns in the umpire tent and posting names attached to those yarns on a public internet discussion board.

Not really,
The tent is an open foum just as this is, I have yet to work a tournament anywhere where there wasn't a notable "guest" contingtent. Some people I knew and some I didn't.

I actually laughed when I read the orignal comment about Diane, because I can hear her now, "that's right!"

I had a lot of fun with her at one tournament, a national championship no less, where she did her I am an SEC umpire thing and the UIC said, "This isn't the SEC and you are no better than (pointed to another umpire who had only ever worked one National and no college before), if you want to work this tournament then wear our uniform. We had a great time and Diane worked the championship game with the rest of the 4 ump crew.

Me thinks you doth protest too much.

[Dakota]

I am making a general point. You are saying "It's OK -it's Diane. She won't mind."

We're not even in the same book, let alone on the same page.

[scottk_61]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I am making a general point. You are saying "It's OK -it's Diane. She won't mind."

We're not even in the same book, let alone on the same page.

You are correct, we are definately not in the same book.

This is kinda like booger picking, if you go looking for trouble, it will find you.

[orangeump]

ScottK, was it an NSA tournament you worked with her?

My next point is going to be that the reason I shared this story isnt so that people stop and go "oh what a jerk for saying that about her." it is because everyone sees these games and these calls and continues to post about them (which is great). But some people continue to say "well, these guys are on ESPN and they are great umpires and great people...blah blah blah."

Is what she told that UIC a great statement? NO is it a statement that someone trying to help maybe less experienced umpires? NO

You can draw your conclusions about her umpiring ability, I have my own already made. You can also draw your own conclusions about what type of umpire makes that comment that she/he is above a certain level.

Thanks for your time and ScottK, please feel free to PM me if you dont want to answer my question in public

[tcannizzo]

I do not know any of the principals in this either, but apparently this particular umpire has no problem in making her opinions known that she is above the game and enjoys flaunting her elitist attitude.

This not mud-slinging in my book. It is merely helping her spread her own chosen words. The fact that her attititude is outrageous is what seems most bothersome. Even to the extent that just echoing her own words, made it sound like mud-slinging.

[Al]

Originally Posted by scottk_61

I have just read the posts concerning the tournament and the comments about the crew.
I don't have any problem with what was said about Diane, having known her for years and having heard her say the same thing as others have heard.

This is Diane, she is a good umpire but is well known for her "unique" personality and habits.
The statement about her is factual and well known as her attitude. I personally have heard her say the same thing and even extend it to 16U.
She isn't afraid to say it or have it said about her.

I know plenty of people who still work the SEC and those who don't. It doesn't matter at all.

People who live in glass houses like us are going to get talked about be it good or bad. Recounting the "strange" things we have done or experienced is the norm.
I have had stories told about me that are factual and those that border on extreme fantasy. I still live and breathe without too many problems.
As a fraternity of specialists, we are going to talk amongst ourselves about those we know and have worked with.

Irish, SteveM, SCump VAUMP and others here know me personally and we have talked about those we have worked with or "WONT" work with.

It happens, move on!

I have worked with all of Diane's crew at one time or another in the past and they are good people. I have also seen all of them screw up at one time or anoither, just like I have.

I have called others arrogant and been called arrogant but those who hadn't worked at the levels I have, OK so be it.

There is only one umpire that works the SEC that I truly think is above reproach. I won't name him but I admire him and respect him above probably any other umpire that I have met in 28 years. If you knew him, you would know that he works his assignments that he gets without giving the UIC any flack but because he is not a self promoter, he hasn't gotten to work the CWS and probably never will.

Don't toss too much flack because someone voiced their opinion. After all I have heard things about almost all of the regurlars on this board as I am sure that have heard things about me.

Relax, breathe and move on.

Hope all is well with you. Glad to read your posts again.

I was out of line with some of the comments I made about a few calls that were made in that very close game between NW and Bama. It appeared those calls were going to take a win away from NW and give it to Alabama so I vented some on this forum. Not that I am a fan of NW, (I'm not) but I just didn't want any team to lose on what I believed was via human error on the part of an umpire. All Umpires make mistakes and that's part of the game. Through it I learned it's better not to voice any negatives against a proven umpire. As one has already said these guys and ladies do a great job overall and if I have nothing good to say then it's best to say nothing. I'm careful not to criticize a fellow blue at a game, and I don't like it when I hear fans, coaches, or players bad mouth umpires. I started way to late in life to ever even hope to attain a fraction of the ability of any of the officials that are chosen to call the softball world series games.

Take care of yourself Scott... Hope you are doing better! Al