I love this board. I am not doing ball this year because of work related issues but I love this board. I am thankful for people who know the rules and who love the game. I am thankful for a couple of the scoldings I have received here because they taught me to think before I post and to know the rules before I walk on the field. I am also thankful that I had the support of the other umpires on this board after my first ejection. Let's just remember that many sits are HTBT and even if we were there, we have different eyes. BUT, the rules stay the same and the interps need to be consistent. You guys are great and did I mention that I love this board?

I'm glad this topic was posted, these type of issues were addressed, and so many of the responses have been positive.

I do believe it's significant that some people have chosen not to reply to this thread at all, neither pro, nor con, or indifferent. I think that those members either believe that this is a non-issue, a worthless thread (but don't have the guts to say that) or that they, themselves, are above reproach on any level. It's too bad for all then, 'cause they probably won't change the manner in how they treat others here.

Let's see.... this thread took less than a half day to diverge into defensiveness, about a day for someone to bring up something stupid someone said in the past, and for that writing to be denied because the post had since been erased, and now, a page later, you are standing in judgment on those who did not reply in this thread? Do you understand the term pharisaic?

Ummm, pharisaic?
Is that the opposite of phariaseic?
You know, fair/foul..........:confused:
ohhh, excuse me. never mind...............:D

Yeah a day and a half - big deal. Those I'm talking about wait about a minute and a half after someone posts a question to go after them. So if they haven't chimed in (as they have on other threads posted after one began), I'd bet that they won't ever touch this one.

As someone who probably gets more than a few :rolleyes: for some of my questions, I appreciate that no one has publicly ridiculed me (I'm not counting Wade referring to me as overly officious on the calling time topic :p ). As a third year umpire, I am extremely grateful that some of you guys answer my questions, and I understand the reason some of the regulars always seem to ignore them. I do love this game. Even though I'm relatively new to umpiring, I spent fourteen years coaching baseball and fast pitch softball. It's funny that when I was coaching, I always thought I was fairly knowledgeable about the rules, but once I turned to umpiring I quickly realized just how ignorant I truly am.

Basically I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone again for helping me to become a better umpire.

We very frequently have local players do the changeover from player to official. After about 6 months, I usually ask them, "whole different game, isn't it?" The resounding response has been "oh GOD yes." Your experience, BKB, is not uncommon, and good for you for sticking with it after two full years. :)

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the folks on this board for your "good attitude and courtesy" in allowing me (a non-official) to participate. I have learned a lot here and have lots more to learn.

Coming from a "player" background (D1/NAIA Collegiate catcher - member of ASA Nat. champ. team)....I think I bring a sometimes unique perspective to some situations.

ONE thing I've learned in my years of umpiring (10+, now) is that we're there because of THEM....and not the opposite.

It's OUR field.....but it's THEIR game......and we need to stay out of their way at EVERY opportunity.

I used to post here a LOT. Then.....(and I've experienced it, just today) the nit-picking of questions got to be a downer.....and it became unimportant for me to ask questions of my "peers".

Sad.

In the other thread, those two were just joking. They were encouraging all to laugh along with them. Why is that sad? This is a place where we can all relax and once in a while vent, but also let loose and play a little.

To address the rest of your post, I agree with much of what you said, except that it is also their field. I am just a part of it. I am kidded by others I work with as having a Zen approach to umpiring. I hate anything that interrupts the flow of the game that the players have set, and I feel I have done my best job when no one even knows I was there.

Common ground.

The other thread we speak of......continues down its' rosy path :rolleyes:

And I hate this adage(?) :) There is no reason for an official to be invisible. Too many umpires try to live by this credo by being GAGAs and that makes a weak umpire.

There is nothing wrong with being noticed for doing one's job. That does not mean an umpire should seek recognition, that will come when earned.

Scott is correct, it is not our field, our game and not even our rules. Umpires are the facilitators of the application of the rules under which the teams agreed to play. Umpires are the controllers of the game. Umpires are icons of fair play and application of the rules. Our mere presence should give the teams a nice, warm feeling of confidence. Okay, I've gone just a bit too far on that one :D

Nonetheless, there is nothing wrong with people knowing you are there, but why they are aware that you are there.

If I may expand on your post, Mike,

Umpires are analogous to judges (or justices). Much of what you say about good umpires applies to good judges. The best of them know the rules/laws, apply them fairly and strongly, and win or lose, leave the participants on both sides knowing they got a fair shake. The worst of them don't know the rules/laws, apply them poorly, and can be more concerned with enhancing their own image by hiding their mistakes or interjecting their own opinions of how things should be than with simply applying the rules/laws as written.

You and some of the other guys here are working to create more of the former and less of the latter.

You would probably make a fine Supreme Court Justice.

Hustle. You forgot to mention that good judges hustle. And know all of the angles...:D