Illegal pitch mechanic

[fiasco]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

I'm going to chime in here a little. I'll be 100% honest when I tell you that my initial reaction to your first postings on here were that of, well, a troll. I'm not saying that's what you are, but that's just how you came across. If you want to change that perception, just stick around, be open-minded to what people say, and just be honest with us and yourself. We're here to help each other.

Bear in mind that umpires, generally-speaking, are naturally an apprehensive bunch. We don't trust outsiders very quickly, mainly because we catch a lot of sh1t. We protect our own. If you're new here, we welcome you. Just don't expect the free backrubs to start right away. You've gotta earn those (see skahtboi down the hall).

Oh, and take nothing of what Mike says personally. He's just brutally honest with you, and most people just aren't used to it at first. But trust me, he's not an evil or ill person, and he devotes more time in a week helping other umpires than most people dedicate in a year.

If you really want to advance, this is, without a doubt, the forum where you want to be. You will absolutely, positively get the definitive answers for rule interpretations here. Stick around, relax, and pay attention.

However, the most important thing to stress is honesty, both with us and, most importantly, with yourself. The forum is like the field: if you lie, you will get caught, and your integrity will forever be shot. If you're honest with us and with yourself, you'll learn more than you thought possible.

I understand the apprehension you feel. I'm not a newbie to officiating. I will start my seventh year of basketball officiating in September.

I am a newbie to softball, though. I can understand how the "tag without the ball" came across as trollish. I was honestly, and without guile, trying to play devil's advocate because I didn't fully understand the rule (since it's written so poorly).

I will, however, say that I've never agreed with the "don't take it personally" meme. I had a guy in a game last night who was arguing balls and strikes with me and then came up to bat the next inning and told me "hey, I'm just riding you a bit, don't take it personally." I called him out in the middle of the inning. I said, "When you speak to someone, you automatically make it personal. Don't absolve yourself of the responsibility of treating someone with respect by encouraging them not to "take" it personal when you were the one who "made" it personal."