Umpire rule knowledge is down this year

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by DeputyUICHousto

When we give our clinics we have had umpires show up with the test already completed! I have no idea where they are getting it but they do. My personal opinion about the declining rules knowlege is that the new umpires don't care to learn. They want their game fees and then to head to the house.

That's fine by me. More tourneys will come my way!

Actually, in all seriousness, I agree, and it's not really "fine by me." These are my partners on the field, and while I try to be helpful on this board, it does me no good to have a partner that I constantly have to bail out.

I think it's more of this "right of entitlement" crap that's permeating our society. Pride in our work is diminishing, and those who do take the time to do a "good job" are seen as either corporate tight-a$$es or kiss-a$$es - almost as if they didn't get "the memo" that says, "it's uncool to do a good job."

Umpiring is no different. You have some guys who want to do the job right, and you have others who are in it solely for the paycheck and couldn't care less about doing their jobs correctly. They're completely in "survival mode" on the field, leaving those of us who care to do our jobs correctly to mop up the mess they create.

This is not to say that all paycheck umpires are evil. It is still a job, and some paycheck umps are still willing to put forth the good effort to get it done right. The only difference being that they probably couldn't care less about the game as a whole. "It's a sport, this is my game, I'm going to do it right, but it's not my life."

I'm fine with that.