This Ranks Right Up (or is it down?)There.....

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

For the sake of defending some that might have different reasons, how about this as a legit reason: His daughter is now playing age and is dedicated to his family? Same reason some say, "I used to play golf on Saturdays". Having been on both sides of the ball, I agree completely that telling me you used to be an umpire, doesn't help you with me.

And umpiring stops you from being dedicated to the family? That money one earns could very well be the difference in the daughter (who is there is an athletic scholarship, it will most likely be partial) attending the preferred or another college. Or fund college for the other offspring that isn't athletically inclined to get into a decent school.

Just because your child is playing ball does not mean one needs to stop umpiring. There are other games out there besides her team's or league's. Not only does is earn a little extra money, it also keeps the individual in the game, aware of the "real" rules and interpretations and, in some instances, makes one feel more useful as an observer or coach when involved in DD's games.

My point is that one should try to keep a hand in it even if doing nothing more than attending clinics and working a friendly or two, maybe even some SP where you will learn what it is really like to hustle.

[argodad]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And umpiring stops you from being dedicated to the family? That money one earns could very well be the difference in the daughter (who is there is an athletic scholarship, it will most likely be partial) attending the preferred or another college. Or fund college for the other offspring that isn't athletically inclined to get into a decent school.

Just because your child is playing ball does not mean one needs to stop umpiring. There are other games out there besides her team's or league's. Not only does is earn a little extra money, it also keeps the individual in the game, aware of the "real" rules and interpretations and, in some instances, makes one feel more useful as an observer or coach when involved in DD's games.

My point is that one should try to keep a hand in it even if doing nothing more than attending clinics and working a friendly or two, maybe even some SP where you will learn what it is really like to hustle.

Not to speak for Tony, but I also virtually stopped umpiring while DD was playing HS and summer ball. I kept the skills up by working practice situations and friendly scrimmages. But those summer weekends on the road were worth more to me than money. Once she started college ball I increased my HS and college schedule (around her college schedule) and went back to summer ball.

[MDUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And umpiring stops you from being dedicated to the family? That money one earns could very well be the difference in the daughter (who is there is an athletic scholarship, it will most likely be partial) attending the preferred or another college. Or fund college for the other offspring that isn't athletically inclined to get into a decent school.

Just because your child is playing ball does not mean one needs to stop umpiring. There are other games out there besides her team's or league's. Not only does is earn a little extra money, it also keeps the individual in the game, aware of the "real" rules and interpretations and, in some instances, makes one feel more useful as an observer or coach when involved in DD's games.

My point is that one should try to keep a hand in it even if doing nothing more than attending clinics and working a friendly or two, maybe even some SP where you will learn what it is really like to hustle.

Some of us, believe it or not, enjoy watching our kids play.

I still attend the clinics in the Winter. I still take the high school test every year. I just don't want to miss my daughter playing.

For the record, I do SP two nights a week when her schedule allows it.

[tcannizzo]

Sure, you can be a dedicated parent with a kid playing and still umpire.
In the context of coach saying, "I used to umpire"...
It is hard to coach a team and also have time for umpiring.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by MDUmp

Some of us, believe it or not, enjoy watching our kids play.

Standard defensive FP parent response. Where did I suggest anyone not watch their kids play? I love it when people respond to something that was never offered.

I still attend the clinics in the Winter. I still take the high school test every year. I just don't want to miss my daughter playing.

For the record, I do SP two nights a week when her schedule allows it.

See, my point exactly. You can still keep your hand in the officiating side of the game and that means you still are an umpire.

However, to get back to my original statement, I'll stand by the reasons why people who try to justify their rationale by declaring their previous endeavor have left the vocation.

An umpire who coaches and knows what it is like to be an umpire wouldn't make such a declaration.

[HugoTafurst]

My $.02 since we got off on this "I used to Umpire" tangent.

It seems to me that when I have gotten this comment it is from someone who maybe did "used to umpire" but never really reached the stage where he actually was an umpire.

What I mean by that is, if I ever found myself in a coaching position and was going out to discuss something with an umpire, although I certainly would use my knowledge of the rules in the discussion, I would have no need to announce my former experience. Maybe I "used to umpire" or even was still an umpire, but because of that, I certainly am aware that at this moment in time, I am NOT an umpire.

A guy who has to announce that he was an umpire is telling me he still has a lot to learn about the game.....

[MDUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Standard defensive FP parent response. Where did I suggest anyone not watch their kids play? I love it when people respond to something that was never offered.



See, my point exactly. You can still keep your hand in the officiating side of the game and that means you still are an umpire.

However, to get back to my original statement, I'll stand by the reasons why people who try to justify their rationale by declaring their previous endeavor have left the vocation.

An umpire who coaches and knows what it is like to be an umpire wouldn't make such a declaration.

I love it when people say I'm being defensive when I'm not.

[BretMan]

Coach: "Well, I used to be an umpire..."

Umpire: "But today you're NOT!"

********************************

Coach: "Well, I used to be an umpire..."

Umpire: "And when you were, how did you handle it when a coach came out to complain about something that had no basis in the rules?"

********************************

I've used them both before.