social media policy

[AtlUmpSteve]

I don't have or know of a social media policy, but I have suggested to an umpire when I thought postings on messageboards (and this is one) were suggesting something other than what he intended. I know it has been suggested to me that I not post at all.

It has also been suggested to me that, since I am not the state UIC, I cannot make rulings, so I should refer any rules question to him to be answered; and I participate in several, including one I run in our area. Guess what; I still respond. But, I am careful what I say doesn't imply any more authority than I may have.

To me, the bottom line is that we are all allowed (legally) to participate in these forums, and even Facebook and Twitter; but, like anything else, we have to be careful to not be perceived as even slightly biased. If there can even be a perception, we are damned, because perception is reality to enough people. Sure, we have First Amendment rights, and can say more or less whatever we want; that doesn't mean there may not be consequences for what we do say.

As an assignor/coordinator, I feel I have to be (somewhat) receptive to what the customer perceives; if not, there is nothing that forces them to stay my customer. So, if the customer presents a cogent case that one individual is perceived as biased, that one individual may lose assignments; simply being more cautious when posting publicly can keep that from being an issue.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

If there can even be a perception, we are damned, because perception is reality to enough people.

Which is the biggest problem with not only our sport, but just about every damn thing in this country.

And kowtowing to general ignorance simply pertetuates a problem that will eventually turn the movie Idiocracy from a sarcastic comedy to a documentary.

[Dutch Alex]

The Neth.'s are a small country in Europe. You all know that fact. We have a very small softball-community in Holland and in Europe as a whole. Most coaches and players know the umpires by name. Some of them have friendship- (or worse: family-) relations with the umpires. The dutch umpires are advised by the national federation not to accept players and/or coaches as "friend" on the social media. For the different forums we are advised to stay away. This international umpireforum is the only one I'm active on and not even under full name. Although frequent readers, familiar with the dutch softball-community can figure out who I am.
The worst thing we umpires can lose is our good-name. People might indeed think we are bias. So, yes, the best thing is to be more than very careful what to write.

During a game I always call the coaches "Coach", even if (s)he is a friend outside the ballpark... I know you all do that as I do it. So why shouldn't we do it as well on the social media?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dutch Alex

The Neth.'s are a small country in Europe. You all know that fact. We have a very small softball-community in Holland and in Europe as a whole. Most coaches and players know the umpires by name. Some of them have friendship- (or worse: family-) relations with the umpires. The dutch umpires are advised by the national federation not to accept players and/or coaches as "friend" on the social media. For the different forums we are advised to stay away. This international umpireforum is the only one I'm active on and not even under full name. Although frequent readers, familiar with the dutch softball-community can figure out who I am.
The worst thing we umpires can lose is our good-name. People might indeed think we are bias. So, yes, the best thing is to be more than very careful what to write.

During a game I always call the coaches "Coach", even if (s)he is a friend outside the ballpark... I know you all do that as I do it. So why shouldn't we do it as well on the social media?

I'm in the same situation. I'm in a small state and just about everyone in the softball community knows each other off the field as well as on the field. I often have players and coaches call me by name even though I ask them not to do so. I use their name only when necessary, if at all.

If I had to decline games or defer decisions based on familiarity, I'd just as well lock myself in my house because that would be the only way to do my job.

But I can guarantee there i no one in my area that will have cause of accusing me of favoring one team/player over another.