Are you f***ing kidding me

[gumpire]

Just got an e-mail from our local deputy UIC/assignor that I will not be working tournament this weekend because teams threatened not to play in the tournament if I was there!!!!!

1) What team named me (by name) and threatened not to play?
2) Since when do teams get to pick and choose umpire assignments?

3) If I'd known it was that easy to get rid of them, I'd have told them that I was working every single game ever!!!!

Honestly, I'm really irritated!!! If the issue is rule knowledge/application, that's 1 thing (1 thing the DUIC and/or UIC should have addressed long before now!!!), but if it's judgement, that's BULLSH*T!!!!

Thoughts? Opinions?

[derwil]

I think I'd find a new UIC to work for.

[okla21fan]

There has to be more to this story and more history. Having a conversation with your assignor and executive board is warranted.

As an assigner, yes there are some blues on occasion (that I will put on a secondary list for 'issues' and not just one or even a few, but over time, its better for the softball association as a whole to not work 'said' umpire if possible) The point is, that before doing something like this, there should be specific instances and documented issues on hand

[MrRabbit]

gumpire,

It is not worth it, find some place else to umpire.

[IRISHMAFIA]

From association POV:

I would depend on who is running the tournament. Like it or not, in many, if not most cases, the sanctioning body is just that, the sanctioning body, not necessarily the host.

The host has every right to exclude umpires, teams, whomever from their tournament. Whether you like it or not, they are the customer and can just as easily pick up the phone and call XYZ Softball Assn and have them sanction the game and provide umpires.

From UIC POV:

I agree, if there is a problem with the mechanics/rule knowledge/attitude, I would hope that I would be aware of it and had it addressed long before something like this happens.

I would not tell an umpire the reason I'm not using him/her is because the teams do not want him/her working the games. However, I would want specifics of any allegations and if I thought they were unjustified, I would fight for the umpire to work if I needed him/her to complete the assignments. If they are justified, I'm having a talk with the umpire about something I obviously did not see.

I have often been criticized of some of the assignments I've given umpires, but always vindicated by the umpire's performance and willingness to step up their game when necessary (though I'm a firm believer an umpire should always give the same effort to every game)

Like it or not, the UIC is subject to the same "host" issues noted above and I've seen such an adjustement made at a high-level tournament by a NUS member simply because they did not have to choose ASA as the sanctioning body. If the UIC is instructed to not use a certain umpire(s), s/he will do just that or not be the UIC very long.

From umpire POV:

I would want specifics. If I'm doing something wrong or am acting in a manner detrimental to my game, I'm going to want the opportunity to correct it. If there are no specifics to be had or an unwillingness to discuss this by anyone in the organization, I may either retire or find another venue to ply my trade.

Simply telling an umpire they are not welcome without a reason is something that never occurs.

[celebur]

Originally Posted by gumpire

Honestly, I'm really irritated!!! If the issue is rule knowledge/application, that's 1 thing (1 thing the DUIC and/or UIC should have addressed long before now!!!), but if it's judgement, that's BULLSH*T!!!!

Thoughts? Opinions?

My first thought--there's more to umpiring than rule knowledge/application and judgement. Maybe it's something else?

My second thought--I don't think an email is a proper way for your deputy UIC/assignor to inform you of that news.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by celebur

My second thought--I don't think an email is a proper way for your deputy UIC/assignor to inform you of that news.

A couple years ago I would agree, but in today's world, an e-mail is probably preferred to a "tweet" or text message on the phone.

Also, if something is askew with this decision, it provides gumpire with documentation which you wouldn't have short of recording an unexpected phone or personal conversation.

[gumpire]

Thanks for the input received so far!!! I look forward to hearing more thoughts/opinions.

I'd just like to share; the issue at hand is not whether I was assigned games in the tournament or not, the issue is the situation:

1) Locally this is the last softball to be played for 2011;
2) there are 30+ teams playing on 6 different fields (as I understand it);
3) obviously, I was NOT the umpire assigned to any of those fields.
4) I have an EXTREMELY difficult time believing that players were willing to forgo playing in this tournament if I was even there, working their game or not.

If I had been assigned to games in this tournament, and a particular team (or 2, or even 3) went to the TD and said they did not want to play with me working the game, and on that basis the TD reassigned me, I wouldn't like it, but I would understand and comply.

I believe this sets a local precedence that will benefit no person, complex, league, tournament, etc:
If my team doesn't like that umpire, we just refuse to play if he/she's at the complex --- he/she'll be "unassigned"!!!!

Please continue to share thoughts and opinions. Thanks.

[LIUmp]

Not to put you on the spot, but I am sure there is more to this story. Can you elaborate all you know? Have you ever, at any point, had a UIC or your assignor have a conversation with you about your umpiring? If so, what was it concerning?

Do you know of the teams/level/association involved? How often have you done their games this past year? Have you had any issues in those games?

Have you had issues with partners?

Have you had issues with parents? How about a certain level? I know some guys that I've UIC'd for who are good umpires, but who have a quick temper and can not manage coaches or spectators - that is they will argue with all around.

I was umpiring in a tourney this year where the TD said that he didn't want a certain umpire to work the semis and finals because he had an issue with his game management. It was taking 3 hours and 15 minutes to play an untimed semi final because his strike zone was very inconsistent and he was out to prove a point to all involved that HE was in charge. The UIC of the tourney asked me to do the next game behind the plate and we moved him to third base for the finals. After the game he was told about his "attitude" and that he would be limited in his assignments if things didn't change.

I'm curious as to why you are completely unaware of any reason why this might be happening. Your UIC/assignor and association owe you some explanation. But, unfortunately, they do not owe you much else (meaning work).

I don't mean to sound like a hard a$$ here...but in order to get to the bottom of it, you have to start digging and finding out the problem so it can be rectified, whatever it may be.

On edit: Did you have any harsh words with your UIC or assignor? Did you turn back any games? Did you have limited availability when he needed you and now he's "taking it out on you?" Do you work for a competing organization and there's a conflict of interest?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by LIUmp

I was umpiring in a tourney this year where the TD said that he didn't want a certain umpire to work the semis and finals because he had an issue with his game management. It was taking 3 hours and 15 minutes to play an untimed semi final because his strike zone was very inconsistent and he was out to prove a point to all involved that HE was in charge. The UIC of the tourney asked me to do the next game behind the plate and we moved him to third base for the finals. After the game he was told about his "attitude" and that he would be limited in his assignments if things didn't change.

I think this is apples/oranges. Not using an umpire because s/he is not qualified isn't (or at least I think it isn't) the conversation here.

[LIUmp]

What sticks out to me is that this wasn't one team. This was TEAMS. Usually, teams deal with the good and the not so good. For teamS to threaten to not play if he umpires screams that there has been significant issues in the past with regards to his umpiring according to the teams. If it is warranted, then I blame his UIC/Assignor for not addressing this sooner so it didn't get to this. If it's not warranted, then what happened to make someone out to get this guy?

[blueump]

Originally Posted by LIUmp

What sticks out to me is that this wasn't one team. This was TEAMS. Usually, teams deal with the good and the not so good. For teamS to threaten to not play if he umpires screams that there has been significant issues in the past with regards to his umpiring according to the teams. If it is warranted, then I blame his UIC/Assignor for not addressing this sooner so it didn't get to this. If it's not warranted, then what happened to make someone out to get this guy?

That's only what the assigner told the OP at least. More than likely it was one specific player - probably a team captain that complained about the umpire. The assigner has no guts and made up the "teams won't play" part to cover his own lack of fortitude. Since when do teams have meetings to discuss upcoming tournament umpires? Usually they show up at the field and then complain - not before. It's probably one player, from one team that the OP made a call against earlier in the season.