Are you f***ing kidding me

[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]

While I'm not disagreeing Mike, I don't know if it is the conversation here or not. Suppose this is an 18U tourney and the umpire in question is more "suited" to work 12U and below and runs into many more issues working any higher level games. Then we just may be talking about the same fruit after all.

[MrRabbit]

gumpire stated...

"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!!!!!"

The reason aside for his local UIC / assigner choose to address this issue with an e-mail is nothing but "Chicken "Sh*T".

This matter should have handled by a phone call at least.

Better yet should have been in person with a detailed discussion with the facts in either case.

And gumpire said that he has not heard of any problems concerning rule knowledge / application, or any other reasons at this point in time.

If there are issues they should have been deal with long before this happened.

This UIC need to have come to meeting with their high ups, lets hope their next in charge does not operate the same way.