Just whose game is it, anyway?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Who do you think "owns" the game?

[DeputyUICHousto]

the players! For without them there wouldn't much of a game.

[Welpe]

Speaking Texas HS...the coaches, they own everything here...

[tcannizzo]

Broad question.
Of course, the teams own the game.
Umpires are stewards of the game and therefore own responsibility for law and order, hence a certain amount of control and ownership.

But I think there is more behind your primary question.

[Skahtboi]

No one "owns" the game.

It is an event that depends on the participation of many, from organizers to grounds crews to players to officials to fans.

You darn capitalists and the belief that someone must own everything.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

No one "owns" the game.

It is an event that depends on the participation of many, from organizers to grounds crews to players to officials to fans.

You darn capitalists and the belief that someone must own everything.

Then tell me why I constantly hear umpires make claims that this or that will not happen, "In my game" or "on my field".

I've heard coaches make the same claim and, IMO, it doesn't belong to them, either.

I agree, the "game" of softball is not owned........however, IMO "the game" on the field belongs to the players.

Umpires are merely observers with decision-making authority.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Then tell me why I constantly hear umpires make claims that this or that will not happen, "In my game" or "on my field".

If that possesive term means "the game to which I have been assigned", then we just need a new shorthand, because even the most anal among us would not expect "the game to which I have been assigned" repeated each time.

If "my" means different approach, different interpretations, judgements inconsistent with others, different mechanics, etc. than obviously that is anathema.
I guess that is the point of the OP.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Umpires are merely observers with decision-making authority.

As I often tell players who think my position takes precedence or catchers that think protecting me is more important than proper play.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Then tell me why I constantly hear umpires make claims that this or that will not happen, "In my game" or "on my field".

I've heard coaches make the same claim and, IMO, it doesn't belong to them, either.

I agree, the "game" of softball is not owned........however, IMO "the game" on the field belongs to the players.

Umpires are merely observers with decision-making authority.

Agree 100%. Would add that the field/game does not belong to the TD or the 6 board members watching the game (rooting for opposing teams) either. It's about the players.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Umpires are merely observers with decision-making authority.

Excellent summation.

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Who do you think "owns" the game?

The players own the game and it is my job to make sure it stays that way.

Rita

[Dutch Alex]

Then why, when it's not your game, can you be summed to defend yourself in court about things that happened in what someone else is calling your game?

I do agree that the game isn't mine, nor the coaches. However I have difficult feelings about the game solo belonging to the players...
To me the sport/game belongs to everyone who loves it.

The field however, during a game I work, is mine! The rules are set and it's my job to keep the game going within the rules. As soon as it's "ballgame" the field ain't mine anymore. During a rain-delay, the groundcrew ownes the field. They will let me know when I may start to play again...