Weekend with the Clueless

[Dakota]

Originally posted by emaxos
I have been reading this board for a while and have gained a new level of respect for umpires. I am a coach and I try very hard to learn and play by the rules of the game, as most of us do.
I have, on some occasions, questioned calls that I thought were wrong. I also see coaches and fans who are clueless and need to just shutup.
However, I sense in your message a condescending tone toward coaches in general. I coach a rec league because I enjoy the game and I enjoy teaching the game. I owe it to my team to question a call if and when I feel it was wrong. That's part of my job as a coach and I do it in a mostly respectful way.
You do get it wrong on occasion, as do coaches. Becoming a good umpire is a learning process, just as becoming a good coach is. I go out a few nights a week for games and practice. I volunteer my time and ask nothing in return except a good ball game and a good effort from my players. Please don't hang us all because a small percentage don't do their job well.
Keep up the good work.

When I am calling the younger kids, I always assume I am dealing with inexperienced coaches (not always true, but true the majority of the time). Therefore, I don't get upset with a coach who misunderstands the rules as long as he is respectful. I try to educate the coach, not reprimand him. Where I come down hard is when he disagrees loudly from across the field (even if he is right), or when he is playing to the crowd, or when he is loudly talking about me to his team of assistant coaches with obvious intent to technically avoid saying those things to me. Saying them to me is not required, since the rule says they can't make disparaging remarks "to or about" the umpire.

Besides, these kinds of war stories here are mostly for a few chuckles, kind of a "first liar doesn't have a chance" situation. Don't infer that they apply to all coaches or that they describe how umpires feel about coaches in general.

[JEL]

Kellerumps, I think it has been answered, but yes, I meant exactly what I typed. I will never reverse, and have never reversed a partners call. If a coach makes a civil request for an appeal, I will entertain it, and reverse MY call if need be. If coach does not ask, rather demand, I usually will just state, I made the call. Civility, and respect from coaches/managers goes a long way, and should also be offered by the umpiring crew.

[Dakota]

Originally posted by BigUmpJohn
10U game, ...I look at him, hang my head in disgust, and walk away. ... I say in a babyish way, ...

JMO, John, but you were out of line. The coach was ignorant, true, but that was no cause for trying to show him up. Just explain the rule.

[Andy]

Originally posted by emaxos
I have been reading this board for a while and have gained a new level of respect for umpires. I am a coach and I try very hard to learn and play by the rules of the game, as most of us do.
I have, on some occasions, questioned calls that I thought were wrong. I also see coaches and fans who are clueless and need to just shutup.
However, I sense in your message a condescending tone toward coaches in general. I coach a rec league because I enjoy the game and I enjoy teaching the game. I owe it to my team to question a call if and when I feel it was wrong. That's part of my job as a coach and I do it in a mostly respectful way.
You do get it wrong on occasion, as do coaches. Becoming a good umpire is a learning process, just as becoming a good coach is. I go out a few nights a week for games and practice. I volunteer my time and ask nothing in return except a good ball game and a good effort from my players. Please don't hang us all because a small percentage don't do their job well.
Keep up the good work.

Hmmmm....seems to me that this pendulum swings both ways!

[bluezebra]

A friend of mine had a HS game a few years ago. After telling one of the coaches that they weren't allowed to do something, the coach replied with the classic (I think this is in the coaches' manual), "But the umps allowed it in our last game". Manny, "That's strange, I worked your last game, and didn't allow it then either".

Bob

[BigUmpJohn]

JMO, John, but you were out of line. The coach was ignorant, true, but that was no cause for trying to show him up. Just explain the rule.

I know I was out of line. I did apologize to the coach but did say that he should at least know the basic structure of the game before he decided to coach. It was my fourth game of 5 on an 85 degree Sunday. I was just tired and annoyed, that's all.

[Skahtboi]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BigUmpJohn

I know I was out of line. I did apologize to the coach but did say that he should at least know the basic structure of the game before he decided to coach. It was my fourth game of 5 on an 85 degree Sunday. I was just tired and annoyed, that's all.

I am glad that you recognize that you were out of line here, but remember, no matter how tired or annoyed you are, you represent not just yourself, but everyone of us in this profession. There have been many times in this hot Texas sun, 100 degrees or better, where I have worked as many as seven games in a day. No matter how silly a coach or a question might seem, I have always tried to maintain a professional attitude. We cannot be prone to temper at any time while we are on the field.

[BigUmpJohn]

I am glad that you recognize that you were out of line here, but remember, no matter how tired or annoyed you are, you represent not just yourself, but everyone of us in this profession. There have been many times in this hot Texas sun, 100 degrees or better, where I have worked as many as seven games in a day. No matter how silly a coach or a question might seem, I have always tried to maintain a professional attitude. We cannot be prone to temper at any time while we are on the field.

Point taken. I don't know. I just cannot understand how a coach who is supposed to be there to educate his players (This was a 10U game.) not know the game himself. Oh well, I guess it shouldn't bother me. I do have many more things to learn about what I do... the little nuances about it. I am always open to advice and comments. I appreciate it. Thanks.

[Irish Ripple]

Originally posted by BigUmpJohn
Point taken. I don't know. I just cannot understand how a coach who is supposed to be there to educate his players (This was a 10U game.) not know the game himself. Oh well, I guess it shouldn't bother me. I do have many more things to learn about what I do... the little nuances about it. I am always open to advice and comments. I appreciate it. Thanks.

I am sure his kid is on the team


But seriously, what bothers me are umpires who have no idea what it means to be professional. I am not an ump, I am just a parent who has played ball for over 20 years now (child is on an ASA 12-U SP team). There have been so many instances of coaches screaming at the umps, and the umps just screaming right back at them. And we have had many times when the blue would just go off on us parents for booing a call, and threaten to forfeit the game. We even had an ump last season make all of the kids spit their gum out before the game started. How ridiculous is that? I don’t ever remember seeing an umpire check bats before a game, hardly ever do they go over the ground rules, and the inconsistencies on the wearing of jewelry is frustrating (I know, that’s not an ASA rule).

I have been trolling this board for some time now, and you guys (and gals) are an exception to the rule as far as I’m concerned.

Can some of you come here and ump for my daughter’s league? (I'm not too far from you, John).

JP

[Dakota]

Originally posted by Irish Ripple
But seriously, what bothers me are umpires who have no idea what it means to be professional. JP

It bothers us, too, JP.

[Dakota]

PS, JP, glad you decided to post - welcome!

[BigUmpJohn]

Can some of you come here and ump for my daughter’s league? (I'm not too far from you, John).

I'll consider it for next season. Where are you from, JP?

[Irish Ripple]

I live in New Castle, a little to the north of you. My husband works in the burgh.

JP

[TERRY1]

Had a classic at a 14u state qualifier this past weekend. R1 on first d3k on batter and when batter takes off for first catcher looks like maybe I should throw down and I give a “BATTERS OUT”. 3rd base coaches looks puzzled and says “time blue” and I grant him time. Politely he ask why batter is out it was a d3k. I tell him 1st base was occupied. He says “No it wasn’t I had a steal on and r1 was already gone.” I explain that first was occupied at time of pitch again and I can tell he is accepting this but really doesn’t think it’s the right call. After the ½ inning is over first base coach comes by on his way to dug out and says, “ By the way blue I believe 1st & 2nd must be occupied for there not to be a d3k in effect. I just smile and go on about my business. 2 games later I have same team again and 3rd base coach comes for pre-game and says, “Blue we looked it up and you were right on the d3k..

[BigUmpJohn]

I live in New Castle, a little to the north of you. My husband works in the burgh.

OK. I live in West Mifflin. I am completely HORRIBLE with directions, but I'm pretty sure I know where that's at. I'll think about it for next season.