Interference Question

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by rwest

Absolutely it should be! Without a doubt! I have been umpiring for 9 years now. I know there are those who have more experience then I. I just mentioned that to indicate I'm no rookie. However, 9 years ago I joined this site and I'm glad I did. I learned a lot on this site. I used it more heavily than I do now. If he can't come here to learn where should he go? Yes, his association should be teaching him, but this is a secondary learning tool! In some cases it is easier to come here and post a question than it is to call someone in the umpires association. You get more for your trouble. You can get multiple responses with just one question. There's great dialogue. Sure at times it digresses into a pissing match, unfortunately. But for the most part it is good debate.

One thing we veterans need to remember is how it was when we first started. Some veterans here can be a little too dismissive of the rookies in my opinion.

I didn't say it couldn't be helpful. For that matter, it is priceless to some. However, this or any other discussion board should not be considered a primary resource to reference.

Do you accept an argument from a coach when he tells you he knows the rule because he checked at Heybucket.com?

Would you expect a clinician to accept this or any other board when addressing a rule or interpretation at a clinic or on the field?

One of the quickest ways for an umpire to kill his/her rules knowledge credibility with a UIC is to start the explanation of a call with, "Well, at home....." or "On the game on TV the other night..." Had a guy reference what was done "at home" in OKC one time, and I think they heard the UIC in the guy's home state (CA).

You talk about how valuable this is and how much you learned here, yet when people are trying to prod a newbie into researching and discovering the rules, you chastise them. Did everyone just give you test answers when you first joined? I'm pretty sure that wasn't the case.

Look, this and other boards can be a great source of information. Between here, McGriffs and other umpiring sites, we've had some great discussions, arguments and even discoveries that led to rule changes and interpretations. However, these boards are not a substitute for a school, clinic, seminar or study session. One may learn some of the mechanics, some of the rules and interpretations, but someone isn't going to become an umpire from coming to websites to learn.