Umpire's Behavior

[Irish Ripple]

Originally posted by Andy
Let me state up front that I in no way excuse or condone the behavior of the umpire.


Think about this - If someone came into your place of employment, watched you work, and did not agree with a decision you made, then used "some heated, but clean words" regarding your performance, how would you feel?

Furthermore, another person "was entirely out of line, but he cussed" regarding the decision.

You might react and strike back under that kind of verbal assault, also.

Obviously I don't condone any cussing in front of 12 year olds, but somebody has to be the better person. The umpire is in a position of authority, and should act with professionalism at all times. This umpire should have responded by throwing this person out, not by bickering childishly like she did. Ovbiously I wouldn't enjoy being in that situation, and I even might get a little ticked if it hapenned to me, but I know for a fact that I would have handled myself with much more professionalism than she showed.

As far as striking back...I can't help but think about all the times in my husband's 20-year career as a military cop, and all the crap that he had to let go in one ear and out the other, and all the times he had to bite his tongue and maintain his professionalism. Of course slapping handcuffs on a slime bag is a bit more satisfying than ejecting someone from a ball game. BTW, I was a military cop too. There are some professions where you just can't lose your cool, and a cop is definitely one of them.

So, IMHO, umps should never ever lose their cool, no matter what is said to them. You are always going to make unpopular decisions (you can't please everybody), but you always need to keep your emotions in check.


JP