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Social Media
A simple question that I hope sparks discussion.
Is it acceptable for an umpire to be "friends" on Facebook with a coach at any level? (or any social media, for that matter)
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We see with our eyes. Fans and parents see with their hearts. |
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Who business is it, anyway? The conspiracy theorists may have an issue, then again, they have an issue with which way one dispenses their toilet paper in their home bathroom. Let me counter with this: Are there umpires out there who have "real" friends that happen to be coaches? If you have a friend who becomes a coach, do you terminate that friendship? If you have a sibling who becomes a coach, do you terminate all contact? And what happens when you have a coach who also umpires! AFAIC, an umpire officiates the game, not the people. You can be friends all you want away from the game. If you have someone that cannot separate personal association from the game, they probably shouldn't be either an umpire or a coach. And, yes, this is my opinion at all levels.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball. |
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FWIW, I have Facebook friends and LinkedIn colleagues who are people I haven't seen in years. I don't call them or exchange emails with them. If I do end up crossing paths with them, I might just say Hi or even stop and have a quick conversation with them. I certainly don't invite them over to the house for beer and steaks on the grill. Heck, I carry on more meaningful conversations with coaches in the stands while watching games I'm not working than I do with my "virtual friends."
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"Let's face it. Umpiring is not an easy or happy way to make a living. In the abuse they suffer, and the pay they get for it, you see an imbalance that can only be explained by their need to stay close to a game they can't resist." -- Bob Uecker |
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I am FB friends with at least 10 coaches (at some level), several people who were, are, or have been board members in various leagues, and probably 20 or so players as well. It's never ever come up as an issue, not once.
It's only a problem when someone is ACTUAL friends - the kind you go have a beer with.
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I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, 'I drank what?'” West Houston Mike |
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If an umpire needs to isolate himself to call a game with impartiality, he shouldn't be umpiring.
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Tom |
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It's the perception standpoint I was referring to... I should have been more clear. Umpiring games where people you know you are publicly friends with are on one side can cause perceptional problems from other people.
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I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, 'I drank what?'” West Houston Mike |
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Well to me the social media ain't the problem. It's the National Federation that has the problem. I'm here under an AKA, 'cause our fed. don't want us to be on a forum, nor on Facebook (and others) with softball related friends.
I do have a LinkedIn account, but nothing else. I want my friends to be real, the ones I can have a beer with. The players and coaches that I know outside the softball-community are, just like me, professional enough to don't let the game come between our friendship. Before and during the game, nobody can see we are friends. After we all have had our shower, we can all together have a beer (or two)... For example this little story. Last week I was umpire on the ECWA 2012 in Enschede (Ned.) [an ESF tournament - ECWA 2012 - 20-25 august -]. I saw a friend on nearby the bar. He was with his DD there and she was a player on the tournament. When I came to talk to her father, she just gave me a smile and left us... That's the proper way to avoid problems.
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Sander Ik ben niet gek, doe alleen alsof! Gaat me goed af toch? |
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Many of you are probably aware, but the NCAA SUP has a policy that umpires should not be Facebook (or other similar media) friends with any current players or coaches. They further warn against discussing games or future game assignments in any manner, believing that rabid fans and parents will find some way to challenge the impartiality.
To most, this is overkill, and at other levels (short of professional leagues) it is absurdity. But, the NCAA program has set those guidelines, and like it or not, if you to play in their game, you have to play by their rules.
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Steve ASA/ISF/NCAA/NFHS/PGF |
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Never had a problem with him again. Quote:
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball. |
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I have even umpired some of my daughters games......not by choice. I once red carded one of my best friends in a soccer match....... I could not officiate HS in Galveston or Brazoria County for awhile due to conflicts.....and I went along with that. I did my HS officiating in another State for a bit.....but now may be making my permanent home back to Texas. Joel |
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Boggie Back To Texas |
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I think there's a difference between being friends with a coach, and being friendly with a coach. As Steve pointed out earlier, NCAA wants the latter, not the former. I personally believe that mindset should trickle down to NFHS, and even ASA to a point.
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We see with our eyes. Fans and parents see with their hearts. |
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Tom |
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The same is not necessarily true at the high school and local ASA level. A few of the umpires in my association are high school coaches, and I've seen them at social events involving our association, in the stands at games I've attended as an umpire evaluator or casual spectator, and even at Target or Costco. I also know a couple of coaches from when my son played high school baseball. Heck, one of his head coaches is now the assistant coach for the high school's softball team. He was also one of my Little League volunteer umpires when I was the District UIC. We've known each other for many years. So I think the NCAA has the luxury of having a lot more separation between umpires and coaches that is not necessarily present at the more local level with high school and ASA. If the same policy existed, then our umpires who also coach high school teams wouldn't be able to participate in association functions.
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"Let's face it. Umpiring is not an easy or happy way to make a living. In the abuse they suffer, and the pay they get for it, you see an imbalance that can only be explained by their need to stay close to a game they can't resist." -- Bob Uecker |
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A former national ASA UIC was an assistant coach at a DII school and a very popular umpire and clinician. How in the world were they to get an umpire if you sit on this ridiculous notion?
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball. |
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