Umpiring This Year

My name is Johnny. [technically on a certificate]
My father's name is Johnny. [really!]
My son's name is Johnny. [ok... not even on the certificate - but could've]
Anyway...
Johnny is offended.
Johnny feels attacked.
Johnny feels threatened and bullied.
I smell a class action suit!

 

Johnny is smarted than that!

 

I think you are missing the point here. We are discussing that some umpires think the game is about them and not the players. While I don't agree with all the calls they make, I personally would never want to do that job. Just let the guys play the game and move on. The best umpires are the one that you don't know are there.

 

PhillyDave - I totally agree. That was only meant as a side joke to the thread "Johnny isn't hitting .500". No disrespect to any players or umpires for that matter. I actually have a kid named "John" and I thought the thread was humerous. I do enjoy games that the umpires appear invisible and always acknowledge those that do their job effectively and in a professional manner.

Good Luck to the "Men in Blue"

I would never want their job!!!

 

There is something to the adage "the best umpires are the ones you didn't know were there" but that's not always the case. A lot of times umpires have to make tough calls that are going to piss off half the fans half the time. Everybody knows they were there but they still have to make the calls. The plate umpire that calls out Johnny Gonna Be Somebody for interference because he fell over the plate while the runner was stealing is not going to be popular with people but he made the right call. Don't get me started on "path of least resistance" umpiring...it leads to many of the problems I see people whining about on here.

 

Wrong issue

vikingmom started the thread.....based on what i've been reading it sounds like she may need to focus on a different issue.... PITCH COUNT!

Last I checked, Umpires don't manage pitch count...

 

Pitch Count

If you're referring to yesterday's game and our pitcher's pitch count, I had nothing to do with that. He's not my son and I'm not the coach. And thanks for letting me know that umpires don't manage the pitch count.

I started the thread because I have seen disproportionately more games this year with bad umpires. I don't mean missed calls or moving strike zones. When an umpire tells a catcher who is struggling that, if he can't catch the ball, he (the umpire) will find someone who can, that's bad umpiring and unprofessional. That's just one example. I was wondering if it was simply an I-Meck/CMS problem or if other people were experiencing the same thing around the area and state.

 

Umpiring

After watching the high school game last night, I agree with the umpire statement of being bad. The strike zone moved to 4 different zip codes. We ended up on top at the end but I felt bad for the apposing pitcher also, the ump seemed to squeeze the strike zone to give the leading pitcher nothing but belt high middle of the plate. The umpire’s job is not to keep the game close.

 

IMO............. Its an epidemic every where! As I said before, its gets a little better in College, but not much! As far as an umpire saying what you said he said, (I have heard that before so unfortunately it doesn't surprise me)....... completely uncalled for. Those are the type umpires that if you question any call and do it in a professional manner, they'll still run you. Still and always don't have any use for most of them.

 

Did the catcher start catching the ball or did the umpire find somebody else?