A word about Blue...

Ditto fishump....if you are a daddyball team that infiltrates a showcase tournament I'm working you will be treated as such if you show your ass.

 

Easy to complain but hard to do better

Some 20 years ago, being a baseball "nut", I thought what better hobby could there be than to be an ump. I'd get to be paid for doing something I love, and plus with my superior knowledge of the game, both from a rules and playing standpoint, I'd be one of the best umps of all time !!!

So when an ad appearred in the local paper (Fairfax, Va.), I joined the Northern Virginia Baseball Umpire Association (NVBUA), which umped middle school up to NCAA games. The first thing I learned was that "don't quit your day job", as it cost me $35 to take an 8 session course, plus required purchase of expensive umpire gear ($500 at that time). All for the chance to make $50 a game, while traveling up to 30 miles away through
the DC traffic at rush hour to be at the game an hour beforehand and 2 more hours per game. Gas was less expensive then, but no way was I getting rich here.

During the 8 sessions, almost no rules discussions were taught, it was all about "mechanics". For those non-umps, mechanics has to do with which ump has the responsibility to make the call, and where each ump should be positioned for every conceiveable situation. This is what Fish-Ump was refering to. The association through years of experience had determined that "mechanics" were more important than knowing every rule. I didn't 100% buy into this, but this is the way the association taught their umps and it was a well respected association. The real goal here is to ensure every play is covered and that both umps don't call the same play - possibly with different calls.

So I take a test, and get the highest grade, and get to ump a few weeks before the rest of the students. I'll include the test as best I can, in a later post, so the experts amongst us can see how easy it was. You can even post your answers if you want, but the answers may surprise you.

Anyway, I do a few games, my strike zone at home plate ump isn't too good, also hard when doing middle school games because you have to give away strikes to the pitcher or else you'll end up with everyone walking. But I got better and was actually feeling good about myself, more confident, so 4th game I do, literally 2 old ladies approach me before the game, really friendly to me, say "do you mind if I yell at the ump", I say something like "well, I'm sure you won't be too bad, and I don't really mind". So these two "hags" start chirping on every pitch, soon both coaches are chirping, all the parents are chirping, the players, heck I even think the field ump stared complaining about pitches.

The point is that the home plate ump can literally hear everything that is being said in the stands, it takes a very thick skin to not be upset or distracted by it. We are all human beings, and even though the culture in baseball is to complain about the umps, it doesn't help the ump to make good calls. It is very much a distraction as you inevitably get unsure about your calls, which is fatal when umping. Let me explain it like this, grab 3 loud mouth strangers, and put them in the back seat of your car and have them complain about your driving - i.e. everything you do, rolling through stops, wide turns, starting too fast, stopping too slow, weaving in the lane, etc. So do that for 2 hours or so, and then see what kind of mood your in. Also see if that makes you drive "better" or "worse".

For me personally, my 8th game was my last, as an arrogant head coach loudly complained about everything - I was the field ump at that game - and I literally challenged him during the game to "say one more word" and I was throwing him out. I threw out one of his players for throwing his batting glove after a called third strike, I was "nuts", it's a good thing I wasn't carrying a weapon !!! After the game the parents from the other team said stuff like, "so glad you did that, that coach had been a A-hole the whole year". But the point was that I failed to keep my cool, I failed as an ump !!! I quit the association after that game, because I knew I couldn't handle the abuse, when I was being paid practically nothing, and it certainly wasn't worth it, plus I was doing this because I love baseball and this was making me hate baseball.

So unless you've walked in his shoes, I would be hesitant to complain about baseball umps. Football is a different sport in that 22 guys are all in the play running full speed somewhere. The average fan isn't going to see everytime when you miss a call, but in baseball, everyone can see the pitch or see the play, so everyone has an opinion. I think I would have eventually been a good ump, but I wasn't going to take that much "crap" before I got there. Maybe that's why there isn't more good umps, they just quit. Of course those umps that want it to be "all about themselves" stay on, so the more you complain, the more you end up with what you don't want, kind just rewards IMO.

 

I applaud you

Anon, Fish and others who care - I applaud you for accepting the challenge. You obviously care about your job as an umpire and approach it with the right attitude. EDP, sorry it didn't work out for you but I applaud you for early recognition and an early exit. It is absolutely not a money-maker. It takes a tremendouse level of commitment and it is very political. You will certainly pay your dues to get to higher level games.

There are idiots everywhere - in every sport and every career. The thought of getting rid of the idiots is enticing, yet unreasonable. SO, let's control what can be controlled. Rules, Appearance, Mechanics, Communication, Control - master these five and I believe you can deal with any situation you encounter - even the idiots.

Rules: OK, I don't think it is reasonable to expect every umpire to know every rule and approved interpretation. So, learn as much as you can and challenge yourself to work to learn more each and every day. Most people don't realize the rule book contains hundreds of "approved rulings" that cover nearly every situation that an umpire may face - it takes years of experience to be really good at chapter and verse of the baseball rule book. Just do your best to be your best - then kick it up an extra degree every chance you get. If you get in a bind, get help and don't be a victim of foolish pride.

Appearance: Wear an approved uniform that is clean and fits. If you are overweight, quit and go sign up for Biggest Loser - get in shape. Take pride in how you present yourself. Personally, I like that football "highly recommends" no facial hair. If you have a beard or moustache - keep it tight and clean. Most importantly, if there is someone in your association that you wouldn't want to be on the field with - DON'T! Flush 'em out! Some things that I believe are unbecoming an umpire include sweat bands, sunglasses, hockey helmets, arm guards, shorts, and tobacco.

Mechanics: Be in the right place at the right time everytime. Hustle. Be emphatic with your call - let everyone know you have the call. Don't show up a player on a strike out (aka Leslie Neilson style) - no one wants to see you moon walk. If you are behind the plate and don't have the guts to get in position - quit and go work softball.

Communication: It does not always have to be a confrontation. Learn how to communicate with coaches, players and even fans. One of the hardest things for a young official to understand is that coach's careers rest in the hands of a 16, 17 or 18 year old kid making the right play at the right time everytime - never mind the "fumes" that distract them! As an umpire, you are doing something you enjoy as a sideline hobby (most of the time) and your decision won't cost you your job. Recognize the coach may not be right and may be simply an idiot, but it's his job and career. Learn to diffuse through effective communication and you are on your way to a great career. Don't be a John Wayne or Dirty Harry ready to pull the trigger at the first chance you get. I agree no one should be abused and you shouldn't either. Pull the trigger when you need to, just don't follow the Ready, Fire, Aim method.

Control: If you cannot control your emotions, get out now. If it becomes personal to you, get out now. If criticism gets under your skin, get out now. If you can control tough, intense situations with calm resolve and assertive decisiveness - you have a good chance of being successful as an umpire. Stay in the game and build a reputation for yourself that you can be proud of.

I would love to see a premier umpire association dedicated to elevate the profession. Someone start one and I'll guarantee you that you will have plenty of work - and fun - and earn a tremendous amount of respect!

 

Thank you....

Coaches, Parents, Fans and Players all will recognize those umpires who care and want to do a good job. Thanks for your commitment to be good and always work to improve yourself and the profession.

Your attitude paragraph shows an edgy side - I'm sure you don't go "lookin for a fight" when you walk onto the field, right? I don't want to be provocative, but how would you define the "crap" you don't take off anybody? Seriously, I am curious.

 

This is really good...thank you for this response.

 

Baylee...thank you for the opportunity to clarify myself. I never go looking for a fight but I always realize that depending on the type of game the players and coaches are not my friends. My only teammates are my partners. The game starts for me in the parking lot/lockerroom getting dressed. My shoes are shined, my pants are wrinkle free, my shirts wrinkle free and sharp looking, my hats have a crown in them and look sharp. Perception is reality and whether umpires want to admit it or not, everyone is sizing you up when you walk in the park. The coaches, players, fans, etc. are sizing you up to see what you are made of. They are trying to figure out if they are going to be able to give you hell all night or if you are going to handle yourself with professionalism and deal with it. I'm courteous at the plate conference but I'm all business. I have a job to do just as the coaches and players do...we are not friends...we can be friendly but we are not friends. When I talk about "crap" I'm talking about guys popping off from the dugout about stuff, bench jockeying between players, coaches making comments...stuff like that. Coaches, players, fans, etc always like to paint the guy in blue as the asshole. They spout off how it's "part of the game". I got news for you...it's not. I deal with the "noise" from the dugout in a decisive and firm way, I don't look for a fight. I look at coaches/players like kids...if you are firm with them and let them know you are all business than there is no confusion when you have to hand out consequences. I don't eject people, people get themselves ejected. Rules need to be studied at home and as a sports official you need to know the rules. It's not fair to coaches and players when you go out there and BS your way through it.

 

Awesome!

Anon - love the approach. I'm sure you are well respected by the association and the coaches you work for. I agree with the philosophy on ejection. I rarely see an employee get fired - most often they "ST" - self-terminate! One of the differences between baseball and football - the pregame conference. About an hour before the game the referee and umpire (football) meet with each coach individually and go over the pregame checklist. The most important point of the pregame is the discussion about communication - in other words, when we have an issue, here is how we are going to deal with it. The referee, without being a John Wayne, discusses what is acceptable and what is not. I have often thought that would be good for baseball. Too many times the plate conference is hurried and the coaches are more focused on the first pitch than the plate discussion. Not always feasible due to back-to-back games, but a suggestion for high school that I believe would be very constructive.

Keep up the good work -- PM me if you care to introduce yourself. Hot dogs are on me if we ever cross paths! Seriously think you should start your own association!!!! I promise the summer leagues will hire your group - and probably pay more for quality.

 

BEST THREAD EVER (AND most helpful)???????

My congrats and thanks to Baylee and Anon for their in-depth and insightful dialogs. If you gentleman are willing, I, for one, would love to hear each of you list some phrases coming from coaches, dugouts and players that are NEVER ok with you and most likely will evoke your wrath. Expletives not needed. They are self explanatory.
Thanks much, both of you. Braves, you ought to consider some special recognition to these two gentlemen for enhancing all of our data bases on umpiring and letting us think about umpires are people as well and just want what we all want. Just musing: wouldn't it be nice if umpires' wives and families wanted to come to games as much as players's families??

 

I can say it's never anything specific but more on what type of tone is used. You ask, "Where was that pitch?". One way that you ask you are using a tone that you genuinely want to know so you can help your pitcher and you're asking in the first couple of innings. The second way is your being a prick and you're showing me up because you think I missed a pitch AND you're asking me in the later innings. If you haven't figured out where the zone is by the later innings than you are a piss poor coach. So, like I said, a lot of it is tone of voice. I will talk to you. You come out and act like a prick though and I will "out-prick" you with sarcasm and embarrass you in front of everyone. You chose to come out and escalate it so now you can "get your money's worth" as they say. I bust my ass in meaningful games and I don't need you (coach) coming out here busting my balls.

Coaches are like lawyers...they like to get you talking until you end up screwing yourself. I was taught at umpire school to always use rulebook terminology. Example: Whacker at first base, I call him out, coach comes out and thinks he was safe. Only two things can happen. The ball beat the runner or the runner beat the ball. This is a 15 sec conversation. Any conversation beyond those two possibilities is holding up the game and I as an umpire will take that conversation to it's conclusion.

Me: "Coach, I heard what you have to say, you obviously disagree with me, we're going with what I have and we're done discussing it."

Coach: "Ya but he was safe!!!"

Me: "Coach, I heard what you have to say, I told you we are done discussing this. I'm trying to keep you in this ballgame. I'm going to turn and walk away and if you follow me you're done."

At this point I've given the coach a choice, he can stay and argue and get dumped or he can walk away and stick around. Again...it's his choice. He ultimately decides if he stays or goes based on his choice of behavior. It's really that simple. Also it's not personal for me. I may have a game where I know the coach is a prick but I always give him a chance to not act like one for this game.

As far as starting an association..don't need to. I belong to the best organization ever and I work for the best booking agent there is so I would never go down that road.

As far as my family goes, I bring my family to showcase games because it's mellow and the coaches and players for the most part understand why they are there. I may bring them to a college game. I would never in a million years bring them to a legion game if for no other reason than my wife is a pitbull who dislikes stupid people more than I do so it wouldn't take much for her to go to some poor mama/papa's a$$. I would bring them to an SCBL game, in fact they came to a couple last year.

 

Most annoying things heard while umpiring

"That's alright Johnny...not your pitch."

Johnny takes two cock shots down the middle and than swings at a pitch over his head or in the dirt...apparently that was his pitch.

"Come on Blue!!!"

This statement is usually followed by something ignorant from a kzone daddy/mama who doesn't know the rules or is 368 ft away from the play but can see it better than I can. Is commonly heard at daddyball tournaments when little Johnny gets called out by half a step or more at first base.

Got a kid on the hump throwing cheddar and the batter gets out of the way and Johnny Gonna Be Somebody yells from the dugout, "WEAR IT...we got ice." Seriously?