From behind the plate

With all due respect, this is not always a good thing

 

Then I thank you for the respect - which, by the way, all umpires should receive (at least initially) simply because they wear the uniform.

Secondly, I apologize for misinterpreting what I perceived to be a harsh tone. I took the original post as somewhat hard and combative. Obviously no one else agrees.

Lastly, if posts are supportive and complimentary to an umpire on an open forum such as this, then you must be getting it done right. It is a plus that players, coaches and fans could look forward to a certain umpire coming through the gate.

Again, my apologies.

 

No offense taken. I realize tone is sometimes difficult to determine through emails/blogs. I don't want to be combative. I understand the reputations that some umpires make for themselves so I'm open to all the different viewpoints that are taken on various ways of "umpiring". I try to draw my influence from guys that are better than I so that I'm always trying to get better.

 

There were two umpires after one of our games this season that I sought out to compliment them on the job that they had done. The gentleman behind the plate was the most consistent with his strike zone that I have seen. The same pitch that was a ball or strike in the first inning was called the same way in the seventh...he never once waivered on a single pitch from the zone he had established. The gentleman in the field was very clear with his calls and if it was a play that could be somewhat in dispute he was very clear during the call about what he saw and wasn't afraid to ask for help. They both had my respect at the end of the day. The best part was when I went to tell them I thought they did a great job, they both looked at my hat and said we really must have done well. Our team lost that day.

 

actually

Actually the umpires are in charge when they enter the confines of the field (rule 10-1-2). I know this is an old one.. but I just saw it.

 

Umpires

There are some really good umpires that know how to manage the game. The reason they are so good is because the players, coaches, and fans respect them. They gain respect by managing the game with confidence and consistency. These good umpires don't let outside factors affect how the game is called. Yes, these umpires still make bad calls but they will still be able to keep control. In my mind, coaches and umpires should work together which is what the good ones do. This umpire will warn a kid or coach before they make a impulsive decision. If the player or coach does not change their actions, then they handle it.

Bad umpires do not use common sense. They do not work with the coaches or players. They are there to prove to everyone that they are the ones in charge and they know more than everyone else. These umpires act like this mostly due to a lack of knowledge and an uncertainty of the game. They are not confident in the calls that they make and they let other factors influence their calls. Most umpires like this are the ones banging kids for strikes when stepping out of the box, or calling a ball on the pitcher for not throwing it in 20 sec., etc.

I love sitting around shooting it with umpires before during and after games and getting their take on things. I would just like to see everyone handle the game with a little more respect. Umpires, coaches and players included.

 

I agree totally with DawgCatcher....many good to great umpires are being thrown into a bucket with those who are less capable because mostly only the bad ones are remembered. And for me, the bad ones stand out because of their "attitude". You can see it when they stride onto the field and in how they approach being challenged on a bad call.

I love and respect umpiring. I know not all will be good or great. My real fear is that many get into umpiring for the wrong reasons, like some policemen do....to flaunt authority for the way it makes them feel. The ones that truly love baseball (and the kids) want to carry on the role of decision-maker, not the self-annointed god of the diamond.

 

Dawg,
I understand your POV and I empathize with your experience with "bad" umpires who are on power trips. You and I may have gotten off to a bad start in this discussion but as I said in an earlier post I like to have a good time. I got into umpiring because I enjoy it and it's a way to give back to the game. I also try to teach kids/coaches the way the game needs to be conducted and played, not because I'm some know it all but because guys much better took the time to share it with me. I impart the same amount of respect to coaches and players that they impart to me. I can't speak for every umpire but I've worked hard to try to get better. I want to get better. Umpires need to have enough integrity to understand what they are willing to take and what they are going to address. With all due respect, speaking strictly from an umpire's POV, some coaches and players do not respect the game and understand the game and it's reflected in their conduct. The same can be said of some umpires. An example: A comment was made by someone about umpires "yelling" at coaches across the field. I get the feeling from that comment that it is acceptable for coaches to "yell" at umpires from across the field. I have news for you. If I'm on a field and a coach chooses to yell at me across the field you can bet that I will yell at him across the field. Respect is a two way street. If the coach has a concern or question, call time and come out and chat respectfully. If someone is running their mouth about balls and strikes, I'm not going to dignify their stupidity and disrespect by asking them to come out and whispering in their ear to stop. They are going to get dressed down from the dirt circle. Some that read this will say that's wrong, I will say that popping off from the dugout about balls and strikes is wrong. Umpiring is an opportunity to teach but sometimes like parenting, you have to put people in timeout. It's not personal, I try very hard to not hold grudges because it never benefits a coach, player, or umpire to do that. Umpires are held to standards by the sanctioning body that they work for but they also need to hold themselves to a high standard and strive to get better, learn the rules, handle situations, etc.

 

i mention when i can to the ones who did a good job.

there are a few i would love to see take consistency lessons and lessons on not making a call before the play actually happens.

the really good plate umps are the ones who walk in and you know what the strike zone is going to be just seeing him carry the mask.

 

I aspire to be that guy