| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| zwndad |
Posted - 03/24/2010 : 14:56:29
THIS IS NOT AN UMPIRE-BASHING POST.
Like everybody else, I have read a lot about the shortage of really good umpires around here. The problem (OK, a blessing, not a problem) is the number of kids from age 4 - 18 that are playing baseball. The growth in youth baseball, especially competitive youth baseball, in Georgia is clearly out-pacing the growth in quality umpires.
First off - don't blame the umpires for bad calls. They need to (1)know and apply the rules and (2)keep players, coaches and fans from getting out of control. Other than that, they're all trying to do their best.
Here's the deal. If you want better umpires, then either become one or recruit baseball guys to become umpires. We just need more, so that we can improve the quality. If we have enough, then the weaker umpires will end up in the rec leagues and the stronger ones will be in travel and high school.
But don't ever forget. These guys do this on the weekend for pocket money. If they were ever going to be awesome, they would be in the pros.
Thoughts? This is just my 2 cents.
Last thing - take it easy on the young ones. If they hang with it, they may be great veterans one day.
Last thing to the TDs out there. Please, if at all possible, always pair up the young ones with the veterans so they can learn. |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kingofthehill |
Posted - 03/30/2010 : 11:02:59
I lot of umpires I see seem to be in it as a money grab. I am not saying they shouldn't be paid. They should be paid handsomely if they are good. But They do not try to get better and they think we are there to watch them umpire. I realize there will be a blown call now and then. But I saw a fellow this weekend that looked to be in his 50s that clearly had no business umpiring. He didnt know the rules and he was very inconsistent. And he barked at our coach that he had been doing this for 20 years. Well, I would think that after 20 years he would have aquired a set of skills that would have made him more consistent and in control of the game. Fans and coaches can smell blood and they can smell a bad umpire. But this guys ego made him the center of attention from both teams. In my business if someone doesn't have a certain level of skill and professionalism...they get fired. quote:
Originally posted by baseballpapa
I know gasbag is a good man and I also know that he is right that sometimes way too much complaining is done about the umpiring and I agree with him 100% but then there is the other side of the coin. The umpires that gasbag is referring to is the ones that really do the best they can and still miss one every now and then.
Then there is the other side of the coin and that is the umpire that is not qualified and should never been assigned to a major division game. I think that this is the umpire that we are all seeing more of than we are used to but if you read the posts it appears that the demand for quality umpiring might be greater than the supply of good umpires available therefore the issues we have been reading about.
gas is right in thinking that all of us as parents could do a better job of knowing the difference between the 2 examples above and even if it is bad we should made every effort not to make as big a jacka-- of ourselves as the umpire is making of the game. We all need to settle down a little and let the kids play and have some fun.
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| whits23 |
Posted - 03/30/2010 : 06:38:23
I would like to see all umps put timers on fence. I saw a game this weekend where the ump said no new inning after 9.22pm then at 9pm after the home team made 3rd out he called ball game over. Claiming his watch timer went off. Maybe it did but why tell a team one time and stop game at another time?
Another ump threated to eject a player who mildly threw a bat after he hit the ball..is that a rule? I questioned him further and he admitted he could not eject him but wanted to make a point..ok but what is the rule? make your point with rules not threats |
| 11baseball11 |
Posted - 03/29/2010 : 10:56:50
As much as we all like to blast umpires I think it's only right to give them credit also when it is deserved.
This weekend at the Georgia invitational, I thought the umpires where the best we had seen all year by far. They where consistent and in control of the game and I think they even got all the close calls right that I saw.
A huge thumbs up for East Metro Umpires for a job well done. I would encourage any TD looking for ump to give them a try. |
| coachtony |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 22:10:25
quote:
Originally posted by PS Iron Pigs
I know we can all pin-point an umpire's mistake that cost us the game, but did it really? Was there a play during the game that would've made the missed call a moot point?
There are some very good points made in this thread but I felt this one deserved to be read again.....I agree 100%, PSIP!! Nicely said.
--T
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| baseballpapa |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 15:52:31
I know gasbag is a good man and I also know that he is right that sometimes way too much complaining is done about the umpiring and I agree with him 100% but then there is the other side of the coin. The umpires that gasbag is referring to is the ones that really do the best they can and still miss one every now and then.
Then there is the other side of the coin and that is the umpire that is not qualified and should never been assigned to a major division game. I think that this is the umpire that we are all seeing more of than we are used to but if you read the posts it appears that the demand for quality umpiring might be greater than the supply of good umpires available therefore the issues we have been reading about.
gas is right in thinking that all of us as parents could do a better job of knowing the difference between the 2 examples above and even if it is bad we should made every effort not to make as big a jacka-- of ourselves as the umpire is making of the game. We all need to settle down a little and let the kids play and have some fun. |
| gasbag |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 13:54:48
I'm a paid professional....I don't have parents curse at me, yell at me and debate me for everything that I do... so why should umpiring or reffing be any different ? They get paid to call them as they see them. Most do not do it for the money but because they like the sport.
It seems that some think that since they are compensated, they should be perfect and never make mistakes, and since they are paid, it is their right to challenge the umpires over every ball and strike and bark and complain. Perhaps we should not compensate any umpires at all. Then we can have all the complaining parents umpiring and reffing. If there is no pay, then maybe we should expect more mistakes...if no pay, maybe we wouldn't hear the complaining about the officiating but more about how much time it's taking out of your schedule to umpire ?
You play any game long enough, some calls will go your way and some calls won't. In the end they even out. I challenge us parents to to get involved and start officiating these sporting events. I think you'll find it's not as easy as some might think ! |
| PS Iron Pigs |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 13:47:06
I'll take the missed calls (to a point), but NOT knowing the rules isn't a good situation. The coaches are expected to know the rules of play, so I don't think it's too much to ask for the umpires to do the same. That being said, we've always taught our kids to play good ball and don't leave the game in the umpires hand. I know we can all pin-point an umpire's mistake that cost us the game, but did it really? Was there a play during the game that would've made the missed call a moot point? |
| zwndad |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 13:00:58
Good points, and I agree with all of your points. Do it because you love it (it can't possibly be worth the money if you don't), have a thick skin and a good attitude, and work to get better each time out. I hope we can get more and more guys who love the game to jump in and do it. |
| BaseballMomof2 |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 10:25:32
I am very grateful for the folks who are willing to take on umpiring and put up with abuse from parents, etc, so that our boys can play ball. However, umpires are paid for what they do. Being paid makes it a job. Paid jobs have an expectation of performance.
I believe umpiring to be one of those jobs that, if you aren't in it because you love doing it, you should not be doing it. It's not a 'doing it for the money' kind of job. |
| in_the_know |
Posted - 03/25/2010 : 09:40:04
I agree...with a caveat.
There are umpires who may be less skilled than others but strive to improve. There are umpires who are less skilled and allow their egos to add to the problem.
The latter is what I take issue with. Similarly, coaches and players who are humble, work to improve and learn are tolerated far more than those who tend to never be wrong or make excuses or place blame for their shortcomings.
Some of the best umpires I've seen are the young kids who are tolerant, realize their role and work to improve. It takes thick skin. Some of these guys/gals need to take a long hard look and take that into consideration before jumping onboard. If they are doing it for pocket change, then they need to make a solid effort. Just like the guy who may do a little landscaping on the side for pocket change. If he scalps the bermuda and mows over the roses, he is opening himself up to justifiable criticism. |
| Alter-Ego |
Posted - 03/24/2010 : 23:29:47
I think you are absolutely right. There is such a flood of tournaments that it is hard to have good umpires cover all events. |
