UmpSteve wrote:MTR and I have been colleagues and friends for about 20 years; he is still active on several other softball sites. While he has never specifically said so, I believe he is done with this board, as so many of his posts were met with animosity, derision, and disrespect that he didn't deserve. Remaining loyal and committed to ASA in face of opposition simply shouldn't be treated as a character flaw; but it was.
Some very selective and convenient rationalizing there. MTR regularly treats other posters - especially non-umpires - with derision and disrespect, so it is extremely hypocritical for him to object to others treating him likewise. He does it unprovoked, so don't try to excuse it as strictly retaliatory. He reaps what he sows.
Battle regularly instigated exchanges as a big ASA homer on here and MTR probably took/takes any criticism of ASA/USA personally due to his long service to the org, regardless of whether it was directed toward him or not. That's on him, not us.
MTR expressed a strong disdain for SoCal that preceded PGF and its rise exacerbated it. PGF dethroned ASA as the preeminent fastpitch national championship and in the process destroyed his beloved umpire hierarchy where working ASA Gold Nats was the pinnacle.
I respect MTR's knowledge and past service, but not his boorish behavior.
Thanks for the update on Wade. He was a valued contributor about rules on here. He and others like yourself were very helpful in explaining rules and MTR's cryptic/esoteric posts.