Spazsdad wrote:What a load of crap. You always preach about the way things should be and you are constantly shown how that is not reality and yet you deny it. How come every time when someone posts what they have experienced you always dismiss it? I have been to ASA Nationals for 10+ years and have experienced almost everything described by others that you dismiss as not happening. Now it is because they are using local umpires that don't know better.. Funny at the opening ceremonies when they introduce the blues they are from all over the US. I guess the events I have been to are just not the norm in your textbook world.
I guess you are right, they are not the norm, and BTW, it isn't my textbook, but mechanics developed by people with much more experience than you and I.
I tell you what is supposed to occur and how the umpires are trained. I cannot help it if you have umpires who choose to ignore their training or don't bother getting the proper training to start. As I have noted below to Jonriv, you want umpires to be part of your league programs and do what you want, that's fine, but if you see it outside your league, I would question the umpire's credentials. That is not saying the individual may not be a good umpire, just not following the prescribed mechanics. They are there for a reason, most of which it to avoid any possible perception of partiality.
An umpire telling the UIC that any action you took was because "that is they way they do it at home" may get the umpire an early ticket home from a national. And yes, I've seen an umpire in the locker room at HOF Stadium get chewed up and spit out by the UIC because that was his explanation for an application that was way off book.
jonriv wrote:Not sure why any of these things are wrong???? especially at younger ages.
Because it is the coaches' job.
I understand the concept of trying to be "above the game" but I have always apreciated umpires that were not ony loud and decisive, but explained their calls with either voice or gestures. I think it helps the girls understand what is going on better and certainly quiets the parents down. IMO the umpires are part of the education process of the players and should be there to help teach as well(in this case rules, field procedures etc..... The earlier they learn these things the better. Coaches who scream and yell are no help either- between inning talks with umpires by the coach and then explaining what happened to the players(and the parents) is a great teaching moment. In my home town, the HS Football coaches wife has informal "meeting" with the Moms to go over films from previous games. They bring in guest referees and coaches to explain what is happening on the films (all at someone's very eleborate home theater) Knowledge is power- wish more TB coaches would take the time to explain what is going on to the parents
It is not a matter of being "above the game", but a non-partisan involved in the game. If you want your league umpires to be part of the education process, that is fine assuming they are your league umpires. For that matter, many UICs would be more than happy to converse with the coaches and help them out, prior to the season. Many HS associations do just that with "play days" where the umpires are quite open with the coaches in helping them understand why certain things can be done or are against the rules. I always opened any umpire clinic, state or otherwise, to anyone interested. However, rarely had a coach take me up on the open door policy. However, once you start keeping score, that umpire must detach him/herself from the teams.
The concept of an umpire being a whole separate part of the game is not new and in most cases, expected. That make me wonder why so many people think that every aspect of the game is about the player? Coaches, parents, league, etc. sure, there priority is the player. The umpire is the sole part of the game that shouldn't be about anything BUT the game. The umpire's job is to officiate a sporting contest by the rules upon which all teams agree to participate. This expectation is one reason I have found over the past 15 years that it is hard to get umpires to work lower age brackets in league play. Umpires are not trained to be coaches, they are trained to be umpires. For that matter, many umpires are not trained to be instructors, either.