Texas Umpires

[Fasterpitch]

My DD participated in the Blaze tournament over the weekend. I have the say that the umpires in the 14U division made several obvious mistakes. They were out of position most of the time and made some bad calls. I know that they are not perfect and we can not expected them to be, but we can ask for them to be better.

What can we do to get competent umpires. I understand that they come out in the heat, but we are paying them for a service. I know it will get better, but something has to be done.

The tournament was good and I guess it did not change the games. The best team of the weekend ( in my opinion) won in the end.

I hate to complain but it seems like umpires are a hot topic on this board.

[DonnieS]

>> They were out of position most of the time <<

You cant say that " most of the time ". I saw most of the tournament - the worst thing I saw was some inconsistant strike zones - but that was one blue, the others were fine.

[Fasterpitch]

Yeah, your right to a point. Saying that they were out of position most of the time is probably wrong. There were several times that it did occur, and when it did it caused problems. That is one thing that just bothers me. If they get in the right spot they can see the plays and not have to guess. I understand that "things happen" and you get in a bad spot. I just wish in these occasions that they would start in the right spot.

I did not comment on the strike zones. Those are normally the umpires opinion and complaining to them about it only seems to make them tighten up.

[wadeintothem]

My DD participated in the Blaze tournament over the weekend. I have the say that the umpires in the 14U division made several obvious mistakes. They were out of position most of the time and made some bad calls. I know that they are not perfect and we can not expected them to be, but we can ask for them to be better.

What can we do to get competent umpires. I understand that they come out in the heat, but we are paying them for a service. I know it will get better, but something has to be done.

The tournament was good and I guess it did not change the games. The best team of the weekend ( in my opinion) won in the end.

I hate to complain but it seems like umpires are a hot topic on this board.

I think those of you who could do better should become umpires! You obviously understand umpire positioning. That is a great start! Seems to me from the various Texas threads that TX could use some quality people. So, do it! You probably understand it all well enough to just pay your dues and start right up. Save the clinics for next year. Texas ASA Needs You!

Go for it!

[375_comp __47_core]

This is about the 3rd thread started on this board in the past week or so concerning Umpires in Central Texas. This is nothing more than continuing to "stir the pot" on a topic that has very little to do with "Top 10 Teams - TX"

Please take the umpire whining somewhere else. There will be at least 1-2 calls every game that are close or questionable and one side will be happy with the call and one will not. In the end these usually even out and maybe every 15-20 games or so will one actually alter the outcome of the game.

Coaches and players make mistake after mistake from game to game and umpires make bad calls too...its all part of the game. Play the game well enough and these occassional calls won't hurt you.

There are bad calls at the highest level. One of the worst I have witnessed was in the final game of the Softball World Cup last year in OKC (USA v Japan). Two outs in the 7th with USA winning and Cat in total control of the game. Umpire called runner at 1B out on a "look-back" rule....out #3 game over. Neither side was happy with the call and replays could not detect what prompted the call...in the end it probably only mattered in Cat's strikeout total.

[SoftballJunkie2]

I am not from texas, but my opinion on umpires.

I do not like "make-up" calls. Do the best to call correctly and if you make a mistake - go on.

In my opinion, making a mistake isn't near as bad as making 2 bad calls to make up for the 1st one. The kids put their heart and soul into playing. They deserve the best the umpire can do.

It is a hard job. And just because I think the girls was safe/out or ball/strike - I'm not out there. But when the umpire chats with the grandpa camped out behind the plate and starts talking about strike zones between innings. I loose respect for that umpire. Talk about the weather - favorite pro team - fishing - but DO not give the apprearance of being influenced. Both teams work hard - keep the strike zone consistant and call to the best of their ability.

[d19softball]

There are bad calls at the highest level. One of the worst I have witnessed was in the final game of the Softball World Cup last year in OKC (USA v Japan). Two outs in the 7th with USA winning and Cat in total control of the game. Umpire called runner at 1B out on a "look-back" rule....out #3 game over. Neither side was happy with the call and replays could not detect what prompted the call...in the end it probably only mattered in Cat's strikeout total.

I believe that umpire was from central tx too....

[d19softball]

quote from yplayAwhenyoucanplayB

Amen---------- People............the biggest problem here is the umpires. I'm telling you....the crew that runs around San Marcos/Seguin/New Braunfels..........they are LAZY. They are a few reasonable, quality blues, but the majority need help. Are those guys even ASA certified? My DD played Colleg...

Hello My name is Raul and if you would like certification to be an ASA umpire give me a call or shoot me over a message. Many umpires are proud of what they do. If you feel you have the ability to umpire feel free to come out anytime I will hold a spot open for you. It is easy to post here when you are heard but not seen. I think it is personal with one of the umpires why dont you ask him what yalls problem is instead of trying to bring the whole group down. I d even let you walk a mile in my shoes. So when you are ready to suit up send me a message. It is eazy to call somone lazy when you are sitting in the shade drinkin cold drinks where you always have the best angle. Thank you for your time.

Raul Hidalgo

[slapper]

quote from yplayAwhenyoucanplayB

Amen---------- People............the biggest problem here is the umpires. I'm telling you....the crew that runs around San Marcos/Seguin/New Braunfels..........they are LAZY. They are a few reasonable, quality blues, but the majority need help. Are those guys even ASA certified? My DD played Colleg...

Hello My name is Raul and if you would like certification to be an ASA umpire give me a call or shoot me over a message. Many umpires are proud of what they do. If you feel you have the ability to umpire feel free to come out anytime I will hold a spot open for you. It is easy to post here when you are heard but not seen. I think it is personal with one of the umpires why dont you ask him what yalls problem is instead of trying to bring the whole group down. I d even let you walk a mile in my shoes. So when you are ready to suit up send me a message. It is eazy to call somone lazy when you are sitting in the shade drinkin cold drinks where you always have the best angle. Thank you for your time.

Raul Hidalgo

Raul,

The bottom line is there are some good and and some terrible umpires allowed to suit up. It must also be the responsibliity of the other umpires who do a good job to police themselves. Do not allow yourself to be lumped in by allowing yourself to call games or be the uic of a tournament with sub-standard co-workers. They will bring you down. Also you may say how easy it is to sit in the shade with cold drinks and call games but the fans have paid their gate fee's to be able to do just that. The umps have also been paid to perform job and not one of you would be happy working with someone who gets paid the same and does half the work. If the money is not enough don't do it. When I see great, hustling umpires I make it a point to tell them how did as well as the TD. When they suck the TD will also here about it. Maybe instead of pointing the finger and saying "if you think it easy you come do it" remeber you are being paid, the players, fans and many coaches are not. If you think its easy to sit and watch someone you paid be lazy and do half the job of someone else you try it. Do you tip the waiter or waitress the same no matter how the service is? I don't.

[YplayAwhenucanplayB]

It's about hustling and being approachable.............I'll admit.....umps blow calls, coaches make stupid decisions, young players make errors, fans make calls with bad angles.........but what is the truth is a ump NOT Hustling, ump who makes a scene (which there is allot with the San Marcos/NB/Seguin crew), and umps who are unapproachable. Every heard of the, the good officials are the ones that "aren't noticed"??? I've seen allot of softball played all over the state......and the worse of the bunch comes from that area. Houston and Dallas are by far better....and you wonder why allot of those teams don't like to travel to Central Texas.
Don't get me wrong......there are some good officials from that crew....but more than half shouldn't be on the field......and it has nothing to do with blown calls.