I just got back into umpiring after about 20 years out of it to follow my son's sports career. He's still playing football at EKU but works as an umpire when his spring practice allows it. This past week we got to do a high school game together. He was behind the plate and I was on the bases for the varsity game, vice versa for the JV game. It's been very enjoyable so far. The coaches, players and fans in the 3 games that I've had so far have been very respectful.

 

But I've also yet to have any real controversial calls...I'm sure that will change.

It has become too commonplace for disrespectful behavior towards umps, refs, etc. I HATE it!! There is no reason for the yelling, screaming and derogatory comments towards them from fans and especially coaches. I think schools, leagues, and the umps and refs themselves need to stop tolerating it.

Maybe it's just me but I thought the letter was weak. While his points are spot on about fans and coaches it comes across as "don't be mean to me because I'm not a pro and I try hard." If you're going to do it do it right and accept what comes with it. It has a whiny feel to me.

 

You know going in that most fans and many coaches do not know the rules. If your expectation is that they should then you're in the wrong business. If ignorant (literally - not the "mean" definition) yell at you when you're 100% right and that bothers you - go sit with them.

 

It's not for everyone but don't cry when you don't like reactions you get.

 

I think it's "just you" on this one. I think everyone involved (coaches, parents, players) needs reminding periodically...

Umpiring is a paid job....whether its Game 7 or a regular-season game, a good umpire officiates and makes consistently correct calls. Everything else is just irrelevant drama when it comes to umpiring.

As a volunteer, however, umpires are probably held to a standard that their skill can't provide....and it shouldn't be expected. Regardless, umpires deserve tremendous respect....that's part of the game on any level..

I have some things to say as my son starts another season of playing baseball.

 

First, as a parent, I'm responsible for taxiing my son to every game/practice/workout. This requires getting permission to leave work early, late dinners, no spring break vacation, a lot of money,and sacrificing time with other family member, with 4-6 HS games every week. My wife is not a sports fan, so baseball season can create stress between us at times. I do receive some satisfaction and great memories for my efforts and in exchange for these sacrifices.

 

Umpires, it's your responsibility to know the rules of the game, and to call each game fairly. Don't expect my silence when you make what are clearly bad calls. I just recently had to break my silence during a game when my son was struck out twice on bad pitches. I held my tongue the first time, but not the second. During his last at bat, he was in a 10+ pitch battle, had a full count with 2 outs and bases loaded. The catcher sets up for an outside strike and had to reach out and high to catch what was clearly ball 4, but instead was called out with a backwards K. Yes, I understand umpires make mistakes, but when it's clear to everyone at the field but you, expect to hear it from me. You need to understand when you make these bad calls it can sometimes have a lasting effect on a player. Instead of 0/1 with 2 BBs, 1 RBI and .667 OBP, my son ended up 0/3 with 2 backwards Ks and a .000 OBP. That difference can very well determine whether or not he plays/starts in the next game with many players fighting for a spot in the lineup early in the season. So yeah, you're going to hear it from me when you make these kind of bad calls. I can get emotional, and how can you expect me not to be when we have so much invested into this game.

 

Also, I'm tired of hearing about the respect we should automatically have for umpires. Respect should be earned, not given. So stop whining about parents comments and learn to do well what you are PAID to do! Then you'll have my respect. Where do you think that money comes from anyway? Some of it's from my back pocket, and when I pay for a service, I expect it to be done well. Not perfect, but well.

Spoken like a true parent. What does that 1st paragraph have to do with anything? You are not the only one who has to sacrifice things for the season. I'm sure there are officials who have to leave work early, eat a quick hot dog or two before the game and for sure, they sacrifice a lot of time.

 

Good luck to your son.

The first paragraph was in response to some of the umpire's statements in his article, particularly about his sacrifices as a "compensated volunteer" (oxymoron)...they just don't compare to those of a parent.

I have some things to say as my son starts another season of playing baseball.

 

First, as a parent, I'm responsible for taxiing my son to every game/practice/workout. This requires getting permission to leave work early, late dinners, no spring break vacation, a lot of money,and sacrificing time with other family member, with 4-6 HS games every week. My wife is not a sports fan, so baseball season can create stress between us at times. I do receive some satisfaction and great memories for my efforts and in exchange for these sacrifices.

 

Umpires, it's your responsibility to know the rules of the game, and to call each game fairly. Don't expect my silence when you make what are clearly bad calls. I just recently had to break my silence during a game when my son was struck out twice on bad pitches. I held my tongue the first time, but not the second. During his last at bat, he was in a 10+ pitch battle, had a full count with 2 outs and bases loaded. The catcher sets up for an outside strike and had to reach out and high to catch what was clearly ball 4, but instead was called out with a backwards K. Yes, I understand umpires make mistakes, but when it's clear to everyone at the field but you, expect to hear it from me. You need to understand when you make these bad calls it can sometimes have a lasting effect on a player. Instead of 0/1 with 2 BBs, 1 RBI and .667 OBP, my son ended up 0/3 with 2 backwards Ks and a .000 OBP. That difference can very well determine whether or not he plays/starts in the next game with many players fighting for a spot in the lineup early in the season. So yeah, you're going to hear it from me when you make these kind of bad calls. I can get emotional, and how can you expect me not to be when we have so much invested into this game.

 

Also, I'm tired of hearing about the respect we should automatically have for umpires. Respect should be earned, not given. So stop whining about parents comments and learn to do well what you are PAID to do! Then you'll have my respect. Where do you think that money comes from anyway? Some of it's from my back pocket, and when I pay for a service, I expect it to be done well. Not perfect, but well.

 

You're the type that I throw out the first time I hear you say ANYTHING. I'm not one to teach parenting skills, but don't you think you're teaching your son that when something isn't "fair" or "right" that you yell at the problem until it turns "fair"? LIFE'S NOT FAIR. My daughter is 2 and whenever/if she picks up softball, I solemnly promised myself that I would not be the parent that you are portraying. Did yelling at the umpire make him change his call? I would say that your son still walked back to the dugout even after your tirade. Best of luck to you and your family, just hope you think about your actions.

The first paragraph was in response to some of the umpire's statements in his article, particularly about his sacrifices as a "compensated volunteer" (oxymoron)...they just don't compare to those of a parent.

 

You're right. A parent has to be there for their kid; an official doesn't. They are there anyway though and not all are doing it for the big bucks. Some like to be there to help the kids get better instead of being home helping their own family get better at something.

 

Also, I'm tired of hearing about the respect we should automatically have for umpires. Respect should be earned, not given.

 

You're so off base (pun intended) on this one, it's not funny. The umpire is the authority figure (just like the parent, police officer, teacher, clergy, etc.), and respect should be given on that basis alone.

 

You have to remember, that the majority of decisions an umpire/referee makes are judgement calls. If they misinterpret a rule, you have every right to question the call. But if you disagree with their judgement (ball/strike, safe/out, fair/foul), you have to respect that.

You're the type that I throw out the first time I hear you say ANYTHING. I'm not one to teach parenting skills, but don't you think you're teaching your son that when something isn't "fair" or "right" that you yell at the problem until it turns "fair"? LIFE'S NOT FAIR. My daughter is 2 and whenever/if she picks up softball, I solemnly promised myself that I would not be the parent that you are portraying. Did yelling at the umpire make him change his call? I would say that your son still walked back to the dugout even after your tirade. Best of luck to you and your family, just hope you think about your actions.

 

I'm not the parent you would throw out of the game as I've never been thrown out before. I don't yell, you just assumed so. However, I will let an umpire know how I feel if they make multiple bad calls and why I feel that way. One doesn't have to yell to be critical. But one should be critical of a service they pay for. That's what I teach my kids. You're right, life isn't always "fair" or "right", but when it isn't one doesn't have to take it laying down.

I'm not the parent you would throw out of the game as I've never been thrown out before. I don't yell, you just assumed so. However, I will let an umpire know how I feel if they make multiple bad calls and why I feel that way. One doesn't have to yell to be critical. But one should be critical of a service they pay for. That's what I teach my kids. You're right, life isn't always "fair" or "right", but when it isn't one doesn't have to take it laying down.

 

Agreed with your last sentence, but it's just a game. I am the most competitive person on BGP, only 24 years old, and have quickly figured out how miniscule getting worked up about games really is. I admire the passion you have for your son and for taking up for him, but let his coach do that. If you don't have enough trust in your sons coach to get on the umpire about a misinterpretation of a rule, then do you trust him to be coaching your son in the first place? I'm a firm believer in the parents being cheerleaders, and the coaches being the coaches/umpire judges. To each his own though, this thread in no way shape or form will stop parents from being too harsh at games. I know that it's just part of it. I just wish you would think about it.

Aviator can sit behind me all day and let me know he disagrees as long as he does it properly and it's not a matter of volume. It's WHAT he says that will determine if he stays or leaves. Umpires can't be sensitive. As soon as you are you've failed.

A customer of mine in Lancaster,OH and I were talking today as he used to be a JV coach. He was in the 3rd base box and said "You missed that one , blue." Later in the game he said "that's two, blue."

 

Umpire called time and told him "If I miss another one you're out of here." That's pretty funny. The coach even laughed.