Umpire Inattention

[MTR]

I guess he's to chicken to call a baseball game.

What an assinine statement to make on a softball board!

[wadeintothem]

IYou folks on Heybucket do not seem to be the problem umpires that I see. I have watched your posts and you seem to be very professional in your approach to the job. I just wonder if additional training or ASA requirements for new umpires needs to be addressed. Maybe even a system of self policing were umpires can anonymously report problem umpires. Another method would be to hire professional umpire watchers who would watch random games and have the power to decertify umpires that they observe doing stupid things. (like not paying attention or making obviously bad calls time after time).

Thats a timely post. We instituted essentially paid "umpire watchers" in our area at most tournaments.

While the economy has put a lot of greens out there, give me a rook who tries over a 20 year vet who hasnt picked up a rule book in 19 years any day. We told our umpires: with the deluge of umpires, we can be choosy. We'll see how it works out.

Now that is not to say there are not obvious flaws in your rant which give it the sour grapes tone (and there may be some of that and thats not all bad - when you are emotionally vested in out comes, that happens) - some points are well taken. As MTR said though, there is no harsher critic than an umpire, especially one who knows what to watch from.

I always hear the jokes about blind umpires. You know, the seeing eye dog thing. LOL.. But seriously, is there any requirement for umpires to have their vision checked on a routine basis?

No

Anyway, I never have seen it so bad as this year. Maybe it is just a bunch of new umpires. Maybe not. If enough parents coaches, managers take the time to compile evidence and write the powers that be. Maybe something will be done about it.

Its early in the season. There is a saying in Minor League umpiring "3rd world play breeds 3rd world calls". Right now the play is at a low level and the officiating is at a low level. Its pre season. Pre season is used to put the noobs out there and get their feet wet.

Chillax

This post is not about bashing umpires. It is about what can be done about a growing problem in the softball community. It is obvious by other posts and conversations with others that I am not the only one seeing this as a growing issue. I had a conversation with an umpire recently who actually brought up the problem in the conversation. He has been seeing it more and more as well.

Problem is the complaint has been exactly like this .. for years, with no change.

Just like any job. You have folks who do a terrible job and folks who are outstanding. No other job with the exception of judges get to work with total impunity. There should be a method in place for dealing with the bad apples.

That last person that works with total impunity is an umpire. There are evaluations and UICs and upper level umpires watching an umpires every move. If you are using a contracted umpire association, there is an existing chain of command. I can assure you, those in the upper chain care deeply about good officiating. If coaches and TD choose not to use it, that is on them. That does not mean it does not exist. So when I know your statement is patently untrue in most cases, especially tournament and HS ball, then how could I agree with it? Of course if you are passing the hat and bringing in an umpire, then you get what you pay for.

This is not an attack on you, but the simple reality is you are not qualified to properly evaluate and judge an umpire. You have no understanding of how umpire management works and you are biased in your appraisal. Thats a statement of fact, not an attack.

Let me give you an example:
You say a call is made 3-6 seconds early.

So, the average slow runner can get to a base is say 3 seconds. The pitch delivery is of course less than a second. So the actual implication of your critique, if I took it at face value, is that on a batted ball, the umpire is making the call at 1B before the ball is even pitched and hit. Or when running, before the player is two bases from the play.

This would not be a worthwhile critique to address to an umpire because that is not happening. His timing is probably messed up so to the untrained eye who is emotionally vested in the out come of the call and prone to exaggeration - you state 3-6 seconds. Its probably less than a second, but bad timing in a umpire GLARES. So you see that, even if your critique is wrong; youve been around long enough to know good timing. An umpire trainer could look at a call and determine proper timing and why the timing was missed up and his critique would have real value to another umpire.

This is the umpire board, so you understand you posted here to get responses from umpires? You could have posted in your state and we would have never saw the post.

This board is prone to pile on an umpire so to be clear, I'm not attacking you - I'm just critiquing evaluation of umpires in general by those who are not qualified to do so. You may know they "suck" and you may be 100% correct - that critique is not a valuable tool for probing and getting appropriate response or training information to and from other umpires. That is more of a fan based issue where they can assuage your anger with other equally exaggerated rants.

I do appreciate your post and it is a fun convo. Some times its hard to convey what I mean and it gets taken wrong so I hope you take this is the spirit intended. I am someone who is pretty rough on umpires and especially myself - so there is no "air of perfection" of an umpire from me.

[Skarp]

That is a two way street, Bubba. You never seem to be shy about instant condemnation of the umpire, in general.

Feel free to point out where I've condemned (instantly or otherwise) any umpire in ANY post, EVER. My only point has been that any time anyone dares come on here with a complaint about an umpire, or a particular call, etc., you guys are invariably first in line to tell him how stupid or out of line he is.

Contrary to your random assumption, I have nothing whatsoever against umps. But persistent attempts to chill discussion of certain topics on this forum are another matter entirely. Hence this little dance that we do. They post. You criticize. I criticize your criticism. We lob a few insults back and forth, then we kiss and make up. This isn't the first time, and I'm sure it won't be the last.

Now, here's a big smooch for you. Muah!

[watcher]

How many times have you and/or MTR belittled someone for relating their personal observation--whether or not you were even in the same state as the actual event?

Actually, what I find comical is the point many on here make that if it is said by an umpire it must be a defensive attack of a personal nature. The "umpire is always wrong" mantra is boring. God forbid an umpire make light of a situation or offer an alternative cause and effect.

You ever wonder how a 3B coach can see a catch on the LF line and then argue with the umpire that his runner on 1B didn't leave early? Happens all the time. How can someone keep such a close eye on every movement an umpire makes and actually see the entire play?

There are more games than there are people willing to umpire. And that will always be as long as the "softball community" maintains an "if we play, there will be umpires" attitude. Yeah, there are guys and gals out there that don't belong, but I've said it before, what are your alternatives? No umpire? I do not condone the lazy umpire or the one who is in it for the money and couldn't care less about the job they are doing (BTW, with the economy, expect to see a lot more of these "greens" working games). But, at least, they are making an effort to fill a void the softball community created.

Absent knowledge to the contrary, why not try giving someone the benefit of the doubt.

That is a two way street, Bubba. You never seem to be shy about instant condemnation of the umpire, in general.

Maybe your "sour grapes" assumption doesn't apply to everyone.

Ya think? You will not believe it, but the umpires most severe and demanding critic is an umpire.

After all, if the glove don't fit, you must acquit.

As dumb as it sounded, it worked, didn't it? It was such a strong sound byte, you are still referrencing it.

Go with the USC & give them the heave-ho

[sb junkie]

I guess he's to chicken to call a baseball game.

What an assinine statement to make on a softball board!

Just as assinine as discussing geopolitics and movies.So what!

[MTR]

I guess he's to chicken to call a baseball game.

What an assinine statement to make on a softball board!

Just as assinine as discussing geopolitics and movies.So what!

So, how many years did you umpire baseball?

[GSB]

Now that is not to say there are not obvious flaws in your rant which give it the sour grapes tone (and there may be some of that and thats not all bad - when you are emotionally vested in out comes, that happens) - some points are well taken.

I am sorry you take the post as a rant. I thought I made it perfectly clear that some of the calls were for my team, some against and most not even involving my team. I guess being an umpire would make you quick to see it that way. You know getting hollered at all the time and being very defensive. Was truly meant as a serious post about a growing problem and what can be done about it.

As you pointed out, there is not any requirement for umpires to have their vision checked on a regular basis. That alone is a huge red flag for me. How can any certifying body be taken even remotely serious if they don't even require the basics in order to be certified.

On a side note. A few years back we were at a tournament in Los Angeles area. One of the umpires came out looking like Mr. Magoo. The glasses on this guy had to be an inch thick. He actually did a great job but the comments, well I guess you had to be there.

[Bretman]

Not sure how a vision check would help with the problem you first mentioned- umpires not watching the play. Even 20/20 x-ray microscopic vision won't do much good if you're looking the wrong direction!

[GSB]

Not sure how a vision check would help with the problem you first mentioned- umpires not watching the play. Even 20/20 x-ray microscopic vision won't do much good if you're looking the wrong direction!

Good point, but an annual vision check could help with other situations. They make coaches and managers do that stupid Ace test. A vision check should be the first thing asked for by any certifying agency.

[sb junkie]

I guess he's to chicken to call a baseball game.

What an assinine statement to make on a softball board!

Just as assinine as discussing geopolitics and movies.So what!

So, how many years did you umpire baseball?

Zero.S.B. is the game.