Umpires Creating Havoc

Hi Coach9

I have had days like that! YEEEECHHH!!!

I just wrote an eloquent post and the board glitched it. You would have loved it though. You have been around awhile, and know I have umped a lot over the years, and have posted thanking them for their efforts. see knowledge base.

You also know that I am the first to defend them, even though I know there have to be as many goofball umps as there are goofy managers.

I read another post here that made me want to whip out my violin. There are a FEW umps who are so full of themselves with the rules of the game or league, that they forgot RULE NUMBER ONE: WE ARE OUT THERE ON BEHALF OF THE KIDS! Speaking personally, if my wife spoke to me through the fence...I HAD BETTER LISTEN! AND I HAD BETTER ACKNOWLEDGE HER! Screw the league! She is my life partner, and my beloved.

And I explain to the parents that it is against the rules for them to talk to the kids at certain times. Nevertheless, if a kid gets dinged and a mom or dad finds themself on the field carrying that crumpled body off, and some umpire starts screaming at them...or me, I will simply tell him to go do improbable things with himself and then I will forfeit the game...ON PURPOSE!

THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME MUST TRANSCEND PETTY RULES!!! OR NONE OF US SHOULD WANT TO BE THERE!!!

Some umpires make me want to puke, and some umpires are the finest men and women I know. Its sort of like the Presidency of The United States. I do respect the Office, but IN AMERICA I DO NOT HAVE TO RESPECT A MAN WHO SHOWS SUCH DISRESPECT FOR HIS OWN OFFICE!!!

He works for you and me, ump or President. If he is stupid...fire him!!!

My general rule when umping is to keep my mouth SHUT except for "Strike, Ball, your out, Safe, and FOULBALL!!

Finally, I have always voted against hired umps. I would ump a MLB game per week and feel honored to do it free. I always liked managers to ump in youth leagues, 'cause what goes around comes around...in spades!

Best regards
Kenneth Bean