22 replies to this topic

[JHSump]

...or at least it was certainly a different experience than the usual.

Let me preface this story by saying the highest level I have umpired is HS. Mostly I've done lower ages than that.

Ok, here we go...12U district all-star tournament, involving teams mostly from within about 30 minutes drive (farthest team had to drive about 1.5 hours to get to the tournament).

In tonight's game I was BU. There is a banger at 1B and I call the BR out. Fans for the OT react negatively, as you might expect, but this time they call me by my last name! It's not "C'mon Blue!" Instead it's "C'mon ________!" !!

I've never had that happen before. I felt kinda honored! At least they didn't call me "Blue"!

Of course, I didn't acknowledge any remarks, or even look over there. But I chuckled a little to myself when I got to short RF between innings.

Now the only explanation I can come up with is that some of the fans actually listened when the umpires names were given, right after all the players and coaches were introduced. Even that is sort of interesting. I should say I live in the area, but I do not come from the OT's town, and I certainly don't personally know any of them.

I expect umpires working the minors (and certainly MLB) get harassed by name, by fans. Have any of you fellow umpires that don't work the minor or major leagues gotten yelled at by name? What were the circumstances? What did you think of it?

[mjr_2013]

I have too common a baseball kids first name (Matt) for me to notice any ridicule... I don't give my last name out at the meeting, and even if I did I probably wouldn't even notice its use.

--EDIT--
Me saying this made me think of two funny stories...

(1) During a tournament about a million kids are named Matt so I don't even notice a coach saying "Matt". I'm usd to "Blue"... One coach was trying to call time, and I didn't know it because he was saying "Matt"... I hear from the dugout "Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! MATT!! MATT!! MATT!!" And it took about that long to get me to look over because I'm not used to hearing my name used to address me... When I look over he chuckles, takes a breath, and calls for time... I grant it, he goes to his pitcher, and when I go to break it up, he tells me I should change my name... I told him "How about Matt-Call-Me-Blue?"

(2) During a different tournament, we were doing the normal introductions, and coach-with-son were in tow to the plate as a captains type thing to make the kids feel important... We are going through the intos...

Me: "I'm Matt"
One Coach: "I'm Ben"
One kid: "Jack"
and etc. until we got to the coach and son...

The Coach: "I'm Mark Steele"
The Son: "I'm Max Steele"

Every game in that entire tournament. They would give out their full names (because I'm sure they loved the last name "Steele") while everyone else gave their first only. I had to hold back a laugh after the 3rd time they did it.

[JHSump]

I have too common a baseball kids first name (Matt) for me to notice any ridicule... I don't give my last name out at the meeting, and even if I did I probably wouldn't even notice its use.

No I don't give out my last name at plate meetings either! But, the director of the tournament seems to think it sounds nice to have the umpires names announced at the beginning of each of these all-star games.

Now that I think about all this, it might not be so funny if someone decides to look me up in the local telephone directory and come egg my house!!!!!

[Matt]

No I don't give out my last name at plate meetings either! But, the director of the tournament seems to think it sounds nice to have the umpires names announced at the beginning of each of these all-star games.

Now that I think about all this, it might not be so funny if someone decides to look me up in the local telephone directory and come egg my house!!!!!

There's an easy fix for this that some of the more experienced guys know...

[JHSump]

No I don't give out my last name at plate meetings either! But, the director of the tournament seems to think it sounds nice to have the umpires names announced at the beginning of each of these all-star games.

Now that I think about all this, it might not be so funny if someone decides to look me up in the local telephone directory and come egg my house!!!!!

There's an easy fix for this that some of the more experienced guys know...

Oh, I think I know what you are referring to: say your name is Nestor Chylak (or some other hall of fame umpire that they probably won't know). As an addendum to my story I should say that a reporter for a local newspaper approached me at the end of the game and asked for my name. I looked at him for a second, thought about saying "John Conlan" but instead asked him why he wanted to know. He said I was in one of the action shots he took and he would like to put my name in the caption, if it appears in the newspaper. I didn't go the "John Conlan" route. Gave him my real name, I will see what comes of this.

Maybe I'll have to go the "Conlan" route in the future.

[JHSump]

I have too common a baseball kids first name (Matt) for me to notice any ridicule... I don't give my last name out at the meeting, and even if I did I probably wouldn't even notice its use.

--EDIT--
Me saying this made me think of two funny stories...

(1) During a tournament about a million kids are named Matt so I don't even notice a coach saying "Matt". I'm usd to "Blue"... One coach was trying to call time, and I didn't know it because he was saying "Matt"... I hear from the dugout "Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! MATT!! MATT!! MATT!!" And it took about that long to get me to look over because I'm not used to hearing my name used to address me... When I look over he chuckles, takes a breath, and calls for time... I grant it, he goes to his pitcher, and when I go to break it up, he tells me I should change my name... I told him "How about Matt-Call-Me-Blue?"

(2) During a different tournament, we were doing the normal introductions, and coach-with-son were in tow to the plate as a captains type thing to make the kids feel important... We are going through the intos...

Me: "I'm Matt"
One Coach: "I'm Ben"
One kid: "Jack"
and etc. until we got to the coach and son...

The Coach: "I'm Mark Steele"
The Son: "I'm Max Steele"

Every game in that entire tournament. They would give out their full names (because I'm sure they loved the last name "Steele") while everyone else gave their first only. I had to hold back a laugh after the 3rd time they did it.

You could use "Matthew" perhaps, It would set you apart. Or, maybe you should come up with a good pseudonym. How about "Max Steele"? Has a nice ring to it!

[Dannytheman]

I've been involved around here so long, I have people at the local convenience store and ACME market call me Blu. I always introduce myself at PC, use my whole name, and the last one isn't easy to remember. (It ain't Smith) I volunteer at other things, so I get used to meeting people. When I am stretched out at the community pool, I am approached by old coaches and kids, now fully grown who share a story or 2. I love that!!
During a game I prefer Blu, Ump or Sir.

[mstaylor]

I get called by my name all the time. I umpired half of the HS coaches in at least HS or college, some at LL. Having been involved in local baseball since 1975 I know quite a few in my area.

[mjr_2013]

I have too common a baseball kids first name (Matt) for me to notice any ridicule... I don't give my last name out at the meeting, and even if I did I probably wouldn't even notice its use.

--EDIT--
Me saying this made me think of two funny stories...

(1) During a tournament about a million kids are named Matt so I don't even notice a coach saying "Matt". I'm usd to "Blue"... One coach was trying to call time, and I didn't know it because he was saying "Matt"... I hear from the dugout "Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! MATT!! MATT!! MATT!!" And it took about that long to get me to look over because I'm not used to hearing my name used to address me... When I look over he chuckles, takes a breath, and calls for time... I grant it, he goes to his pitcher, and when I go to break it up, he tells me I should change my name... I told him "How about Matt-Call-Me-Blue?"

(2) During a different tournament, we were doing the normal introductions, and coach-with-son were in tow to the plate as a captains type thing to make the kids feel important... We are going through the intos...

Me: "I'm Matt"
One Coach: "I'm Ben"
One kid: "Jack"
and etc. until we got to the coach and son...

The Coach: "I'm Mark Steele"
The Son: "I'm Max Steele"

Every game in that entire tournament. They would give out their full names (because I'm sure they loved the last name "Steele") while everyone else gave their first only. I had to hold back a laugh after the 3rd time they did it.

You could use "Matthew" perhaps, It would set you apart. Or, maybe you should come up with a good pseudonym. How about "Max Steele"? Has a nice ring to it!

Ha. It's funny that you mention that because me and my friends have been talking about my name recently too, and how for some reason I don't understand, the name "Matthew" annoys me to hear, yet I prefer seeing it on papers.

I know that it is weird, but if I see "Matt Riley" on a program - it will annoy me... If I hear someone call me "Matthew" it will annoy me... I guess that is my OCD if I have one.

I like the pseudonym idea though!

[mstaylor]

Matt, I understand what you are saying. I go by Mike but any signature or professional credit is done as Michael S. Taylor.

[Dannytheman]

Matt, I understand what you are saying. I go by Mike but any signature or professional credit is done as Michael S. Taylor.

At least they don't call you Mikey. .. Or Matty?? I had a coach call me Danny and I nicely corrected him and said only my sisters and mother can call me that!!

[mstaylor]

Mikey is an auto eject.

[Jocko]

I'm "Fish" to coaches, players, coworkers, and colleagues. Most of my partners probably don't know my first name. Everyone but family calls me "Fish." Works for me. The few times I've been announced was at games noone knew me at. I had to sign the books anyway, so I gave them my real name. Seems there's not many kids with my 1st name these days.

[umpire_scott]

I have too common a baseball kids first name (Matt) for me to notice any ridicule... I don't give my last name out at the meeting, and even if I did I probably wouldn't even notice its use.

--EDIT--
Me saying this made me think of two funny stories...

(1) During a tournament about a million kids are named Matt so I don't even notice a coach saying "Matt". I'm usd to "Blue"... One coach was trying to call time, and I didn't know it because he was saying "Matt"... I hear from the dugout "Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! MATT!! MATT!! MATT!!" And it took about that long to get me to look over because I'm not used to hearing my name used to address me... When I look over he chuckles, takes a breath, and calls for time... I grant it, he goes to his pitcher, and when I go to break it up, he tells me I should change my name... I told him "How about Matt-Call-Me-Blue?"

(2) During a different tournament, we were doing the normal introductions, and coach-with-son were in tow to the plate as a captains type thing to make the kids feel important... We are going through the intos...

Me: "I'm Matt"
One Coach: "I'm Ben"
One kid: "Jack"
and etc. until we got to the coach and son...

The Coach: "I'm Mark Steele"
The Son: "I'm Max Steele"

Every game in that entire tournament. They would give out their full names (because I'm sure they loved the last name "Steele") while everyone else gave their first only. I had to hold back a laugh after the 3rd time they did it.

You could use "Matthew" perhaps, It would set you apart. Or, maybe you should come up with a good pseudonym. How about "Max Steele"? Has a nice ring to it!

Sounds like a porn star name.

[HokieUmp]

The Son: "I'm Max Steele"

Every game in that entire tournament. They would give out their full names (because I'm sure they loved the last name "Steele") while everyone else gave their first only. I had to hold back a laugh after the 3rd time they did it.

I don't know.... if my name was "Max Steele," I'm pretty sure I'd say it all the time, too. Probably get me a bunch of T-shirts that say "I'm Max Steele" printed on them. In the letter-size like the old "Wham!" video. (For those of you old enough to remember that.

[mjr_2013]

I have too common a baseball kids first name (Matt) for me to notice any ridicule... I don't give my last name out at the meeting, and even if I did I probably wouldn't even notice its use.

--EDIT--
Me saying this made me think of two funny stories...

(1) During a tournament about a million kids are named Matt so I don't even notice a coach saying "Matt". I'm usd to "Blue"... One coach was trying to call time, and I didn't know it because he was saying "Matt"... I hear from the dugout "Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! Matt!! MATT!! MATT!! MATT!!" And it took about that long to get me to look over because I'm not used to hearing my name used to address me... When I look over he chuckles, takes a breath, and calls for time... I grant it, he goes to his pitcher, and when I go to break it up, he tells me I should change my name... I told him "How about Matt-Call-Me-Blue?"

(2) During a different tournament, we were doing the normal introductions, and coach-with-son were in tow to the plate as a captains type thing to make the kids feel important... We are going through the intos...

Me: "I'm Matt"
One Coach: "I'm Ben"
One kid: "Jack"
and etc. until we got to the coach and son...

The Coach: "I'm Mark Steele"
The Son: "I'm Max Steele"

Every game in that entire tournament. They would give out their full names (because I'm sure they loved the last name "Steele") while everyone else gave their first only. I had to hold back a laugh after the 3rd time they did it.

You could use "Matthew" perhaps, It would set you apart. Or, maybe you should come up with a good pseudonym. How about "Max Steele"? Has a nice ring to it!

Sounds like a porn star name.

LOL! I've got to be honest, I've never heard that one!

[mstaylor]

The Son: "I'm Max Steele"

Every game in that entire tournament. They would give out their full names (because I'm sure they loved the last name "Steele") while everyone else gave their first only. I had to hold back a laugh after the 3rd time they did it.

I don't know.... if my name was "Max Steele," I'm pretty sure I'd say it all the time, too. Probably get me a bunch of T-shirts that say "I'm Max Steele" printed on them. In the letter-size like the old "Wham!" video. (For those of you old enough to remember that.

Maybe start talking in the third person.

[Jocko]

The Son: "I'm Max Steele"

Every game in that entire tournament. They would give out their full names (because I'm sure they loved the last name "Steele") while everyone else gave their first only. I had to hold back a laugh after the 3rd time they did it.

I don't know.... if my name was "Max Steele," I'm pretty sure I'd say it all the time, too. Probably get me a bunch of T-shirts that say "I'm Max Steele" printed on them. In the letter-size like the old "Wham!" video. (For those of you old enough to remember that.

Max Steele say RELAX

[HokieUmp]

The Son: "I'm Max Steele"

Every game in that entire tournament. They would give out their full names (because I'm sure they loved the last name "Steele") while everyone else gave their first only. I had to hold back a laugh after the 3rd time they did it.

I don't know.... if my name was "Max Steele," I'm pretty sure I'd say it all the time, too. Probably get me a bunch of T-shirts that say "I'm Max Steele" printed on them. In the letter-size like the old "Wham!" video. (For those of you old enough to remember that.

Maybe start talking in the third person.

HokieUmp likes that idea, and thinks that HokieUmp will start doing that all that time.

[JHSump]

LOL !

You should try it at plate meetings...during games...when making calls...

Isn't there a Seinfeld episode where Elaine is confused by some guy calling himself Jimmy? Imagine the confusion on the field.