Keeping a journal about spectators

[nolanadair]

I know an umpire who keeps a journal about spectators. Here is what he does:

He keeps this little journal in his back pocket where everyone can see it. Let's say that he made a bad call and a parent sitting in a chair on the home team side start telling the umpire it was a bad call and so on. He will then (either after that half inning or after the batter) take out his journal and write what the parent said and all the details about the fan (where they are sitting, wearing,etc.).

I find this very weird. The reason I know he does this is because I have seen his journal because I asked him what it is and someone told me about before I knew the guy.

The guy has been banned from our league for his actions:

1. rubbing a brand new helmet in the dirt because he said the kid (the kid was in AA) would look more like a ball player with his helmet all dirty.

2. He would only do plate for the same team in AA. He wanted the league UIC to recommend him for tournament play within the district, but the UIC said that he must work higher level games to be recommended to the district UIC. The umpire then refused.

These are not the only things, but these two things contributed to the whole situation fueling up.

What are your reactions and opinions about the whole notebook/journal thing?

[mstaylor]

Sounds like he was paranoid about fans attacking him and he was collecting evidence in case it ever happened. He could then show the police what started it. In reality he sounds like he needs to learn to grow a thicker skin or quit umpiring.

[frenchblue]

Sounds like he was paranoid about fans attacking him and he was collecting evidence in case it ever happened. He could then show the police what started it. In reality he sounds like he needs to learn to grow a thicker skin or quit umpiring.

I agree with mstaylor. if this guy can even hear everything that the spectators say, then he is not doing his job. his job is to umpire the game, not listen to and take notes on specators. thats just very wierd. ive never heard of anything like this. this guy has very thin skin.

[Umpire in Chief]

He's obviously too worried about what the fans are doing. Sometimes I get a kick out of the things fans say.

Once my partner made a call then came to me to see what I had. As I'm telling him I think he got it right a fan yelled, "You'll never make a level 5 that way!" A level 5 being our second lowest level. My partner does non-conference college ball. W both couldn't help but laugh.

[blindumpire99]

They have fans at games??

Other than the MILF section, of course!

I'd much rather bring along a camera with a powerful zoom lens to record those posteriors, err uhh record that for posterity..

Edited August 21, 2009 by blindumpire99

[Stan W.]

I keep a game journal and have for years.........I keep the date, time, teams, fee paid partners and a column for comments on my game self evaluation.......

It has never included any comments on fans.............

[nolanadair]

I keep a game journal and have for years.........I keep the date, time, teams, fee paid partners and a column for comments on my game self evaluation.......

It has never included any comments on fans.............

Keeping that type of journal is totally ok. This guys journal is just weird. I like your idea for that type of journal, but in Little League, we don't get paid.

[BT_Blue]

Keeping that type of journal is totally ok. This guys journal is just weird. I like your idea for that type of journal, but in Little League, we don't get paid.

Its just as easy to leave out the "fee paid" part. But the rest is all a great learning tool.