Uh oh!

[kristoffae]

Just got off the phone with my partner for a HS JV game tomorrow. Never worked with or met him before. He has the plate so I asked him to decide which uniform he would like to go with. He said that we can go with the black shirt, etc. No problem I said, just make sure you got your charcoal pants (association says only charcoal with black or polo blue). Then, nothing but silence on the line............. Finally I hear, "When you say charcoal what do you mean? Like Dickies?" I am like ? "No bro, charcoal grey pants, you know, the ones made for umpiring." Again silence on the line........ I realize this guy has no idea what I am talking about. He goes, "I just have some slacks from the mall. Is there anywhere I can pick some up around here?" After going over with him the many sources for such an item I finally got from him that this is his first game......... ever. No rec ball, travel ball, whatever ball game experience at all. Should be a fun day tomorrow.:question1:

[Umpire in Chief]

Good opportunity to be a good instructor / mentor to this guy.

[kristoffae]

Good opportunity to be a good instructor / mentor to this guy.

Absolutely. I gave him my cell # and said to call me anytime. I am bringing some of my instructional stuff to give to him.

[JaxRolo]

How does this happen???

I work my behind off to get these type of games.

Just Mentor him and hopefully he will listen. Other than the pants thing did he seem receptive to getting help?

[kristoffae]

Other than the pants thing did he seem receptive to getting help?

Definitely! I told him I would take a pen and small notepad with me so that I can jot things down during the game. I also said that I would arrive at the site an hour and half before game time so we can have an in depth pre game. Now if he is there before me, I know he is serious.

[JaxRolo]

Definitely! I told him I would take a pen and small notepad with me so that I can jot things down during the game. I also said that I would arrive at the site an hour and half before game time so we can have an in depth pre game. Now if he is there before me, I know he is serious.

It really helps to have someone willing to learn from others.

-----------------------------------------------------

I may be coming down to Orlando in June to do AAU Championship games at the Wide World of Sports in June.

[JamesC]

Well, as bad as the problem may be, and it does seem bad, at least your partner had a black shirt. There are countless people in our association that will wear the "mall slacks", which around here are actually walmart slacks. They have one color shirt - NAVY! I despise navy so bad it's not even funny. I know some of you guys absolutely love navy, but I do not. And that is all they have. ONE pair of pants from walmart, and a navy shirt. They wear the the pants behind the plate and on the bases. Ridiculous!

[semper_fi_72]

Just got off the phone with my partner for a HS JV game tomorrow. Never worked with or met him before. He has the plate so I asked him to decide which uniform he would like to go with. He said that we can go with the black shirt, etc. No problem I said, just make sure you got your charcoal pants (association says only charcoal with black or polo blue). Then, nothing but silence on the line............. Finally I hear, "When you say charcoal what do you mean? Like Dickies?" I am like ? "No bro, charcoal grey pants, you know, the ones made for umpiring." Again silence on the line........ I realize this guy has no idea what I am talking about. He goes, "I just have some slacks from the mall. Is there anywhere I can pick some up around here?" After going over with him the many sources for such an item I finally got from him that this is his first game......... ever. No rec ball, travel ball, whatever ball game experience at all. Should be a fun day tomorrow.

SNAFU

I would say your association made a mistake by not making sure he had any experience before they took his money.

We had like 6 guys show up at our first meeting in Jan like that. Wanted to make money. When they found out they had to invest about $900 in equipment, uniforms and association fees, they never returned.

Good Luck

[Dragon29]

kristoffae,

I agree - how does this guy get a HS JV assignment w/no prior experience? That's ludicrous.

Now - the important question. How did it go? Did he show up before you; listen, etc...?

To JamesC - I know I'm in the minority, but I currently have only one pair of pants as well. Now, they are umpire's pants and they are charcoal grey (2 point for me) but they are also the combo pant. I'm still slim enough to get away with using them for both Plate & Base work. (though that situation [read:my waistline] is changing, so I'm getting Plate pants within the next couple of weeks) Up until this season, it hasn't been an issue or problem for me, my partners or my association(s).

Anyone want an old pair of heather greys?

[kristoffae]

kristoffae,

I agree - how does this guy get a HS JV assignment w/no prior experience? That's ludicrous.

Now - the important question. How did it go? Did he show up before you; listen, etc...?

Heading out to do a game now but I will update sometime this weekend when I have a chance.

[yawetag]

It really helps to have someone willing to learn from others.

It's even better that there's an umpire willing to HELP. I salute kristoffae for taking the stance he is. Most umpires would have just complained about the situation.

[actvii]

Well what happened ???? give us some dirt

[kwiggie]

Well, as bad as the problem may be, and it does seem bad, at least your partner had a black shirt. There are countless people in our association that will wear the "mall slacks", which around here are actually walmart slacks. They have one color shirt - NAVY! I despise navy so bad it's not even funny. I know some of you guys absolutely love navy, but I do not. And that is all they have. ONE pair of pants from walmart, and a navy shirt. They wear the the pants behind the plate and on the bases. Ridiculous!

Count me as Ridiculous! When I started on this journey 7 yrs ago I did my first 2 season in sweat pants and a T-shirt. Decided that this was somthing that I liked and wanted to pursue so I got serious... bought a NAVY shirt and hat (that was as serious as I could afford that year). Upon discovering this site I read (as I was getting ready to invest a chunk of ching towards this venture) from numerous threads "protection" first, everything else second. I took that advice seriously and did exactly that. Dropped several hundred $'s on basic protection and have "REINVESTED" every year to improveupgrade my protection AND APPEARANCE. Got my first pair of "real" pants this year (Wally pants prior) and have put them on every night to prance around the house like the Tranny in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Not all "Newbies?" like myself several yrs ago, have the means to go and drop $1200 on somthing that we aren't quite sure of, but once we decide it is... GAME ON!

[JaxRolo]

Count me as Ridiculous! When I started on this journey 7 yrs ago I did my first 2 season in sweat pants and a T-shirt. Decided that this was somthing that I liked and wanted to pursue so I got serious... bought a NAVY shirt and hat (that was as serious as I could afford that year). Upon discovering this site I read (as I was getting ready to invest a chunk of ching towards this venture) from numerous threads "protection" first, everything else second. I took that advice seriously and did exactly that. Dropped several hundred $'s on basic protection and have "REINVESTED" every year to improveupgrade my protection AND APPEARANCE. Got my first pair of "real" pants this year (Wally pants prior) and have put them on every night to prance around the house like the Tranny in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Not all "Newbies?" like myself several yrs ago, have the means to go and drop $1200 on somthing that we aren't quite sure of, but once we decide it is... GAME ON!

You hit the nail on the head!!!

Some of us can only buy a little at a time. I am pretty much there now but may have to upgrade my iX3 CP

[JamesC]

I do agree, and also understand that some people can only buy a little at a time; however, when game fee around here is $60+travel, after a couple games you could have put back $20-$30 to get a new shirt. After making a few hundred dollars, one would think you could have invested at least $30 back into your "hobby". I don't know, I guess that's just my take on the situation.

[JaxRolo]

I do agree, and also understand that some people can only buy a little at a time; however, when game fee around here is $60+travel, after a couple games you could have put back $20-$30 to get a new shirt. After making a few hundred dollars, one would think you could have invested at least $30 back into your "hobby". I don't know, I guess that's just my take on the situation.

Around here is $35.00 - $60.00. Been doing mostly $35

Wife layoff for 2 years from a major bank. Bills piling up. Just trying to do the best I can.

[catoblue]

I do agree, and also understand that some people can only buy a little at a time; however, when game fee around here is $60+travel, after a couple games you could have put back $20-$30 to get a new shirt. After making a few hundred dollars, one would think you could have invested at least $30 back into your "hobby". I don't know, I guess that's just my take on the situation.

Then there are guys like me who only do LL games as a volunteer. Since I've been primarily a coach, calling only a couple games/year for the last 15 years, I have a pair of Flecheimer combos that I was given, and a powder blue shirt that was provided by the district, and used the league's protective gear.

Knowing that I was getting ready to hang up my coach's hat at the end of last season, I started getting my own gear, piece-by-piece on ebay. Now I have a second shirt (navy), my own CP, mask, and shin guards. Still looking for a "steal" on a pair of plate pants and plate shoes on ebay - coinciding when I actually have some extra cash to buy them with. It'll happen, but I don't know when the planets will align properly for it to all come together.

I don't make any $ for volunteering to call games, and have other "hobbies" that require their share of the spare cash I occasionally have (hunting and fishing).

We're a rural league, and have lots of problems getting/keeping umpires, so right now, I'm only one of three that wears anything resembling a uniform - most you'll see in wind pants and a T shirt, with the shin guards on the outside and a balloon-protector.

A couple years from now, I figure I'll have everything I need through piece-meal, to join the association (low-end gear) without having to drop a grand on uniforms and equipment, after which I'll start working on upgrading what I have with game fees.

[Umpire in Chief]

I too started on the cheap.

I was given a traditional ribbed CP and shins from the guy who got me into umpiring. I bought a mask on clearance from +POS, a pair of combo pants, 1 shirt, 1 ball bag, the Gerry Davis Combo shoes, and the accessories. But I quickly started upgrading. First by buying additional shirts, then pants, then I got a great deal on the WV shins which I still use.

Now I feel I'm set on equipment, for now. (But I am eyeing some new shins) This year I don't think I'll be putting that much into my equipment. But next year I think I'll be buying some new pants.

Also you can rotate your uniforms to get more out of them. By this I mean don't wait to buy new pants or shirts until they are completely unusable. When they start to fade or look less than great, go ahead and get new ones. Take your older ones and use those for the youth/rec games and use the new ones for your HS or other choice assignments. Now all of them are getting used less and will last longer then when the older set gets to the point they just won't cut it buy new again and continue the cycle.

[catoblue]

that's just how I'm working on it - I've put together my starter set, will add to it one piece at a time, over the next couple years while I'm still doing volunteer umpiring. When I finally join the association (after my youngest graduates HS) and start getting paid to call games, I'll definitely be putting part of my pay back into my gear/uniforms.

[kristoffae]

I got some time so I will drop my update. Just to re-state this was a High School JV assignment, sanctioned by the FHSAA. We are bound to the FHSAA Officials Guidebook in such contests. Therefore, there are standards that must be complied with by all contest officials (uniform, conduct, etc.) Now that I heave that out of the way.

My partner did arrive as early as I did so we had plenty of time to discuss the upcoming game. Found out right away that the guy lied on his membership application to the association about years / level experience. Had he not done that, he would have been referred for training and evaluation before getting any assignment. That put a bad taste in my mouth right away. I hate lying umpires.

Second of all, he did not have a uniform. He showed me the shirt he was going to wear and it was just a plain black collared golf shirt. Told him that he could not wear that. Gave him one of my shirts to wear. Pants were the Wal-Mart slacks. Association guidelines dictate that the pants need to be manufactured for officiating. I can't help him here because of the size difference. He is going to have to go with what he has. His equipment was right out of the box that ump attire shipped him. He had not even tried any of it on yet, adjusted, etc. I helped him out with that. Shoes were just some black sneaks. Offered my plate shoes but again the size difference.

At this point I do not have a good feeling about this. I know we are supposed to guide, train, mentor, etc. but in this situation I felt helpless. I encouraged him to seek some game experience at a level lower than high school ball and to also scratch any other assignments he may have been given until he can comply with the state and local association guidelines.

We are not volunteers where the schools are just happy that they have two bodies that show up to umpire their games. We are paid contractors and paid pretty well considering. We may not be professional umpires but we are umpiring professionals. I know you have to get started somewhere, and that you may have umpired in shorts, sweats, backwards hats, with zero knowledge of mechanics and whatever else. That is all fine for that level of ball where that was accepted. But when you are doing high school ball, there is a level of professionalism that is expected and you cannot just walk out of the stands and on to the field.

[Dragon29]

Wow! Not good.

I hope you notified your association about this guy. (I'm sure you did)

Lying on your resume is one of the surest ways to look like an in any walk of life. What a jerk.

OK - Now, the next most obvious question. Sounds like the guy had the dish - how did he do?

[yawetag]

I take between 5 and 10% of what I make the previous season and re-invest it in new gear the next spring.

This is the EXACT agreement I made with my wife: I keep 10% to re-invest into umpiring. The rest goes to the bank.

Luckily, I was able to keep a bit more this past year. I used the extra to pay for a weekend clinic in September, which will only help my experience.

As you can tell, it absolutely enrages me to deal with people are either too cheap or too lazy to buy a proper uniform and equipment; it soils the reputation of everyone to put on the shirt.

Agreed. Another umpire with the same experience called me yesterday and asked if I had an extra shirt. I replied that I didn't have an extra one, but he could borrow one that I had. I asked him where his shirt was: "I don't know. I thought it was with my gear, but I can't find it." Apparently, it's the first time he's pulled his gear out since last year!

I let him borrow a shirt, but told him I had to get it back after the game. I don't even trust the guy to wash it, so I took care of that. If you're too lazy to not get your gear together a few weeks before the season starts, then you're giving a bad name to your organization.