Finally got to work with "that guy"

[Chance]

:ranton:Up until today my season has gone fairly smooth. Good partners with solid pregames and overall smooth games. Since I was BU today I arrive about 45 mins before game time, PU I like to get there an hr before. A couple minutes after I park and begin to dig into the gear bag my partner shows up, looking good so far. I have never worked with this guy before but at least hes on time and could get in a decent pregame. Well the pregame started like this, while changing his shoes on his tailgate he looks over and says "ill take the foul lines, and if you see any foul ball go off the batter make sure you call it because I cannot see them in front of the plate, and if there is a play at the plate and im out of position ill just point to you" . At this point im somewhat confused. So I initiate topics to cover to be sure we will be on the same page. I try to confer on this foul line thing telling him I have everything past the bag while in A. Well I didnt even get the whole sentence out when he looks up and says again, this time somewhat in a stern voice. "ill take the foul lines". Moving on so we can try to cover everything else. Infield fly. I tell him that I will point and he should make the verbal call. Well he shoots that down and tells me just to call it to. Ok I can live with that. He can tell im somewhat frustrated and then says, "im not such and such or such and such (naming senior members in our association), those guys are too particular, I do things my way. Ive been doing little league for four years" Well I wanted to tell him its not little league, its high school. I kept my mouth shut though. I then go over what ill take responsibility for, weather he was really listining or not. As he is gearing up I cant help but notice, no plate shoes but at least he had toe guards. Also not sure if ump-attire is selling this or not but he was sporting a camo undershirt . As we are walking up he is telling me about his game yesterday when he blew an obvious call. He says " line drive hit inbetween third and the bag and i called it fair way to soon because it landed foul, bases were loaded and there was nothing i could do" . At this point I wish it would storm and we would get cancelled. Equipment inspection goes well and we get to the plate meeting. Me, as Bu, kept quiet. Listing, trying to keep myself together. Partners pregame goes something like this. "Hey guys, (as coaches are handing him their lineups) just want to remind both teams to hustle on and off you have one minute and that will keep the pace going. Coach (HT coach) take us around the field for ground rules. Lets play ball" At this point I had to speek up and verify both teams were properly equipped. PU looks confused that I asked this but we move on from there. Game gets under way and I can tell its going to be a rout early on. Which didnt bother me any at all. Partner made sure to scream foul on allll balls hit outside of the fence, also made sure to watch them land before getting a new ball back in play. He put no balls back in play, he made no signals for 1st and 3rd coverage, no signals for IFF. Good for me:HS. Third or fourth inning he decides to verbilize swinging strikes for a few batters. In between innings he is yacking it up with home team fans. The good news is that the game itself went smooth for the most part. It was a ten run rule in an 1:45 mins. After the last out I go to foul line to meet him and walk out together, however he as joined the home team line and is slapping hands with the teams. He looks over on the walk out and says "well that was my smoothest game all year". I shook his hand and went about my way. There was no teaching to be done here, I though I did all I could but he kept shooting everything down and just wanted to do things his way. And seemed to get and attituted when I suggested things that should be done. Is there anything else that I could have done? Or just chalk it up in the catagory of " I hope I never have to work with him again"

[HokieUmp]

Is there anything else that I could have done? Or just chalk it up in the catagory of " I hope I never have to work with him again"

No. What you do is call/email your assignor with the content of your message being "I never want to work with X again." Don't leave this up to hope and prayers, or ..... (wait for it) ..... chance?

[Stan W.]

these guys exist in every chapter .....the best thing you can do is do the job as good as we know how and lead by example.....

[pitchcoach]

I was with a club in a league that had a high turnover in umpires, four years running. For whatever reason, there was a core of older men and a constant stream of fresh new faces every spring.

During one game, I had to return to our bus to get some personal things, and I can recount the same conversation between the umpires that Chance mentioned here. It was embarrassing, to say the least, their one-sided conversation which took place right beside our bus. I felt sorry for the young man trying to do his best to maintain some sort of composure.

I passed on my observations to our Skipper and our infield coaches - all the while knowing all too well people like that do nothing for our sport, much less anything else.

At the ground rules meeting, we listened to the exchange of this and that, shook hands with the other coaches - THEN made it obvious to all as we deiberately walk over to the two BU's and shook their hands, expressed our appreciation for there being there, totally ignored the UIC and returned to our dugout. Needless to say, he wasn't too pleased.

Why there are people like that is a shame for the men and women in your ranks. As if it isn't difficult enough. However, my Mrs who is smarter than I'll ever be, said perhaps this is the only way people like that have a say in life - and for that short moment in their existence, their in control. Other than that - their very lonely people.

Go figure?

I don't officiate- it's not for me, but I can appreciate the situation that Chance had. I sincerely wish you better - you deserve it.

[JaxRolo]

I was with a club in a league that had a high turnover in umpires, four years running. For whatever reason, there was a core of older men and a constant stream of fresh new faces every spring.

It is this Core of older Umps that sometimes drives away the new younger umps.

We have a an Association like that here. If you are not in the "click" you do not get the good games.

I am an older Ump but not the "click" type. I am willing to learn and teach anytime I am on the field. I'm not an expert by any means but believe I have a good understanding of the rules. :censored:

[kcfan102]

Don't leave this up to hope and prayers, or ..... (wait for it) ..... chance?

Hey now, Hokie, that was smooth

Haha

Chance, follow Hokie's advice. Send an email to your assignor and keep up your good work.

[Mason-Dixon Blue]

If I were you, I'd give a full report to the association and make sure that they know you won't work with him again.

[Dragon29]

Chance - sounds like a nightmare, but as others have pointed out, there's one in every association.

One thing I'd like to point out . . .

Infield fly. I tell him that I will point and he should make the verbal call. Well he shoots that down and tells me just to call it to. Ok I can live with that.

I've always been trained (guys - jump in here if you think I'm wrong) if you see it, call it. Doesn't matter if you're BU or PU.

[tjthresh]

Chance - sounds like a nightmare, but as others have pointed out, there's one in every association.

One thing I'd like to point out . . .

I've always been trained (guys - jump in here if you think I'm wrong) if you see it, call it. Doesn't matter if you're BU or PU.

My understanding is that you want to avoid the double call. In my association, PU makes the call.

[DirtyDawg]

Chance - sounds like a nightmare, but as others have pointed out, there's one in every association.

One thing I'd like to point out . . .

I've always been trained (guys - jump in here if you think I'm wrong) if you see it, call it. Doesn't matter if you're BU or PU.

I was taught that it was a signal call for both, but only for the plate umpire to verbilize.

[DirtyDawg]

these guys exist in every chapter .....

And typically, if you don't know who this guy is, you're it!! Haha!

[Umpire in Chief]

If you see it call it.

[Astrosdawg07]

If you see it call it.

Agreed, treat it like a balk!

[Dragon29]

Agreed, treat it like a balk!

Well, Tejas, in our country, we don't move the runners up on an IFF! :wave:

[mstaylor]

I also am in the, see it/call it.

[yawetag]

My understanding is that you want to avoid the double call. In my association, PU makes the call.

Avoid a double call? Both of you are yelling "Infield Fly." Why is that a problem?

[Dragon29]

yawetag,

I agree - I think when both officials make that call simultaneously, it's a good thing. Better yet is when both umpires point out a balk at the same time. Leaves no room for doubt.