Does the term "Blue" offend you?

[Haid D' Salaami]

it's not disrepectful to be called blue... but it is nice for them to call us by our 1st names, we call the coaches by their 1stname do the same for us.. i try really hard to learn their names before the game, I will look them up on the web, and know there names before we go TOT the game, then at the Plate meeting I can extend my hand and say " Hi Troy, I'm Denzel Washington".. the coach might already think, ( wow he knew my name before he got here, this umpire is on point.

In pro ball it is easier for them to remember umpires names, they see them everyday, so it is a lot easier to remember their names..

[ukce1861]

" Hi Troy, I'm Denzel Washington".. the coach might already think, ( wow he knew my name before he got here, this umpire is on point.

Actually, he'd probably think, "Holy cow - I've got Denzel Washington doing my game!"

[BT_Blue]

" Hi Troy, I'm Denzel Washington".. the coach might already think, ( wow he knew my name before he got here, this umpire is on point.

Actually, he'd probably think, "Holy cow - I've got Denzel Washington doing my game!"

I was going to say. Oh and how cool would it be for the kids to have a mega star work their game... and the moms? FORGET ABOUT IT!

[yawetag]

it's not disrepectful to be called blue... but it is nice for them to call us by our 1st names, we call the coaches by their 1stname do the same for us.. i try really hard to learn their names before the game, I will look them up on the web, and know there names before we go TOT the game, then at the Plate meeting I can extend my hand and say " Hi Troy, I'm Denzel Washington".. the coach might already think, ( wow he knew my name before he got here, this umpire is on point.

In pro ball it is easier for them to remember umpires names, they see them everyday, so it is a lot easier to remember their names..

Almost the same for me. I'll remember their name, but won't call him by it until he introduces himself, and only for one simple reason: the online info may be out of date. I don't want to call a coach the name of the previous coach.

[BT_Blue]

it's not disrepectful to be called blue... but it is nice for them to call us by our 1st names, we call the coaches by their 1stname do the same for us.. i try really hard to learn their names before the game, I will look them up on the web, and know there names before we go TOT the game, then at the Plate meeting I can extend my hand and say " Hi Troy, I'm Denzel Washington".. the coach might already think, ( wow he knew my name before he got here, this umpire is on point.

In pro ball it is easier for them to remember umpires names, they see them everyday, so it is a lot easier to remember their names..

Almost the same for me. I'll remember their name, but won't call him by it until he introduces himself, and only for one simple reason: the online info may be out of date. I don't want to call a coach the name of the previous coach.

What I hate is calling a coach Mike for 7 innings and he answering... Then in the 8th I walk up to him and say "hey Mike..." and he looks at me and tells me his name is Jim or something like that.

I mean WTH?!? Ive been calling you a name for 7 innings and now in the 8th you want to correct me?

[cigarmon]

I dont have an issue with being referred to as "Blue". It seems to have become part of the fabric of the game and one that I think we'll have a hard time undoing. I will introduce myself by first name at the plate meeting and if they use it, fine.Those who said that at upper levels, college and beyond,are more comfortable with first names, its because those coaches/managers see the same officials more regularly and know them better. "Ok team, (insert name here) is on the plate today. His zone is (wide,tight,etc;)" At HS levels and below, they are just happy to see someone with a mask show up. I will refer to "Coach/Skip" when speaking out loud "Where did that miss?" "It was down coach" When speaking face to face, more intimately, I try to use first names. Its a matter of respect and professionalism. My .02

[UmpTTS43]

It's amazing that when I refuse to answer to "blue" they then know my name.

[TNCoach]

I only use the term "blue" when I either forget their name or they don't answer to it.... Well, one other time is when we have an umpire whose last name is Blue...

[BT_Blue]

I only use the term "blue" when I either forget their name or they don't answer to it.... Well, one other time is when we have an umpire whose last name is Blue...

There is a guy that used to work in my association and then decided to go across the river whos last name was actually Blue.

[wvumpire1807]

This is one of the things i hate the most. When i work a college or a high school game and a kid calls me blue. I correct them and tell them to call me sir or Mr.Umpire. How would the players like it if we called them rats. LOL. As far as coaches, i hate for a cocah to call me blue as well. I try not to call a coach, coach. I write down his first name on the lineup card and try to call him by that name. I dont like to be referred to as a crayon.

[dumbdumb]

Unlike many, I do not prefer to be called by my first name. I do however introduce myself to the coaches, but that is the last time I will use first names. I have a bit of an aversion to being called by my first name by coaches and players, as I worry that that familiarity could be miscontrued by the opposing team as to mean that I am biased. I still introduce myself to coaches I have known for years, both on and off the field. When I am on the field dressed in blue, I am the umpire, off it I am Stan....

I also do not have a problem being called Blue or Ump....But thats just me.....and as always my .02...

Now my thoughts really apply to lower level baseball ....it enters more into the summer ball, travel team and tournament seasons when one team may know the crew more than the others....In the HS and college level and of course pro level, it is very common for both coaches and umpires to call each other by the first name. Most often those coaches and umpires have long associations and are well known to both sides....when you have been doing this as long as MSTaylor and I have, most often it is difficult to find a coach who does not know you (or your name).....

Early in my umpiring career I did a tourney....one of the teams I had done games for in the year was in the championship game and I was the UIC. The game went well with no issues ( I thought) .....after the game, as I was passing the losing team dugout, I heard the coach say "I knew we were going to get hosed when I heard those umpires calling their coaches by the first name".......

Kind of made an impression on me I did not want to have made....In hindsight, I could have alleviated the problem by making sure I used both coaches names..........but since then, I have mainly used coach and sir to address coaches.....

Your a good umpire. Too bad you have to listen to a cheapshot artist who knew exactly what he was doing and wanted to make sure you heard the comment.

He did this on purpose rather than have the intestinal fortitude to just come out and say something during the game and get tossed. He made sure he said it after the game where you basically cannot do anything, and if you did do anything it would make you look like the aggressor. Gutless wonders do this and that's exactly what he is, a backstabbing 2 faced gutless wonder.

Once again, sorry you have to work for a douchebag coach like that.

[mtnump]

I have never even given it a thought that being called "Blue" would be offensive. It is usually the word or two before or after that will be the trouble.

[Pops]

Being called blue has never offended me either.

What do you guys do if the catcher introduces himself to you before the first pitch? With an adult you would obviously introduce yourself by your first name as well. But do you want younger players calling you by your first name? Under 12, 13-15, 16 and older?

Also, I really think it's classy when HS players are taught to call you "sir." It shows respect. But you can't tell them to call you sir upon introduction.

[scrounge]

Good question. I've just responded with "<catcher's name>, nice to meet you" or something like that.

Being called blue has never offended me either.

What do you guys do if the catcher introduces himself to you before the first pitch? With an adult you would obviously introduce yourself by your first name as well. But do you want younger players calling you by your first name? Under 12, 13-15, 16 and older?

Also, I really think it's classy when HS players are taught to call you "sir." It shows respect. But you can't tell them to call you sir upon introduction.

[UmpJM]

Being called blue has never offended me either.

What do you guys do if the catcher introduces himself to you before the first pitch? With an adult you would obviously introduce yourself by your first name as well. But do you want younger players calling you by your first name? Under 12, 13-15, 16 and older?

Also, I really think it's classy when HS players are taught to call you "sir." It shows respect. But you can't tell them to call you sir upon introduction.

Pops,

Anything below HS Varsity, I introduce myself to the catcher as Mr. Mxxxxxx. HS Varsity and above, it's always first and last name. I always introduce myself to the catchers. I always address the catcher by his first name, and they never call me by my name. And that doesn't bother me in the least.

JM

[JaxRolo]

Being called blue has never offended me either.

What do you guys do if the catcher introduces himself to you before the first pitch? With an adult you would obviously introduce yourself by your first name as well. But do you want younger players calling you by your first name? Under 12, 13-15, 16 and older?

Also, I really think it's classy when HS players are taught to call you "sir." It shows respect. But you can't tell them to call you sir upon introduction.

Pops,

Anything below HS Varsity, I introduce myself to the catcher as Mr. Mxxxxxx. HS Varsity and above, it's always first and last name. I always introduce myself to the catchers. I always address the catcher by his first name, and they never call me by my name. And that doesn't bother me in the least.

JM

Must be hard for them to pronounce Mr. Mxxxxxxx !

[mstaylor]

I always introduce myself to catchers during warmups. I always ask their name and give them mine, usually just my first name. Then I ask what the pitcher has, I want know if he has anything odder than a fastball, curve, slider. Is he throwing a knuckleball or a fork ball. Often I will then ask for the pitcher's name. Many youth catchers will call me blue, mr. umpire, sir and even a few will call Mr. Mike.

[BT_Blue]

I always introduce myself to catchers during warmups. I always ask their name and give them mine, usually just my first name. Then I ask what the pitcher has, I want know if he has anything odder than a fastball, curve, slider. Is he throwing a knuckleball or a fork ball. Often I will then ask for the pitcher's name. Many youth catchers will call me blue, mr. umpire, sir and even a few will call Mr. Mike.

I do the same. I used to not talk to the catcher at all unless he talked to me. Now, through the recommendation from a more senior umpire than I, I shake hands and give F2 my first name. I dont want them calling me Mr. Goldsmit. No reason for it. It surprises me when they call me sir, but I do not mind it. I also will answer to blue. However, I expect their coaches to call me by my first name as I call them by their first name.... hopefully.

I also will ask the catcher, while taking pitches, what the pitcher throws. I will also ask what his best pitch is and then ask for what makes it so special.

I have a whole extra spiel that I normally give but forgot during my first plate scrimmage. But non I will remember to because of this thread.

[LeePitts]

No problem at all. I call them coach they call me blue. If I work them mire than once or twice a year I will try to remember names. But, I live in a football state. Most of the baseball coaches are new every other year and are coaching because they have to. No biggee to me. But, I am impressed when a coach say" Lee, can I talk to you" as opposed to hey mr. Blue

[umpire78]

No, I don't find it offensive at all. There ARE terms used that I DO find offensive and warrant an immediate ejection. Most of these terms start with "YOU ________." I do NOT tolerate any physical contact, threats, or personal attacks. Other that those, play ball. :nod:

[Jimbo]

I grew up playing baseball, all the way through high school... and my dad was a great baseball and fast-pitch player... and my mom was a great fast-pitch player as well.  AND...my dad was an umpire for 20+ years.  Not for the pay (obviously), but because he loved it.  And so I grew up hearing my dad and mom, and all their teammates and coaches calling the umpires "blue".  When playing himself or watching me play youth baseball, my dad always used the term "blue".  and he taught me to use.  I just got through coaching my 1st grader's first baseball game of the season tonight.... and one time during the game, I lost the out count and so I instinctively yelled out to the umpire, "hey blue, how many down?"  And it was no sweat off his back, and he looked at me and yelled back "2 down, coach".  No disrespect to or from either one of us.  So how about this.... what if at the coaches/umpire meeting on the mound before every game, both coaches simply asked the umpire.. what do you prefer to be addressed as during the game?  Your first name, your last name, blue, ump?   I have no problem with being called any of those... but as some others have said earlier in this thread, so kind of know when someone is showing disrespect towards you... no matter which word they use to address you.  It's not the word, it's the attitude/intent behind it.

[ricka56]

Another zombie thread...blast from the past seeing those former posters.