I turned the fans against me.

[Mr Umpire]

First of all, in no way did I admit to making a mistake. The joke was a reference to the common impression regarding an umpire's eyesight.

Yes, you did. You made a call they didn't agree with. Then, take off your sunglasses and say "You're right. I couldn't see a thing." Meaning, I did not see the play I called. Therefore, you saw it correctly while I didn't see anything and made a blind call which appears to have been wrong. Why, b/c I never saw the play. Joke or not, you said all of that in 2 sentences.

A little self-effacement on occasion can put out a potential fire. I can be just as tough as the next guy. Matter of fact, for years I've been my association's enforcer. The point is, you pick your spots and you need to know when to do it.

True and coming on a forum to tell some potential new umpire to begin mingling with fans isn't one of them. It is bad advice and should not be given. It can cause more problems than it is worth. And, quite frankly, you got lucky that someone didn't take you to task for the previous admittance. There are some jerks out there and you might have found one b/c you had no idea who was in the stands. Enforcer or not (which I don't know what that means), the fans don't give a rat's a$ who you are. They just know you "missed" that call against them and gave an excuse of why.

I happen to think tossing a lot of people doesn't make a good official. In 23 years I've never tossed a high school coach. I hear these guys talk about all the rhubarbs they've had and the players and coaches they've had to eject, almost on a weekly basis, some of them, and I think to myself, maybe they should look in the mirror for the source of the problem.

I agree. However, it could also mean some necessary ejections were missed in your games. We don't know and neither do you when another umpire made an EJ which may have been necessary. Too much judgment which is better left on the field for the current game being called.

If you come off like a hard ass 100% of the time, you're begging for problems. I'm a big believer in reciprocating the way I'm being treated. When I'm treated with courtesy and respect, I return the favor. On the other hand, if there is insistence on making it a long couple of hours for me, I know how to respond to that situation as well. Gentlemen, we ain't God. Our purpose is to ensure that neither team gains an unfair advantage. If we do that, then we have done our job.

This is true. Most of us do give respect. And, most of us KNOW we are not God out there though some rules allow us to be the next closest thing.

The point was you're advice should have been prefaced with something like "For experienced umpires" or "Not for new umpires" or "This may not work in all situations". It was not sound advice to put out there for all to see since you don't know who may be reading it. All that I would ask is if you are going to provide something which is not in black and white or comes from an official authority, to make sure it is directed at a specific group. Or, at the very least, make sure everyone understands "This may not work in your particular situation." It seems like we may be jumping on you for it but it is with good cause. We don't need some 16 year old trying it and having a huge issue b/c of some advice he got didn't work.

Better advice is just to not mingle with fans. Then, none of them can use an umpire's words against him. Such as, your example clearly says "I was unable to see that play correctly b/c 'you know, your right, I couldn't see a thing with these sunglasses on' and now I am taking them off so I can actually see the game." There are reasons official mechanics call for the BU to go out in RF. To prevent any potential issues your example may have caused. Going in RF removes the urge to talk to the fans. It is better to go to RF than to run the risk of getting them riled up even more b/c the umpire didn't know when to leave well enough alone.

[plateumpire29]

Son, my body of work speaks for itself. I don't have to defend myself to you or anyone else. Check my profile and add to that an average of 100 games per year since 1987. Those people knew it was a joke and not an admission of an errant call. Also, I believe I used the the word "OCCASIONALLY" in my original remarks. This is, after all, a game; something that should be remembered not only by parents and coaches, but by those of us who love it enough to serve as umpires.

[Mr Umpire]

Son, my body of work speaks for itself. I don't have to defend myself to you or anyone else. Check my profile and add to that an average of 100 games per year since 1987. Those people knew it was a joke and not an admission of an errant call. Also, I believe I used the the word "OCCASIONALLY" in my original remarks. This is, after all, a game; something that should be remembered not only by parents and coaches, but by those of us who love it enough to serve as umpires.

Out of respect to Warren, I will end this. But, remember this. I am not YOUR son and 23 years of experience can also be 1 year experience 23 times. This post shows that. And, that is it. Just quit giving errant advice which can get new umpires in trouble. It is reckless and irresponsible. At least, I am man enough to admit when I was wrong for something instead of resorting to an attempt to flash my number of games as my shield against criticism. Official mechanics show what you did as being wrong and not to be taught nor recommended for anyone to do.

[Guest]

All I have to say is "WOWWWWWWWWW"

[plateumpire29]

I guess it wouldn't be a good idea to mention the time I told the lady behind the backstop that I didn't come to McDonald's and yell at her while she was working.

[JaxRolo]

I guess it wouldn't be a good idea to mention the time I told the lady behind the backstop that I didn't come to McDonald's and yell at her while she was working.

Good one! :lol::lol::lol:

[plateumpire29]

thanx for giving me some love jax

[boyinr]

It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.

Abraham Lincoln

[Mr Umpire]

It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.

Abraham Lincoln

And all has been removed in 2 posts. The 2nd being insulting to the one it was directed at and ones not directed at. Oh, wait. It was directed at anyone who works at McDonald's. Again, so much said in so few sentences. I think it is becoming more prevalent to have 1 year experience 23 times. Have I met Charlie finally?

[Guest]

Have I met Charlie finally?

The question isn't if you've met the one, but all of them.

[mstaylor]

Alright boys, let's go to nuetral corners. I agree that a well placed joke can cause a crowd to settle, but it needs to be used rarely and by experienced umpires only. Number of games or years of service means nothing. I have seen guys that have worked for years, been to the same clinics I have and not learned a thing. I have seen two year guys that were light years ahead of them. Of course the opposite is certainly the norm. Game management is one of the toughest thing to teach and learn.

[Don]

There is a Jr. Legion team I have had a lot so far this season, not helping the matter they are from the rural county I live in and know many of the players and parents either directly or because my kids play with their younger kids. Our county only has 1 high school and it's only AA at that, so you get the picture that were in a small community. I'll refer to them as the blue team.

My prior games with them they have "loved" me, if for no other reason than by contrast to any number of my partners who they have loathed.

I'm working a tournament about 50 miles away from where I live and notice they are going to be one of the teams I will have. The game before ours went extra innings and my partner and I are sitting in the shade away from most spectators. Then I was spotted. A couple of friends/parents/spectators came up to me and told me they were glad that they have me again and told some stories of how they have been "screwed" by other umpires. I don't say much back to them. Mainly just nodded and smiled.

I will also say the parents of this team are some of the loudest, most into it (even if they don't know what they are talking about) spectators you will ever have.

First 3 innings their team is loosing and they are making all sorts of comments. My partner comes to me between innings and says, "These fans are ruthless. It's crazy, but I love it" I told him this was par for course, but it will get worse.

I had a banger at the plate and banged out the runner (who lives across the street from me), and got my first shower of their scorn. Between innings I was being yelled at and for the first time in my short career they were using my name rather than blue. It was actually quite unsettling.

Next inning they had a huge inning and put six on the board. In that inning they had a couple of calls go their way by both my partner and I and now we are on their good side again, once again using my name. But now the parents on the other side are getting upset in thinking they were getting hosed and now are getting more vocal as the game is now tied. The other team's (I'll call them gold) fans are trying unsuccessfully to be louder. I can see how the gold team's parent's and fans might feel they are being hosed with the praise they're laying on me and using my name. They are actually cheering me. I pretended not to notice and played in my line up card holder which was empty.

Next half inning some things don't go gold's way and a particularly loud gold parent yells, "Come on Warren, you're letting them bring you to their side."

The Gold team goes back on top, then the blue and the gold regains the lead in the top of the 7th.

Bottom of the 7th with 1 out and Blue down by 2 and runners on 2nd & 3rd, we have a passed ball. R3 tries to score, but the pitcher comes to cover the plate and gets the ball and is waiting for the runner who tries to slide between the pitcher's feet, and while the tag was high (which is what I believe the coaches and fans saw they were far enough up the line that the tag was first) and I bang him out. The fans on both sides are going crazy for different reasons.

The Blue Asst coach who was in the first base box charges up the line yelling, "He was under the tag!"

I told him, "The tag got him."

He continues and I repeat the same thing.

He then yells, "That�s the third f:censored:ing call you've blown tonight!"

Buh-bye�

Now the blue team fans are going absolutely nuts, hollering anything and everything they can think of.

Next two batters reach on errors to load the bases and the last blue batter takes it up to a full count, the fans on both sides are now in full frenzy louder than anything I'd encountered before.

He gets a cockshot and puts it to the bottom of the right field fence scoring 3 runs. It was pure crazy. As I go to pick up my water bottle which was against the fence near the blue team they didn't say a word to me, which I preferred, but one parent came right up to the fence and yelled at me "We still beat you blue!" Boy did I want to say something, but refrained.

I honestly hope not to have that team or their Sr. Legion team any more this year. I really did not like the way things may have appeared by them using my name. I'm actually going to talk to the ones I know as I happen to see them and ask them not to do that, which may mean they will do it more.

When I woke up this morning the first thing I did is go out and look at my cars & trucks to make sure they were alright, because you never know. But all was good.

A catcher once asked me how I put up with it. I asked put up with what? He said, the fans? I said, what fans?

Asst Coaches are like fans, with one exception, I get to dump them. Head coaches too, if they want to leave...