English only umpire.

[umpcoachfather]

http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_23008944/nm-high-school-ump-pushed-english-only-game

 

[mstaylor]

This happened in a LL game a couple of years ago. It is ridiculous to pull crap like this out in a game, it has no business there. I don't speak spanish but no way would I try to shut it down. I do know enough to listen for key phases, watch for gestures and other body language to know if there is a problem. I have worked all spanish leagues and had no problems, I have shut down what to needed to shut down but have done many games with no problems.

[gnhbua93]

The ultra-right is vomiting with the you are in the United States speak English comment on the comments section of the article.  Instead of opening their mind and say it's good to learn more than one language in my life span.

[MT_Blue]

this is still an issue? i agree with MS, if it happens it happens its not my place to try and stop this.. the guy should be ashamed

[Minnz]

So lucky to not be part of that association right know but in the same state.  Talked to a few of my other umpires in the state and we all seemed to say the same thing.  Body language is what you read more than hearing words.  That would tell you if the teams were about to get into it.  Also, the fact this umpires has a very Anglo name does not help.

[JHSump]

Players speaking Spanish?!  This is a problem an umpire is worried about?  Doesn't he already have enough real game issues to worry about?   Trying to force players to speak English is almost the definition of grabbing the $hitty end of the stick.

 

Players speaking Spanish?!  Doesn't he know Spanish could be called the unofficial universal language of baseball across the baseball world?  

 

Players speaking Spanish in a baseball game in Las Cruces, NM?!  What, he didn't expect that?  It might be hard to find a player there that does not speak at least some Spanish.  Even the Anglos.   Hmmm, maybe he expected it, and was looking to start an incident.  If so, that's sad for baseball, and sad for umpires.

 

I worked a game between two teams speaking a mix of Spanish and English, right in the heart of Virginia.  I had no issues whatsoever.  Never thought it mattered.  Never thought of even suggesting they keep everything in English.  Had a great time.  One of the more fun games I have ever done.

[mstaylor]

A good friend of mine was a hitting coach for a MiLB team. His wife was Mexican and spoke recent English but when talking to her husband she would start in English and finish in Spanish. Sometimes it would mix on the sentence. He would have to remind her to stick to English. He was the team translator.

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[IABlue]

I think the phrase "Shut up and umpire the game" applies here.

[mstaylor]

The ultra-right is vomiting with the you are in the United States speak English comment on the comments section of the article.  Instead of opening their mind and say it's good to learn more than one language in my life span.

There's nothing wrong with the thought that if you live here, learn English, but if you have a team that is bi-lingual, there is nothing wrong with speaking another language among yourselves. I live in MD, no where near this area, and have experienced bi-lingual in multiple sports, never gave it a thought. 

[maineump]

We have an issue with French speaking in the northern part of our state. Our board doesn't see them until playoffs.

I have also done tournaments where english is a second or third language for all of the teams.

The only thing that I ask is for the manager to speak some english when he is talking to me or have an interpretor handy.

The different languages just show us that baseball is an international sport (that was invented in the good ol' USA).

Play on!