Out at home appeal

[BRUMP]

They are saying it to get under your skin. The fact that you let it piss you off let's me know it got to you. In short they won. A smart a$$ remark may make you feel better. But in the end, you look and are seen as a smart a$$ kid who can't handle their business, which is the complete opposite of what you want. A simple "Coach, we aren't going there" works. It lets this DB coach know that what he said is inappropriate and you will not tolerate any more comments on age. It's something you could put in a report and defend if, or more likely when, you have to dump this coach.

I'm talking to you guys from experience. I know what it's like. I started when I was 14. When I started, most of the games I worked had coaches who had either coached me or coached my brothers or both. And yes, I tried the smart a$$ route first. I didn't improve my situation, it made it worse. No respect, even though I was one of the better umpires there. It all changed when I met a man named Charlie Strasser ( some guys from the Houston area might know him). And he told me the same thing I'm tell y'all. Actions speak louder than any words you can ever say. Yes, I still had coaches try and get me on my age. But by using that simple phrase and taking care of my business on the field, I earned their respect. They knew I belonged there and call the game right and fair.

I have really enjoyed watching you two grow as umpire these past few years I've been lucky enough to be here. I'm just hoping you can learn from my mistake and not repeat it.

@James Walker by no means am i saying that it is right.....i know it is wrong. I've been umpiring for almost 7 yrs now and i think I've heard the are you qualified line maybe 3 times all before the game, and once i got a really good job blue after leaving the field so i turned their opinions around. that one time was also the most recent time when i was doing a very competitive adult wood bat league. that time when the question was asked i brushed it off and said with a smile "i wouldn't be here if i wasn't". the two times before that i gave smartass answers. (i never gave the answer i posted under option c in my last post that was meant purely as a joke) twice i said are you qualified to coach here. was it a good answer? no. could it have escalated things? definitely. did it? no, because i think the coaches in both cases got the opinion that i thought i was hot SH*# and was trying to make a name for myself, thankfully they didnt bite. while i hope i never give a smartass response again, if someone asks me if I'm qualified to work at this level w regards to my age they are definitely getting a firm "knock it off" as a younger umpire i consider this line to be along the same lines of any accusation of bias and while i won't toss just because of this, you best believe that coach is now on my radar 

[Replacematt]

They are saying it to get under your skin. The fact that you let it piss you off let's me know it got to you. In short they won. A smart a$$ remark may make you feel better. But in the end, you look and are seen as a smart a$$ kid who can't handle their business, which is the complete opposite of what you want. A simple "Coach, we aren't going there" works. It lets this DB coach know that what he said is inappropriate and you will not tolerate any more comments on age. It's something you could put in a report and defend if, or more likely when, you have to dump this coach.

I'm talking to you guys from experience. I know what it's like. I started when I was 14. When I started, most of the games I worked had coaches who had either coached me or coached my brothers or both. And yes, I tried the smart a$$ route first. I didn't improve my situation, it made it worse. No respect, even though I was one of the better umpires there. It all changed when I met a man named Charlie Strasser ( some guys from the Houston area might know him). And he told me the same thing I'm tell y'all. Actions speak louder than any words you can ever say. Yes, I still had coaches try and get me on my age. But by using that simple phrase and taking care of my business on the field, I earned their respect. They knew I belonged there and call the game right and fair.

I have really enjoyed watching you two grow as umpire these past few years I've been lucky enough to be here. I'm just hoping you can learn from my mistake and not repeat it.

 

Pretty much what I was going to say.

 

It's not that I don't understand what you guys are going through--I've been there. But even though you are kids, you can't be kids on the field.

 

An aside: You never know who's watching. There's a now-MLB umpire who happened to be in attendance one day when I was 17. I don't think he would have noticed had I been the typical kid umpiring a LL game. However, he loved the fact I showed up in uniform and managed the game in a professional manner. That day created a great networking opportunity.

[berns_97]

 

 

I think it's interesting that me and @PonyUmpire both have the smart ass responses the general consensus doesn't like. We're both younger (I'm 19, and I think he's 18)... I feel like that question is much more likely to get under our skin, and elicit a smart ass response from us.

 

Is it right? Probably not, but my age has zero bearing on my umpiring, and zero bearing on the game. My assigner found me to be suitable for the game, that's all they need to know.

 

I've been put down as an umpire before because of my age, and it pisses me off. When I was 16, I was a better umpire than a lot of guys who were three times my age (in my area at least)... So when a manager laughs me off as a joke at the pre-game meeting, asking "how old are you?", yeah, I am more likely to be a smart ass than to say "I'm 19 years old, sir".

 

@BRUMP, what say you?

 

@mjr_2013 100% agree. nothing pisses me off more than someone questioning my age. if I'm on the field it should show that someone who knows plenty more about umpiring than you do thought i was suitable for this game. if i was asked how old i was i would respond honestly because sometimes it can be a gateway to a complement. (i.e. your as good as the older guys), but more often than not it is used in a derogatory fashion. if someone asked if i was allowed to umpire here as much as i wanna think id take the high road, id probably give them a smartass response back. id either say 

A) are you allowed to coach here?

b ) no i just came cause i like the way navy blue looks on me or

c) if i was really in a bad mood i could always go with a 

>

 

I like option c!

 

[woodiemiller]

There is a 3rd alternative here. Please the coach by going down to talk to your partner. However, inform your partner that you are NOT there to discuss the call because you are not changing it. Turn around and signal the original call again. This way you went and talked to your partner but also not changing the call.

[Replacematt]

There is a 3rd alternative here. Please the coach by going down to talk to your partner. However, inform your partner that you are NOT there to discuss the call because you are not changing it. Turn around and signal the original call again. This way you went and talked to your partner but also not changing the call.

 

Not a viable alternative. If you are going for help, you're going for help, and you only do it at times where going for help is appropriate.

[Haid D' Salaami]

 

If you see a tag, that means you saw the ball (in glove, likely) tag the runner. You then request F2 to "Show it!", and he does. You rule him out. Case closed.

 

Don't request a player to show you the ball. It creates a bad habit where you may end up doing it with further play possible, and it also creates the possibility that he drops the ball in attempting to respond to your request. He's either going to come up with it or you'll have the ability to get to where you can see what you need.

 

No way.. you need to look and make sure we have secure possession of the ball....

[Haid D' Salaami]

 

 

 

I think it's interesting that me and @PonyUmpire both have the smart ass responses the general consensus doesn't like. We're both younger (I'm 19, and I think he's 18)... I feel like that question is much more likely to get under our skin, and elicit a smart ass response from us.

 

Is it right? Probably not, but my age has zero bearing on my umpiring, and zero bearing on the game. My assigner found me to be suitable for the game, that's all they need to know.

 

I've been put down as an umpire before because of my age, and it pisses me off. When I was 16, I was a better umpire than a lot of guys who were three times my age (in my area at least)... So when a manager laughs me off as a joke at the pre-game meeting, asking "how old are you?", yeah, I am more likely to be a smart ass than to say "I'm 19 years old, sir".

 

@BRUMP, what say you?

 

@mjr_2013 100% agree. nothing pisses me off more than someone questioning my age. if I'm on the field it should show that someone who knows plenty more about umpiring than you do thought i was suitable for this game. if i was asked how old i was i would respond honestly because sometimes it can be a gateway to a complement. (i.e. your as good as the older guys), but more often than not it is used in a derogatory fashion. if someone asked if i was allowed to umpire here as much as i wanna think id take the high road, id probably give them a smartass response back. id either say 

A) are you allowed to coach here?

b ) no i just came cause i like the way navy blue looks on me or

c) if i was really in a bad mood i could always go with a 

>

 

I like option c!

 

@mjr_2013 I know what you mean. I get mad too when umpire assigners pick older people to do games just because they are "better" than me, but the ones who knows me and has been constintly hearing my name. they give me the games that i have worked hard to get. instead of getting paid $25-$30 a game im getting games that pay $45-$60 a game. 

 

I am glad that I know someone who knows about umpiring, has connections and has gotten me into many games. Ex. I was able to do College games, a AAA game and highschool games because he sees the potential that i have. Although I cant play baseball anymore i still want to be involved any way. The guy i know knows the umpire assigner to a Adv. A team, The Flying Tigers , and has gotten me to umpire there. I have gotten compliments but when someone doubts me about my umpiring skills because of my age i just show them what I can do when the game starts. and i have only been doing this for about 6 months.

 

Thanks to everyone who is helping me get better at umpiring.  

 

[woodiemiller]

Matt,

So why is this not a viable option? Please explain because I have had many college assigners say it is a viable option and I have done it on occasion.

[Replacematt]

Matt,

So why is this not a viable option? Please explain because I have had many college assigners say it is a viable option and I have done it on occasion.

 

What do you do when he has something different? What do you do when OC comes out on him because you threw him under the bus? You're placating the coach and creating the expectation that you'll "go for help" on anything, and putting the burden on your partner to cover your ass.

 

 

If you see a tag, that means you saw the ball (in glove, likely) tag the runner. You then request F2 to "Show it!", and he does. You rule him out. Case closed.

 

Don't request a player to show you the ball. It creates a bad habit where you may end up doing it with further play possible, and it also creates the possibility that he drops the ball in attempting to respond to your request. He's either going to come up with it or you'll have the ability to get to where you can see what you need.

 

No way.. you need to look and make sure we have secure possession of the ball....

 

 

That's what I said. Either he'll show it to you or you'll be able to get in position to see it.

[TK33]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I asked my partner because when the catcher showed me the ball it was with his bear hand. Thatis why i asked my partner. Im young and thanks for helping me out.

Don't read anything into that either.  Proper mechanics for a catcher is to grab the ball with the throwing hand and use to the glove to shield the ball. I agree to a point with not automatically asking to see the ball, do that as a last result.  

[zm1283]

 

 

 

 

I think it's interesting that me and @PonyUmpire both have the smart ass responses the general consensus doesn't like. We're both younger (I'm 19, and I think he's 18)... I feel like that question is much more likely to get under our skin, and elicit a smart ass response from us.

 

Is it right? Probably not, but my age has zero bearing on my umpiring, and zero bearing on the game. My assigner found me to be suitable for the game, that's all they need to know.

 

I've been put down as an umpire before because of my age, and it pisses me off. When I was 16, I was a better umpire than a lot of guys who were three times my age (in my area at least)... So when a manager laughs me off as a joke at the pre-game meeting, asking "how old are you?", yeah, I am more likely to be a smart ass than to say "I'm 19 years old, sir".

 

@BRUMP, what say you?

 

@mjr_2013 100% agree. nothing pisses me off more than someone questioning my age. if I'm on the field it should show that someone who knows plenty more about umpiring than you do thought i was suitable for this game. if i was asked how old i was i would respond honestly because sometimes it can be a gateway to a complement. (i.e. your as good as the older guys), but more often than not it is used in a derogatory fashion. if someone asked if i was allowed to umpire here as much as i wanna think id take the high road, id probably give them a smartass response back. id either say 

A) are you allowed to coach here?

b ) no i just came cause i like the way navy blue looks on me or

c) if i was really in a bad mood i could always go with a 

>

 

I like option c!

 

@mjr_2013 I know what you mean. I get mad too when umpire assigners pick older people to do games just because they are "better" than me, but the ones who knows me and has been constintly hearing my name. they give me the games that i have worked hard to get. instead of getting paid $25-$30 a game im getting games that pay $45-$60 a game. 

 

I am glad that I know someone who knows about umpiring, has connections and has gotten me into many games. Ex. I was able to do College games, a AAA game and highschool games because he sees the potential that i have. Although I cant play baseball anymore i still want to be involved any way. The guy i know knows the umpire assigner to a Adv. A team, The Flying Tigers , and has gotten me to umpire there. I have gotten compliments but when someone doubts me about my umpiring skills because of my age i just show them what I can do when the game starts. and i have only been doing this for about 6 months.

 

Thanks to everyone who is helping me get better at umpiring.  

 

what do you mean you did a college game?.. you did a AAA baseball game Like in the Minor leagues.?

If your only 17 your too young for college baseball....and the same goes for Pro ball.. you have to be 18...

 

[woodiemiller]

Matt,

Where did I say anything about asking your partner what he has? "Inform your partner right away that you are not there to discuss the call." That's what I said.

Tell him right away that you are not changing the call. Ask him where hes going to eat after the game. Ask him how he likes the weather. But you don't ask him what he has if you are set in your mind not to change the call. Its that simple.

[noumpere]

Don't go just to appease the coach.  If you have a reason to go, then go.  If you don't have a reason to go, then don't go.

[Replacematt]

Matt,

Where did I say anything about asking your partner what he has? "Inform your partner right away that you are not there to discuss the call." That's what I said.

Tell him right away that you are not changing the call. Ask him where hes going to eat after the game. Ask him how he likes the weather. But you don't ask him what he has if you are set in your mind not to change the call. Its that simple.

 

I never said anything about asking your partner anything. Are you going to answer my questions?

[basejester]

Matt,

Where did I say anything about asking your partner what he has? "Inform your partner right away that you are not there to discuss the call." That's what I said.

Tell him right away that you are not changing the call. Ask him where hes going to eat after the game. Ask him how he likes the weather. But you don't ask him what he has if you are set in your mind not to change the call. Its that simple.

The problem many people -- myself included -- have with this behavior is that it is dishonest. You're communicating to the participants and spectators that you are seeking input from your partner. If you aren't doing that, I think you're throwing your partner under the bus. What if your partner knows 100% that your call is wrong? You're projecting to the world that you have solicited and considered his input to validate your call but aren't actually giving him a chance to weigh in.

I have no problem with you keeping your own call, but don't pretend you're taking input.

(And I have been advised by an assigning authority to handle this situation in the manner you've described. I've never done it, though.)