Uh...... WTF?

[Kevin_K]

I wrote this about 6 weeks ago for catharsis. I wasn't sure about posting it, but what the heck.

 

I've been at this umpiring thing for 25 years. I have seen a lot of baseball and a lot of partners. Yesterday was a whole new experience for me. 

Yesterday (Friday) actually started out on Thursday when I texted a new-to-me partner with my introduction, when I would be arriving and "Bring black!" because I like wearing black. About five hours later I received a message from my partner referencing his military career as a captain in the US Navy and that he only takes orders from superior officers, his assignors, and his wife. He has worked with 250+ partners and I was only the third person who presumed to be above his station because I was assigned as the plate umpire in a children's baseball game.

When we met prior to the game I mentioned that my text was not intended to be an order as a way to break the tension, which was followed up with him advising my that he had been to 3 umpire schools, umpired in the Armed Service League, and he worked with 250+ partners (again). He said he never really understood the whole hand signaling thing, so we went through the typical pregame discussion about coverages, rotations, and hand signals.

During the game he did things that suggested that he really didn't have a good understanding of proper positioning, communication, or, for that matter, how high school baseball was played on the field and off the field. As an example, when the bases were loaded and the infield was in with less than two outs, he was in on the outfield grass Little League C. A couple of times during the game I offered a suggestion and was summarily ignored. In about the 5th inning he said that the home team was acting unsportsmanlike because they would occasionally make some noise as F1 was delivering a pitch. If it was that bad, I said, I would have put an end to it. I told him that I didn't think it warranted any intervention and he once again referenced his credentials and how I had nerve to presume that I knew better than he did. (in retrospect, if he thought it so egregious he should have squashed it)

The game went into the 9th tied up at 2-2. The visiting team got a couple of runners on and became loud, especially since their JV team joined them (their game had ended already). They began to do things to distract F1 as he would deliver a pitch and I told them to knock it off. Visiting team scores five in the top of the ninth. Between the top and the bottom halves of the inning my partner came in to tell me I should have done something sooner. Home team goes quietly in the bottom half. Game over.

As I am handing baseballs back to HTHC and shaking the hand of VTHC, my partner approaches VTHC and advises him that he will be sending a report to the state organization about the other team's behavior. The coach is confused and says there is no need to do that and my partner insists that there is. As we begin to exit the field, my partner tells me that I was played by the HT and I should be embarrassed. He tells me that he will be reporting me to the state as well and I stop walking with him. I then tell him to get my name correct and I spell it out for him. As I walk to my car I have a lovely conversation with one of the parents for the home team about the game, his son, and how beautiful a day it was.

When we are at our cars I said that he seemed to take offense very easily and that for someone who went to 3 umpire schools he was out of position a lot, didn't communicate at all, and seemed entirely overmatched in a midlevel HS game. He then asked me if I wanted to settle this like men. I asked him if he was challenging me to a fight. He asked me the same question and reiterated that he would be sending a report to the state. I told him to go ahead and to make sure he sent me a copy as well. He said he wouldn't, I called him a punk, and he drove off.

Anyone who knows me will probably tell you that I am fairly low key and there isn't much that gets me all revved up. This guy did it because he was, as my eldest son would say, aggressively stupid. Not only that, he was not good as an umpire. He struck me as the kind of guy who has to hold the upper hand in every relationship he has. I spoke to my assignor about the pregame text, the in game performance, and the post game antics. Apparently this is not the first time this has happened. This person is only the second person I have asked to never work with again. All of my umpire friends will know what to expect should this name appear on their schedules.

Thanks for the therapy!

[eddieq]

One of my huge pet peeves when I meet a new partner is when their first words are their resume.

"Hi, I'm Ed and I'll be your partner today.  Nice to meet you."
"I've been umpiring for 38 years."
"Nice career.  What's your name? Or should I call you Blue?"
"You may call me Steven.  I've started umpiring at 14."

Often this same guy is the person you described.  Has their own brand of mechanics, isn't in position, makes it about himself.

I'm not the best umpire.  I never will be.  But I try to be in the right position, hustle, and make the calls as I see them. And above all, make it about the game, not about me.

[umpstu]

28 minutes ago, Kevin_K said:

I wrote this about 6 weeks ago for catharsis. I wasn't sure about posting it, but what the heck.

 

I've been at this umpiring thing for 25 years. I have seen a lot of baseball and a lot of partners. Yesterday was a whole new experience for me. 

Yesterday (Friday) actually started out on Thursday when I texted a new-to-me partner with my introduction, when I would be arriving and "Bring black!" because I like wearing black. About five hours later I received a message from my partner referencing his military career as a captain in the US Navy and that he only takes orders from superior officers, his assignors, and his wife. He has worked with 250+ partners and I was only the third person who presumed to be above his station because I was assigned as the plate umpire in a children's baseball game.

When we met prior to the game I mentioned that my text was not intended to be an order as a way to break the tension, which was followed up with him advising my that he had been to 3 umpire schools, umpired in the Armed Service League, and he worked with 250+ partners (again). He said he never really understood the whole hand signaling thing, so we went through the typical pregame discussion about coverages, rotations, and hand signals.

During the game he did things that suggested that he really didn't have a good understanding of proper positioning, communication, or, for that matter, how high school baseball was played on the field and off the field. As an example, when the bases were loaded and the infield was in with less than two outs, he was in on the outfield grass Little League C. A couple of times during the game I offered a suggestion and was summarily ignored. In about the 5th inning he said that the home team was acting unsportsmanlike because they would occasionally make some noise as F1 was delivering a pitch. If it was that bad, I said, I would have put an end to it. I told him that I didn't think it warranted any intervention and he once again referenced his credentials and how I had nerve to presume that I knew better than he did. (in retrospect, if he thought it so egregious he should have squashed it)

The game went into the 9th tied up at 2-2. The visiting team got a couple of runners on and became loud, especially since their JV team joined them (their game had ended already). They began to do things to distract F1 as he would deliver a pitch and I told them to knock it off. Visiting team scores five in the top of the ninth. Between the top and the bottom halves of the inning my partner came in to tell me I should have done something sooner. Home team goes quietly in the bottom half. Game over.

As I am handing baseballs back to HTHC and shaking the hand of VTHC, my partner approaches VTHC and advises him that he will be sending a report to the state organization about the other team's behavior. The coach is confused and says there is no need to do that and my partner insists that there is. As we begin to exit the field, my partner tells me that I was played by the HT and I should be embarrassed. He tells me that he will be reporting me to the state as well and I stop walking with him. I then tell him to get my name correct and I spell it out for him. As I walk to my car I have a lovely conversation with one of the parents for the home team about the game, his son, and how beautiful a day it was.

When we are at our cars I said that he seemed to take offense very easily and that for someone who went to 3 umpire schools he was out of position a lot, didn't communicate at all, and seemed entirely overmatched in a midlevel HS game. He then asked me if I wanted to settle this like men. I asked him if he was challenging me to a fight. He asked me the same question and reiterated that he would be sending a report to the state. I told him to go ahead and to make sure he sent me a copy as well. He said he wouldn't, I called him a punk, and he drove off.

Anyone who knows me will probably tell you that I am fairly low key and there isn't much that gets me all revved up. This guy did it because he was, as my eldest son would say, aggressively stupid. Not only that, he was not good as an umpire. He struck me as the kind of guy who has to hold the upper hand in every relationship he has. I spoke to my assignor about the pregame text, the in game performance, and the post game antics. Apparently this is not the first time this has happened. This person is only the second person I have asked to never work with again. All of my umpire friends will know what to expect should this name appear on their schedules.

Thanks for the therapy!

Well, the captain part sounds like stolen valor to me. As does the rest of his game and resume.

[concertman1971]

In all my years of umpiring, I have blocked 2 people. TWO. Both of them very well could have been the guy you are talking about...........................

[eddieq]

Maybe he's worked with 250 partners because nobody will work with him twice.

[Thatsnotyou]

Congrats on being a captain in the navy. This isn’t the navy. You’re an umpire today bud…and not a very good one. 

[Richvee]

I’ve known Kevin a long time. He’s one the most cerebral, even keeled, personable people you’ll ever meet. To know him makes this story even more mind blowing.  To hear him tell the story is even better.  

[conbo61]

There is absolutley NO WAY this guy could have made it to O-6 in the Navy.  I have had the privilege to serve with numerous O-6s (some who made it to O-8) and they NEVER would have made it that far with that type of behavior.

I would be suspect of his entire resume.

[834k3r]

On 6/17/2026 at 8:23 AM, umpstu said:

Well, the captain part sounds like stolen valor to me. As does the rest of his game and resume.

 

3 hours ago, conbo61 said:

There is absolutley NO WAY this guy could have made it to O-6 in the Navy.  I have had the privilege to serve with numerous O-6s (some who made it to O-8) and they NEVER would have made it that far with that type of behavior.

I would be suspect of his entire resume.

As a vet I agree with both of these takes. Any retired commissioned officer would know better than to treat anyone with disdain.

[Richvee]

4 hours ago, conbo61 said:

There is absolutley NO WAY this guy could have made it to O-6 in the Navy.  I have had the privilege to serve with numerous O-6s (some who made it to O-8) and they NEVER would have made it that far with that type of behavior.

I would be suspect of his entire resume.

Anything after the "I've been to 3 umpire Schools" comment followed by "I never understood signals", tells you all you need to know about whatever else comes out of his mouth.

[MadMax]

13 hours ago, Richvee said:

To hear him tell the story is even better.

@Kevin_K, I read your story... twice... and I'm "peering around the edges", looking for Rod Serling to walk into the frame. 

On 6/17/2026 at 9:53 AM, Kevin_K said:

He said he never really understood the whole hand signaling thing, so we went through the typical pregame discussion about coverages, rotations, and hand signals.

And he went to 3 (Umpire) Schools?? Even at HWUS, where they teach and drill the "Pro Way" into you with such... impression... that 2 umpires should be able to co-operate without signaling, they still cover signaling. Ya'd think that a guy who is all about military protocol would adopt something as rudimentary as hand signals. Did he serve on an aircraft carrier? Improper or non-use of hand signals will get ya killed. 

If guys ever wonder why I deplore pre-games (I think they're a waste of time and an echo-chamber for poor skills and practices), what you just experienced is Exhibit K. 

On 6/17/2026 at 9:53 AM, Kevin_K said:

umpired in the Armed Service League... [snip]

 In about the 5th inning he said that the home team was acting unsportsmanlike because they would occasionally make some noise as F1 was delivering a pitch.

Tub doesn't match the tile. There's no way – no way – he umpired in the Armed Services League, but yet, is declaring "some noise" during a pitch to be "unsportsmanlike". Absolutely not. Nothing of the Armed Services League is "sportsmanlike". Camaraderie-building? Sure. But the Armed Services extend the adage "All's Fair In Love and War" to include ".. and Inter-branch (Athletic) Contests". 

46 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

Any retired commissioned officer would know better than to treat anyone with disdain.

You're right, but do ya know what two other professions get jaded, and treat others with distrust, contempt and disdain, primarily because they themselves were disrespected in their past? Law Enforcement officers and umpires. 

[Richvee]

6 minutes ago, MadMax said:

And he went to 3 (Umpire) Schools??

I fully believe his "3 umpire schools" were the two mandatory high school association meetings an a cadet on field training day. 

[stevis]

3 schools?  Flunked out of all of them, did ya?