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Online now: 4 members: 3_SoftballFreak, Coach5, LC7, TABLE SETTER 11; 81 anonymousDiscussion: Its suppose to be about players playing the game
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| Aug. 7, 2015 bbullet 38 posts | Its suppose to be about players playing the game Its rare but on the other hand why do we have to put up with it? Just finished playing in the Western Nationals. Had an umpire who thought playing in the tournament WAS ABOUT HiM and not about the game! In the pool play - in two games in a row both teams could not believe he let the arc go way above the limit...he declared " It was his interpretation". I thought the organization had determined the rule. It took the bat out of everyones hand and changed the fun of playing. On a ball hit down the line he called nothing - when the runner on first asked why he didn't call foul he declared it was the runners responsibility to be watching whether the ball was fair or foul. He then declared in a demonstrative voice twice that " NO ONE HAS SEEN AN UMPIRE LIKE ME!" In the championship game we had the misfortune of having him again. In the first inning a ball was hit to left field and the outfielder came in and made a catch that could have gone either way - again he called nothing. The runners did not know what to do - after everyone asked whats the call he finally made the call. I guess he thought the runners should know what the call should be. Of course at the start of each of his games he talked about "throwing people out". What ever happened to have fun? But here is where you got to ask yourself - why does he umpire? For the the final days game which didnt start till 8:30 HE SHOWS UP LATE!! So unprofessional - but get this - he starts mouthing about wanting to REDO THE COIN FLIP!?!? Because it was "his game" and that didn't count! Really??? his game????- put his ego aside or put him out of Senior softball the game needs not to adjust to him - we pay too much and want to play too much. |
| Aug. 7, 2015 neck10 714 posts | sometime's I don't get a hit or hit into double play or drop fly ball,but usally am held accountable.Im sure if someone would call 916-326-5303 instead of complain on here,much more action would happen.everyone is human,i've never called ssusa office and didn't get someone to answer my question.you got to remember were older than most of the ump's & know the game much better (LOL).we played in Columbus Indiana this weekend in the ISA worlds the umps were from tn.I thought the one wasn't calling the arc arc correct,I ask him he said no it wasn't. so I was on first base look at fence,walked over to ump inbetween inning's ask him you see that top bar on back stop,he told me before I ask he said that's way higher than what your pitcher is throwing.I told him to look at first bar he said ok .how high is that he said three feet I then point out that the highest one was the fourth one,he did the math everything was fine after that |
| Aug. 7, 2015 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | at least ya get to play....we have an umpire here in league who whine so much about the senior games taking to long (he has to stay to long and he has to work the next day) that the diretor decided to change our game..oh and he is new to the parks and recs here in tyler.....when question about it his reply was "if don't like it go the neighboring town and play there"..... this ump had the gall to say he doesn't get overtime pay for games that go over...but when asked do you give back money for when games are done early.....no answer for that.....but hey i always thought that umps are paid for the game..not the time of it..... so now we play straight ASA rules..no open innings or 5 run rule per inning....and this was instituted in the middle of our season...not before we started the season...... |
| Aug. 7, 2015 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | I hate to hear tales like this. I umpire because I like doing it. If I could still play, I would do that. I believe that I am only as good as my last bad call, that the game is bigger than all of us; umpires are there for players, not the other way around, and that no matter how good an umpire is, showboating ruins that. I believe in hustle and being approachable (right, neck10?). We have had some nightmare situations here with some of the supposed great umpires recently. I know ones that are bad examples. The best games are the ones that the players do not even remember who the umpire was. |
| Aug. 8, 2015 bbullet 38 posts | Nancy - It's refreshing to hear from an umpire on this. Most people who have played this game would say the same thing about "the best games are the ones that the players do not even remember who the umpire was." But with this guy you knew right from the very first game in pool play that he had his own deal. HE decided there would not be a coin flip to determine home team. HE decided that one team was better and the other team to could take either home or visitors! It sad this Senior Softball organization lets him umpire. |
| Aug. 20, 2015 Wayne 37 Men's 65 773 posts | @ bbullet ~ That guy doesn't need to be called back again. If he did as you say he did, both teams should have walked off the field. @Nancy Allen ~ I umpired some good high school baseball here in Texas. Believe me, coaches do notice a good professional job. They know we're not professionals, but they do appreciate your hustle, and I could be approached, but in the right manner. You also have to realize that all coaches aren't as knowledgeable, so you sometimes have to help them along. I've been to tournaments where only one umpire works the game. They are out there all day, and they don't get a break between innings. If it were easy, more people would do it. |
| Aug. 20, 2015 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | I would want to see the play too, but the thing that I always emphasize in these situations is that the runner always has the right to the base path UNLESS the fielder has the ball or is in the process of fielding the ball. Of course these are often very emotional conversations especially when the runner causes interference. "What was I supposed to do?" Give yourself up, or find a way around it. Also remember, especially at home, that the runner must avoid contact with the fielder. |
| Aug. 20, 2015 stick8 1992 posts | Good points Wayne37. Let me add that umpires who ump slo-pitch leagues or tourneys solely for the money most times end up being the worst umps. As for the umpire in question I'm not sure what his thinking was on a ball hit down the line. If it's fair you point fair and say nothing. If it's foul you scream 'foul" so everyone can hear it. If your a player and you hear nothing then presume it's fair. |
| Aug. 21, 2015 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | My Warriors team got lucky, We had great luck in our umpires. We had A great umpire for at least 4 of our games. He was consistent with the height and was friendly with all. Which always is a pleasant way to play softball.. |
| Aug. 21, 2015 Sparky.1 Men's 75 284 posts | All this discussion on this “rose-colored glasses” Umpire who should have never been allowed to take the field, my question. Where was the Western Nationals Tournament Director and the Western Nationals Tournament Umpire-In-Chief while all of this was happening? Whoever hired this “clown” should be held accountable as well. |
| Aug. 22, 2015 Sparky.1 Men's 75 284 posts | I remember one Umpire (he is retired now in AZ) from the Mid-Michigan area that would kick a player out of an upcoming game if he caught him/her drinking a beer out in the parking lot whether he was the scheduled Umpire for that game. This was prior to the scheduled contest. He was a pure joke but the City of Lansing kept him on their schedule and to this day, no one ever understood why. Hopefully this is not the Umpire in question but he could diffidently be a "dead-ringer" for this Western tourney Umpire. Live well 3CPO.....That was the nickname everyone called him. |
