I've been umpiring since I was 9 years old in the rec leagues around my hometown. I learned from the best umpires I could surround myself with as I wanted to always do right.
I played the game and when I left HS ... played the game some more until I hurt my knee at 24 and been umpiring softball ever since. I'll be 52 this summer. I love the game. It has been good to me over the years and I try to give back to the game. I have many, many friends and it is so fun to watch the "kids" I umpired as boys showing up at girls fastpitch games with a smile and a handshake. Nothing better in my mind.
The game has changed.. especially on the mens side. Boring to me anymore.
But, it has changed on the girl's side as well. Whatever happened to the "respect" that should be given to the umpire. It has went downhill the past few years. I partially blame the lack of good umpires coming up through the ranks. Terrible mechanics, terrible rules knowledge and no pride in what they do. None... Some. it's is just a paycheck.
Which in turn.. hurts the good umpires who do take pride in their job. It's a job and that is what most umpires don't look at it to be. I think that is what upsets me the most anymore. By goodness, I am being paid by hard working people to do the best I can do.. to have the rules knowledge and not look at it as " you should be glad I showed up to do your game" attitude that some have. Believe you me, that attitude is out there.
I'm tough on umpires.. especially the ones I have work for me. I'm the toughest and have been told that by a few in the past two years. I expect them to be at the pre-tournament meeting 45 minutes before game time. No exceptions. That gives me 15 minutes to get them tuned up on the rules, certain park rules, then it gives them 20 mintes to dress and be on the field ten minutes before game time doing ground rules. It's a clock.
But, my umpires like working for me... as they know I weed out the ones that can't figure it out ! Nothing worse than to be on one field and on another some idiots over there is making up thier own rules or lack of hustle and the teams come to your field with an attitude already because of the people from the other fields not doing their JOB. Ask any umpire. You want to work a tournament where EVERYBODY is doing their JOB. Less problem as an umpire and less problems as a TD. Better for the teams.
I will say that I have seen some very good umpires coming out of the USSSA Dayton side of things past couple of years. Professional work, attitude and appearence. And those three things are the most important.
Miss a call.... it happens. That's life. Not know the rule... better not happen on my watch with my umpires. I pay umpire up and over what they normally make.. but by goodness I get the best wanting to work for me, too.
These TD's that are taking what these assigners are sending them are absolutely crazy in my book as we all know umpires can make or break a TD.. when in reality it is not his fault because he got what he got... that being from an assigner that "hooks" up the good ole boys.
It's almost May and I haven't done a game yet and if you know me... you wouldn't believe that was possible as I am using doing early March men's somewhere.
I am looking forward to this weekend's tournament in Beavercreek. I really am. I washed my uniforms this morning... shined my shoes... cleaned up the gear.. got my extra clothing in case it is wet ( as they are calling for rain all weekend more or less).
I'll be there 45 minutes before game time... thank the TD for his hard work for providing work for us umpires... get the rules... and do ground rules 10 minutes before game time.
And give everything I got to these girls... and hope the others are as well. And pray that I can walk off a field after each and every game unnoticed. That's what you work hard to have happen.
