That's the problem.. Daboss
New umpires want to umpire for the money.. be darned about the rules and learning them.
The amount of umpires is soooooo far down in numbers the last two years.. that is it becoming critical actually.
I can't remember getting so many emails in my box for associations looking for umpires than I have the last two years.
Last night for example.. I was doing mens slow pitch. Talking with a player of the game.. telling him about the need for umpires and a good second income and all... then it went off on another field. Players screaming about a call, etc...
The catcher turned to me and said, " That is why I second guess going into umpiring. I don't know how you guys take it".
To which I replied, " You don't have to take it. You control the game on your field."
There is no excuse for an umpire that is not willing to listen to both sides... and if he feels he is not sure on something... confer with the rule book. There is no shame in that as an umpire. You will be respected more for doing the right thing and getting it "rule book right"
But, there seems to be a code somewhere in the rule book ... telling umpires they are "the greatest and be darned the rule book as you know it all".