As most of you know, I don't bitch about umping too much because I realize that they're not in the majors. Our last two homeplate umpires have been awful though and not just for us. I chat with guys all game and everyone on the field realizes that calls are just awful, particularly balls and strikes. I usually don't care what the zone is as long as it goes both ways, but guys on both teams are getting punched out on pitches that are so far off the plate that you couldn't hit them. Anyone else having this issue?
I would like to talk about your teams conduct on the field. From throwing a bat 1/2 way up the backstop. To arguing with the other team. To smoking in the bullpen area on the field. From A player that was thrown out of the game staring down the umps in the parking lot after he was told to leave the park. I am not saying this about all of you because their are some very classy guys on your team. I also want to say how sorry I am about your pitcher. I hope he as a speedy recovery. That was worse part of that game. Good luck the rest of the Year. ..
Managers have been trained to discuss umpiring in a constructive manner. My suggestion would be to let Mario know your concerns and he can address it with the league rather than airing dirty laundry on the Bulletin Board.
I feel there is some frustration and that is what Rick saw umpiring our game... He did a great job on the bases but the home plate umpire left a lot to be desired. Now because of the frustration he sees my team in a negative light which though understandable is not fair! There was other factors that caused the frustration and angst. I would say it probably was best not to be put on the bulletin board. I have a team of guys that are big hearted and great people!!!!
I don't see how asking if other teams are having issues with the umpiring is airing dirty laundry. I was simply asking if anyone else was having a similar problem and that it wasn't an issue with our team, but an issue for both teams. I clearly stated that the issue went both ways. The few times I've posted on this board, someone always goes on the attack. I'm not sure why that happens, but I thought this was here to open dialogue. Apparently I was wrong.
As for the game the other night, I was not one of those guys conducting themselves in that manner and I never will be. I am usually the one telling people to knock it off as I was that night.
If you all feel it is a success to drive someone away from here, then you have succeeded.
Barry
-- Edited by Nolesfan on Monday 9th of June 2014 10:24:50 PM
One more observation.......you each decided to post on this thread, but none of you posted on the thread to wish Mike well after he broke his arm pitching.
Good point Barry. I have a brother in law who injured his ankle so severely giving 110percent effort early in the season last year that he missed the remainder of the season. That's more than a little tough for a guy who plays for the love of the game. Best of luck for a speedy and complete recovery for Mike.
-- Edited by crowbait on Monday 9th of June 2014 11:37:53 PM
If you read all of my post I did wish your team and your pitcher well. That was one of the worst things I ever saw happen in all the years I have been involved in any baseball activities. Also Mario if I get the pleasure of being a umpire at one of your games again i let bygones be bygones. If you want to talk call me. 505-2278. Also Barry if you were the 1st baseman which I think you were you were one of the classy guys on the field and if I offended you I apologize.
If you read all of my post I did wish your team and your pitcher well. That was one of the worst things I ever saw happen in all the years I have been involved in any baseball activities. Also Mario if I get the pleasure of being a umpire at one of your games again i let bygones be bygones. If you want to talk call me. 505-2278. Also Barry if you were the 1st baseman which I think you were you were one of the classy guys on the field and if I offended you I apologize.
I was playing first and I appreciate what you said. In reading what I wrote originally, I also have to apologize to you for lumping you in. I thought you did a really nice job in the field. I really hope we have you as an umpire again.
Good point Barry. I have a brother in law who injured his ankle so severely giving 110percent effort early in the season last year that he missed the remainder of the season. That's more than a little tough for a guy who plays for the love of the game. Best of luck for a speedy and complete recovery for Mike.
-- Edited by crowbait on Monday 9th of June 2014 11:37:53 PM
Having been to the managers meetings and discussing the manner in which umpire critiquing is supposed to be handled, I just thought I'd offer a suggestion. Further, I have been reprimanded in the past for Bulletin Board "infractions" and I thought I'd offer some advice speaking from experience.
I wasn't calling you or any of your teammates out. Just trying to help. I don't want to see you, Mario or any of the Rays get into hot water with the league. That's all.
Best of luck to the Rays for the remainder of the season and a speedy recovery to your fallen teammate.
Having been to the managers meetings and discussing the manner in which umpire critiquing is supposed to be handled, I just thought I'd offer a suggestion. Further, I have been reprimanded in the past for Bulletin Board "infractions" and I thought I'd offer some advice speaking from experience.
I wasn't calling you or any of your teammates out. Just trying to help. I don't want to see you, Mario or any of the Rays get into hot water with the league. That's all.
Best of luck to the Rays for the remainder of the season and a speedy recovery to your fallen teammate.
Rob, I appreciate your input and unfortunately text doesn't always come across the way we intend it to. I was aware of the fact that we could ask for an umpire to not call our games again, but I was unaware that we were forbidden to even bring the topic of umpiring up. I didn't consult with Mario prior to posting so I'd hope that if someone has an issue with what I've brought up they would direct it at me only. If people are so sensitive that they can't take constructive criticism, then I guess there is no way to improve and become better than we were yesterday.
Thank you for the well wishes for Rocco and I appreciate your good intentions (I just didn't read them that way the first time)
Well done boys - it is refreshing to see a post like this go right when it had the potential to get ugly! .... And best of luck to the injured player.
As Rob said the best way to handle this is through the managers ..... and the managers definitely have some input.
We used to be able to block umpires and we had an issue in the 45's a couple of years ago where the entire division banned one particular ump who was making a mockery of the game. He started off the pre game meeting with the statement "you know i have a big strike zone" and then proceeded to call strikes on pitches that were a foot or more off the plate.
To address your question Barry i think we all know that our umps have a strike zone that is bigger than it really is. I can't tell you how many times i have seen a pitch 3 inches low and 3 inches outside called a strike. As a general rule the umps are consistent as far as calling it fairly for both teams but it doesn't change the fact that it alters the game. The whole idea of working the pitch count to get a 2-0 or 3-1 pitch is difficult to accomplish when you have a 2-2 count after seeing 4 pitches out of the strike zone.
But .... the flip side is a tighter zone will result in longer games and if we decide to push for more realistic strike zones then we may need to institute some sort of time limits on our games.
Here is a rare but what I feel is an accurate analysis. It's a rec league, so we get rec league umps. Most are really good! I have had the benefit of the home plate umps that give us 6inches on the corners, and I've had the ones that have the major league zone where you have to plate it for you sluggers. I have seen missed calls go our way, I have seen missed calls go against us. What I say is as long as I am giving my best effort on the mound and am gonna be crippled for 3-4 days, I expect the umps who are earning $ to give the same effort. Don't screw a team if they jab you over a blown call, and always keep a level head. I for one have seen this 99% of the time in our great league. I can only think of 1 umpire who embarrassed himself in recent years. And that's ok with me. God bless you all and may we all be safe and healthy. And to the injured pitcher.......rest up my friend. I'm so sorry!
