An Umpire’s Viewpoint
Image by chemisti via FlickrI received an email today from our Umpire in Chief . He was commenting on the spectator’s perspective. Here is his observation:
"You see that crowd over there, they REALLY want the outcome on a play to be one way. And that crowd of people over there, they REALLY believe what they’re about to see is going to have a completely different result. In a way they’re all predisposed to believing what they see, before the play even happens.
Now me, as I don’t care either way who scores the most runs, I may just be the best judge of things out there – good angle, bad angle or no angle at all"!
How true is that observation? So often we see managers, coaches, and spectators questioning umpire’s calls. Why? If you don’t dwell on a bad call, it will quickly be in the past and as you move forward, it will not really even be an issue in the game.
I have noticed a continued lack of respect for authority. Check out #2 on a softball blog I found. He provides an interesting insight to the spectators chastising of the umpires. Besides his perspective, what are we teaching the kids? Why are we surprised when they disrespect all levels of authority when they are older? Why are we surprised so many kids get in so much trouble any more? Might we all want to look in the mirror?
Everyone needs a moan and grown every now and then, but constantly abusing the umpires is ridiculous!
How will we ever find umpires if this is how they are treated? How will we ever raise leaders if they are not taught respect?
Do you have any bad spectator or manager stories to share?
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