umpire27

I have read all these post about the umpiring and it hurts as a College and High School Umpire for 35 years to read this about our great game .I worked the State years ago and then we would bring up 3 Umpires who knew how to work a 3 man crew we either called 1 day or 2 now you have to stay for a week that cuts it down to a small few who can come and umpires who have never called a 3 man together are working all the games never the same umpires.Do we have bad games? Yes but no excuse for not knowing rules and one call does not cost a game.All the AD'S here chose not to work 3 man in the tournament so when they get to state they haven't worked it.TSSAA needs to step in on this one.I have always believed in Umpires being graded and the best should get the best games but this will never happen in the State as long as they make us come for the whole week.The same ones will keep coming back I work for a living and want take my vacation to come there as most of us want.They work hard and I promise they are not trying to cheat any team or kids some coaches are better then others some umpires better then others just part of the game.Congrats to all the teams who made it memories they will never forget !!!

So very true !

This is so true it's just the sad world we live in that so many people look for the bad in everything and never what good is coming from it.Thank you for the kind words and yes we as umpires do like a little thank you for loving baseball and kids enough to work all day and then go umpire a game think how many umpires they would be if we only done it for the money or to satisfy fans or coaches ? Answer is easy 0 but I love the game it's my way of staying in it for the last 35 years and will continue to stay in it as long as the Good Lord keeps me healthy and I can give the kids a good game !!

AA District Championship !

No not really trust me it's just a popularity contest they just send who pretty much ask to go . I know for a fact their is some good umpires in the state though.

You are probably right because if you don't umpire you have no idea how hard we work and for us who love the game and bust our butts to give the kids the best game we can give them for a very small pay.I umpired the Championship game In AA Last Week 3 hours 30 mins 27 runs 36 hits 10 innings and 334 Pitches not one time were we out of position and nothing said about my Zone see all good and nothing said but we understand that's what we want !!

I would put Baxter from Erwin at Number 1 and Lady at North Green at 2 .

I have umpired in East Tennessee and at the College level for 35 years and I do agree I have seen many umpires in it just for the small pay we get and they don't work the game like they should.I also know we have many meetings before and during the season and camps teaching the right way to work a game.I bust my butt every game no matter if it is Single A or College the kids deserve the best we as Umpires on the most part work 8 hour jobs then rush to the games and sometimes don't get home until very late that night.I also buy all my equipment around 500.00 worth and pay my gas and most of the times we sigh a piece of paper and they mail our checks whenever.I love the game that is why I do it and I miss calls but who doesn't we work 2 man crews and do our best to be in position and you never here about how we hustle and get calls right only if we miss one.I know the Tri-Cities Association works hard to be the best we can.I wonder how many Coaches Clinics the Coaches go to? I am looking forward to the Tournaments it's what we work for !!!