Hoop23

Anybody seen the scrimmage schedule for C'wood?

Good luck having any Umpire held accountable for anything.

Now that was well said!

I'm saying when the guys getting paid to know the protocols and rules don't know them it's a joke. Because there is no accountability, once they pay the fee and take the online test it's like they become part of the Mafia. I read they only have to make an 80 on the test. I guess we should expect what we get when they are only require to be 80% on the knowledge portion. To put that in perspective I hope I never have to have an 80% doctor. Additionally to keep spouting off "why don't you play without them" I say why don't you get better at what you do and create a little credibility in your organization.

Maybe in some area's. But I'd like to know of some examples of accountability. In my experience even when rules are violated there is no recourse on the part of the coach or team. Whatever the Ump says no matter how obviously wrong (and in violation of rules) his word stands. Most other organizations I have been involved in at least had some protest procedure to handle rule violations. I’m not aware of any with the TSSAA. However, I may be wrong if so please enlighten me.

Man people start getting testy when we start talking accountability. I think the better Umps would not have a problem at all. It would be the incompetent, under paid, over worked ones that have to leave work early that it would hurt. I know that some people complain even when the Umps are doing a great job so this is a different argument. I'm not talking about mistakes or human error. All I'm talking about is improving, and the first step in improving a process is acknowledging the problem.. If the current defined strike zone is too rigorous for the level of play why not make the plate bigger so everyone knows what's a strike and what is not. I think many Umps do a good job and are hard working professionals. I just think that the total lack of accountability in the areas I'm familiar with is the source of the problem. I've never seen anyone who didn't do a better job no matter what the job was when they were held accountable for their performance.

The worst part about a Umpire widening the strike zone is when they are too stupid to keep their mouth shut about it. I have heard multiple Umpires almost bragging about widening the strike zone. It's usually with people in the crowd sitting close to the fence and after someone else was complaining about balls and strikes. I know it's not an easy job, because I've done it and I know it's not all Umpires, but it seems to be getting more prevalent. I have also watched game film with Umps calling strikes 12 inches off the plate. What is and is not a strike is defined in the rules. I know their are extreme situations when calling loose strikes may be the most sportsman choice. However, I think many go way too extreme in cases and I'm not talking about missing one every now and again neither. I'm just looking to improve what we're getting and create a little accountability. So if that means we need to pay a little more I think it would be worth it.

I personally think the umpires are getting worse every season and I have been around High School and Middle School baseball for more than 20 years. Most are only in it for the money and do not care about doing a good job because their is no accountability. In most games I attend all they are concerned with is how quickly they can get the game finished. I also get tired of hearing Ump's talk about having to widen the strike zone. This is just an excuse to be incompetent. If they did this in basketball would it mean that a team that has a low field goal percentage would be allowed to shot on a basket with a larger diameter rim. I don't really see the difference. We did have a crew this last week from the Dickson Association that were the best I've seen behind the plate in years. But I do believe overall we are on a downhill slide.

I think this could be interesting. Not sure when or if these two played each other in BB.