dluump

All I can say is that it kinda stinks they put that new Gymnasium and rebuilding all these schools in the district, but we cant get a decent revision on the stadium. I sure wish facility improvements cost was not an issue either, could sure help in getting one of those coaches to come to the stump.

I played football at pine tree several moons ago. One thing that always bothered me, is that some of the best athletes in the school are not even on the football team. I saw speed running up and down the soccer field, but I cant remember one of those guys playing on a football field in the fall. (except the kicker) We could have sure used a few of them. I do believe that there needs to be a shake up in the attitude, "we are pine tree and we are not good at football" but that is hard to do without a winning season or playoffs in some time. Granted the district they are in is pretty darn tough and it could be hard to get that attitude running. I hope the search for the new coach goes well because, spring football is right around the corner. The kids are going to be behind without a coach to get prepared for next year.

Wilson has lost it. I know he had a smooth day yesterday, but those are rare for him.

Thats great. I have had the pleasure of calling with guys from the tyler chapter in the playoffs and they do an excellent job.

Late calls on b alls, strikes and fouls? So now we dont call in a timely manner. LOL! I am always slow on any call because i want to see the full play develop, process, and then make my call. Nothing looks worse calling someone out and the ball comes out and you change it to safe. Now if it is a bang bang call after I see, process and make the call, i do sell it but that is the extent of my speed. I also didnt know that umpires were suppose to show emotion on a field. I dont want to bring any attention to myself, I feel the best games are the ones you dont even know the umpires are there, or remember a single call they made. There is enough emotion in the stands, I dont want to add to it.

I think it is sad that we have people on here bringing these items up. This has nothing to do with sports, it has to do with a persons livelyhood. I know you have the right to know... well find out for youself and that way you know. This is not the place to bring this up. And if you want to point out that several coaches make great money at their jobs... it is probably because they are successful in what they do. And if they get paid great money.. great for them and they probably deserve it. Nothing wrong for a man to get paid what he thinks he is worth.

I know this guy is just a teacher, but you should listen to how much he makes.

Peon, When you post a thread Umpires, how bad can THEY get, you make the statement to all umpires. I hope that you would understand many umpires in east texas take their officiating extremely seriously, and again when you point out all umpires in saying they, what kind of reaction do you expect? I am sorry an official in your neck of the woods showed up late, didnt know the infield fly rule etc. I would advise you as a coach to call you local chapter president and have the discussion with him, so it can be discussed with the offficial, not coming on a public board making a broad statement of how bad umpires are getting. I know our chapter has a policy of showing up 30 - 45 minutes before each game. Again these are things that should be taken care of through the chapter you are using. Time to head out to the parks.... and I do have both pairs of shoes shined and ready to go.

LOL..... it is a good story... but smoaky has allowed no profanity so I cant tell the story to the best of its ability, and furthermore, that story is best told among friends.

During a district meeting about four five years ago, we had a training from an umpire that was teaching that mechanic. Personally, I do not use it because I feel to open to punishment from foul ####, lazy catchers etc. The instructors idea of it was you were able to see thing much better. I dont agree, but it is what the umpire is comfortable using. I tried it a little on some summer league to see what it was like but I didnt care for it. I hope something is resolved with the UIL but from what I hear the UIL is making moves to form their own chapters to officiate games. I will probably not call if they take away the ability for TASO or whatever seperate ruling body cover officiating sports. If that happens it will be a monopoly and control for the UIL to do whatever they want. I have never had the UIL do anything for officials in protection, insurance etc. I have never even heard a nice word from them for what we do. Granted when was the last time a Tyler, Longview, or SFA umpire get invited to the state tournament. I think it has been a long time. I know of several umpires from both chapters that would do an excellent job in Austin. But do to the struggles between the UIL and the east texas chapters, I dont think it will happen any time soon. I do like teaming vetran umpires with the newer officials to help teach and train during live games. I enjoy helping new guys and helping them learn to call the game. There is a lot of guys out there that know baseball and would probably be good officials, I just dont understand why that wont come and call when they are so short fused on the guys that are out there working. I personally have no chip on my shoulder about calling this year. Would I put up with as much as before... probably not, but I have like many other umpires installed in my head that it is not the coaches that have cause the situation, but the UIL. And trust me, I have already heard from the stands, yall wanted more pay and you call like this? What am I to think?

Some of us current umpires have been on the other side of the line too... and not as a volunteer. And I agree the game needs to be called to the level and guidelines of the Federation Rule Book. And all chapters can do is keep having clinics and training, but until we get more people involved, we are going to be short on officials, and to tell you the truth it is kinda hard to keep them around with people not being flexable and any time learning the rules, and mechanics. And if you are not in east texas, why would you start this comment in an east texas forum? I dont know, I am sorry that you have had some guys that have not called your games well. I hope things get better for you and have a great season.

If you were truely a high school umpire... and you truely cared about the integrity of baseball officiating, you would be a guy who would have handled it in a different way.

The only thing I can think of is "wow" on your comments peon. I cant believe a self called former umpire on here bashing other umpires. I know real umpires, I have called with some of the best, and I have called with guys that are trying to improve their game, but I have never seen an umpire (former and current) come on here and bash a fellow umpire. If you were truely concerned for the shape of umpiring in east texas, why dont you do somthing about it than come on a public board and make remarks the way you have. Your just a problem maker, not a problem solver. I am sure glad my pops raised me by saying "dont complain about things unless your ready to help fix it". So, it is a free board, and you can complain all you want and bash east texas umpires, and I could care less if you put up or shut up to help out, but I truely think it is sad that you, a former umpire acting they way you are on here. I hope that you didnt run to many young guys off from officiating because they were not good enough when you called in your other state."

Pitching duels doesnt not always mean strikeouts.. Good pitchers get ground balls... pop ups... and fly balls. Crash Davis, "Stop trying to strike everyone out...strike outs are facist anyway... spread the ball around... its more democratic." To all you baseball gurus... i know i did not quote it completely correctly from the movie. but you get the idea.

Also, I love pitchers duels... just like pitchers get into a good sync when pitching.. umpires do too. Great defense and solid pitching make into great baseball games. Coaches have to really coach to pull out bunt coverages, situational hitting, proper pitches to throw etc. It brings out the best in everyone on a field.