I'm about to umpire my last game tonight most likely, I've had enough. Sad, because I feel like I have been able to keep play fair, safe and have a relatively positive impact on most players and coaches I've umpired for
What's just as bad is the conversation in the background. Don't know who said it or who it was directed towards, but given the coach's behavior I'm going to assume it was directed at the umps. Sounds like someone told the ump to "head back to the retirement home where you belong." Just absolutely atrocious and inexcusable behavior.
As a coach I know how to stand up for my players with an umpire....this is not it!! As an umpire, I know how much I will take from a coach before they get rung up...cursing like that is one way to do it. This coach needs to do better. And if anyone is wondering, this is one of the reasons there is an ump shortage. The other is parents.
a lot at stake at all these travel tournaments... championship T-shirts and plastic rings for the players and a chance to post on the teams website... you know, life changing stuff...
Okay. I know this is probably meant to show the team that you're more than willing to stand up for them if you feel they got done dirty, and to motivate them to fight for and play better for you in response. But...my guy. These are elementary schoolers you're coaching. Middle schoolers at the most. This is NOT appropriate behavior to be modeling around them, no matter how upset or justified you are. They look up to you as a role model. Act like it if you want your team to succeed.
