When Dad Becomes "Blue"

by Brent McLaren

The next transition to umpire was also easy, until I had Monday night's off. Working as a first year umpire in a new league was an enjoyable experience for me. I would be on the field Tuesday and Thursday of each week and occasionally pick up a Wednesday game. No problems, that let me attend my daughter's game on Monday night and my son's games on Wednesday and Friday. Then reality hit. At my daughter's Monday game, I am about to find out, the league was not assigning umpires. Moms and dads, brothers and sisters (mostly dads) were expected to work the plate.

On my first night in the stands my daughter is whispering to her coach, who talks to the other coach and then walks over, puts his hand out and says "I understand you umpire, by the way I'm ...." I agreed. The equipment the league had was minimal so I walked over to the car, pulled out my bags, changed in the parking lot and walked behind the plate, powder blues and all.

It was an uneventful game that required a lot of attention, instruction and despite a mercifully large strike zone featured a ton of walks. "Smallest number of walks in a game this season so far" said the coach.. Sometimes you are just thankful for a mercy rule.

When a young player first works with am umpire there are a lot of things to comprehend: the sound of the calls, the pace the umpire brings to the game. The umpire also brings "hustle" and suddenly has new instructions such as "please keep your catcher's equipment on while you are on the bench." The umpire also has to remember this is instructional ball and since you may be the first "real" umpire they have played with there are a lot of subtle changes to accomplish. One team regularly trotted out down the first base line to give high fives to any batter who walked. That would end quickly!

"Hey Blue ... What's the score"

I raise this point because the next complaint comes occasionally from parents and spectators who think each umpire brings bias to the game. Am I denying there are "homer" umpires? No, I just have never worked with one yet. Lucky? Not really, just the way it seems to be. The fans? They believe that every call "they" make is right. Sitting 140 feet out and to the side of the plate affords them a better view than you.

"You can't be on the field for your kid's games anymore ....."

Article I of the National Association of Sport Officials Code of Ethics states: "Sports officials must be free of obligation to an interest other than the impartial and fair judging of sports competitions. Without equivocation, game decisions which are slanted by personal bias are dishonest and unacceptable." Article II extends this by adding: "Sports officials recognize that anything which may lead to a conflict of interest, either real apparent, must be avoided."

I am strongly in support of the NASO's stand but in defense most umpires have children, or have had children in the sport. We tend to know the player's moms and dads, uncles and aunts, even grand parents, often on a first name basis. They know us too. When I expressed my concern as a rookie about potentially being on the same diamond as my son the umpire-in-chief told me to forget it. "Don't worry, unless I see his number in front of me I probably don't know it was my son who came up to bat." Truth is, he was right, but I still agree and stand with the NASO's "free of obligation" requirement.

The winds blow, the seasons change, and one person's policy is not the same as the next. What was a "good game" is now "potential for bias", what was "hey, we got an umpire!" becomes a "valid reason" to question every strike, ball, safe or out. In all fairness this cannot be permitted to happen.

What the "stand sitting" umpire has to know

1. Sit away from the crowd entirely. Don't sit near the plate, or even in the main bleacher area. You will simply get asked too many questions.
2. If you are asked a question about a rule, answer it only if it does not apply to a play that has taken place. In fact, don't even refer to the game going on when you give your answer.
3. Never carry a rule book with you to the game. It looks like you are checking up on the umpires if you open it at any time..
4. Do not discuss the game with the officials on the field. Don't approach them at the fence before, during or after the game. They may be your friends and colleagues and if they come to you keep your discussions to the weather, what's up for you etc. After the game consider it improper to review the game with them. Remember, they were out there and had the perspective on the play you wished you had.
5. Score the game! You are going to be attentive anyway so learn to keep a box score. You can be just a focused as if you were officiating and have a reason to be that notch more attentive you would normally be anyway.
6. If approached by a fan to discuss the officiating, or any particular play, it is better to let them know that you do not discuss those matters. Don't give an evasive answer. "I'm sorry but I make a point never to discuss a play" is a far better answer than the "Well, that's the way it goes isn't it?" type of answer.
7. Always have your equipment in your car. You may not be scheduled but illness, injury or other factors may have left an umpire alone for that game. Once they spot you in the crowd you can be sure the next question will be "Do you have your equipment with you?" Being able to answer 'yes' can mean a better game for everyone.

An umpire/parent must be prepared to walk that fine line between ethics, conduct and parental responsibility.

You know the next question .... "You do everyone else's games? Why don't you do mine?"

... coincidentally written on my daughter's birthday .... April 26, 1996