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I umpire girls fast-pitch softball. Ages range from 10 to 18. Mostly I do school ball in the spring and competitive during the summer months. When I am behind the plate you have to call every pitch. Maybe 120 per game. It's a lot of pressure. You have the batter, the pitcher, and the coach commenting of just about every pitch. Then you have the fans and parents. Beside the pitches, you have to make other calls such as safe, out, fair and foul. I have to make snap decisions all the time and have all the rules in my head. One side loves you and the other side hates you. Many people can't do it. Many people don't want to do it. You have to be diplomatic and tough. That's why there is such a shortage of umpires these days. Most folks do not want to put up with the grief...

Philistrate 5 July 28
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1

It's why I give umps in MLB the benefit of the doubt most of the time.....unless it's an obvious and blatant bad call. One example is when in little league we had an ump show up to a game drunk and he was calling strikes when the ball hit the plate lol. I think umps get it right more often than not. As spectators (in person), we don't have the same viewpoint as the ump, and it's not like the umps are TRYING to get calls wrong. It's just perception and the best as they can see it. Even on tv when I can see the strikes and balls box I try to still give the ump the benefit of the doubt. I can't help but complain about some calls though. I don't know if Aaron Judge of the Yankees has the same opinion as I do, but he NEVER complains or argues with an ump. You're kind of damned if you do and damned if you don't as an ump. The strike you call for one pitcher has the opposing dugout complaining, and then in the next half of the inning it's the same just in reverse. Umps will never be appreciated or be on neutral ground. I just don't see arguing with the guy as anything beneficial because he's not going to change the call and now we both have stress and animosity towards one another so you aren't helping your cause for the next pitch or AB or play, and stress builds up and second guessing yourself does too. At the end of the day it really is just a game (even though I've loved it my whole life and sometimes you feel cheated) and everyone's mental health is a bigger factor. I don't need to ruin anyone's day by screaming at them because they called a strike when I thought it was a ball etc.

Well said!

@Philistrate Thank you. I fear I'm in the minority though lol

There is a Yankees message board I'm a part of and some fans relentlessly talk bad about the umps.

1

Good on you for doing it, especially in this "climate" when people get so angry about nothing.

1

Much respect to you! My boys both played little league, my oldest went on to play with more serious leagues in high school. The umpires put up with so much crap from both sides and get very little appreciation.

2

I work in women's (and girls'😉 sport - just wanted to say thanks for doing what you do!

Jnei Level 8 July 28, 2018
1

If you can take that much pressure maybe you should run for president!

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