teeboan

The Beaumont baseball chapter of TASO will be starting soon. We are looking for new members, come join the fun! We meet at the IBEW Local 479 hall at 1430 Spindletop Beaumont TX 77705. Our first meeting will be 12/06 at 7:00 pm. Training for new umpires will begin the following week on 12/13 at 6:00 p.m. with the general meeting after at 7:00. Our training staff does a fantastic job of getting you prepared to work. They will work with you in the classroom, batting cages and on the field. Feel free to call me if you have any questions at 409 781 1342. Thanks and hope to see you at the meetings. Tim Summers, TASO Beaumont Baseball president.

I for one do not envy umpires in any way.  And yes I am one at times hollering in the stands.  But I have been been on the other side once as well and once was enough for me. I was conned into calling third base years ago in a little league game. This was the only time I ever called a game and was to use to just watching the game.  Runners on first and second. A ball hit in the air that fell I believe.  It was thrown to third where the third baseman while kneeling on the bag caught it and attempted to tag the runner.  He missed the tag and I called him safe.  The fans went nuts.  And after a moment I realized it was a force out and I had to correct the call.  That was enough for me. 

People used to ref because they loved the games and liked making a little extra $$$. I strongly believe that the overall climate of how we treat one another is largely to blame. Why would I want to dedicate my nights and weekends to going out and getting disrespected and possibly attacked? Maybe 25 years ago when you might catch a little heat over a blown call, but to have to hear that crap over every call you make is ridiculous. Every close call an official makes will elicit a prompt howl form whichever side feels like they were wronged. "Love of the game" isn't enough to make most guys want to put up with that crap. 
Video evidence has made their job that much harder. Now we can pick which camera angle we prefer as evidence that the ump screwed up during his fraction of a second that he had to look at the pitch... and still be carrying on a week later. 
So if guys that actually love the game won't officiate, who gets left? Guys who just need the money, or guys who wouldn't have cut it as an official back before so many good refs stopped officiating. 
I'd be willing to bet that none of the "experts" that got tossed out of the stands last week have ever geared up and called an actual game.... but they know the ref stunk. 

Oh, I'm onboard with the team... I just have a problem with fans who hassle the officials, then act surprised when future calls go against them, too.
I wasn't at the game... but I wouldn't have gotten tossed out and possibly hurt my team in the process, either.  
I'm a diehard BC fan, but I'm not dedicated enough to blindly support our fans and players abusing the officials... regardless of how bad the officials are. 

Well, on a plus note, I didn't see any BC or CS kids throwing punches or fighting among themselves as was previously reported.  
BC kids were out of line, no doubt.  No excuse for that at all.  Very disappointing.  I don't have a problem with discipline being handed down from the UIL.  I'll be very disappointed if Landry/Dubois don't make a very strong statement by punishing the kids who touched or aggressively approached the umpire.  That's not who we are. 
Back to my original thought that was misunderstood by a lot of the faithful.  You have to wonder if this whole situation was worsened by the behavior of some BC fans.  I'm not justifying the calls.... I wasn't there and the video of the at bat in question looks bad, but who knows? I DO know that multiple fans from BC were ejected from the game prior to this altercation.  Did their behavior improve the umpire's performance?  Apparently not.  
How are players supposed to react when they've got an hour's worth of "Hey, Blue.... you're blind..... You're horrible..... Got to hell," etc, etc.? How can you expect kids to respond appropriately when their fans (and possibly family) have been disrespecting the officials for an hour or better?  
Nothing good comes from bashing the officials. 

Back to my original point in my post. As I was sure would be the case, most parents and homer fans are excusing actions of bad behavior or fighting because of a bad call or bad umpiring as they see it. Everyone needs to get real. Most of us have played a sport or two and been on the wrong side of a bad umpire or bad referee, there is no possible way that what is occurring in this district would ever, ever happen years ago. Coaches, umpires, administrators and parents would never tolerate the behavior back in the day and the player would be lucky to ever get on the field again. Stop making excuses for parents, fans, coaches and players lack of sportsmanship.
Remember- I am talking about every sport not just baseball, The lack of a good clean competitive sporting event is hard to find anymore. Every parent, fan or coach is constantly gripping about bad calls or non calls. Let the kids play the game, stay out of it.
If you are going to say that one strike call in a 7 inning game made the difference in a win or loss, then look at the score book. There were plenty of errors, walks, runners left on base and questionable balls and strikes for both teams.

East Chambers Buccaneers and Hamshire Fannett Longhorns will play Saturday in the 3rd Annual military appreciation games.  All Proceeds from T-Shirt sales, raffle, concessions, sponsors and donations will go to WWP.  For further details and info you can call Mark Gaus (EC head coach).  936-446-9547
 
I would personally like to thank the two programs for continuing this game.  It's always a good game between the two schools and the fact that the proceeds go to a great cause makes it special.  I believe this event has raised over $12,000 over the last 2 years. This year, they are looking to top that total in this one event.  Weatherman said it would be a perfect day for baseball so please come support these kids and our military.
 
Also, this year the softball games between EC and HF will be part of the festivities. 

The simple truth is, if we do not get more umpires, we will not be able to cover all our schools this year. This is not just a SE TX problem. It is state wide. So if you're wondering why peolpe don't want to umpire or when you go to your son's game and wonder why there is no umpire or only one - ask the man in the mirror..if it is the expense of getting equipment to get started that's holding you back our chapter can help with that. New guy training is at 6 tonight at 700 Orleans in Bmt. Mention my name for a good seat!!

Game 3, 1st rd of playoffs this year as the tension is building one HC yells out at my partner on the dish "there's a really big plate out there in front of you, it's 17" wide and shaped like a house". I spit my gum out.

You sure it was him?

Great stuff, baseball board has been awful slow all year.

Here we have great fans of WOS/BC and local umpires discussing the great game of baseball.