Baseball Myths, Traditions, Weird Superstitions ,etc

quote:

Originally posted by Bulldog 19:
4. Why do we call the umpire "blue?" It seems like half the time they are NOT wearing blue. In our league, we see a lot of black shirts.

Its because for the longest time, umpires wore blue suits....then blue shirts...in the late 60's and early 70's, the American league had maroon blazers but still kept the blue shirts....

In the 90's the Dark Blue pullover became the standard and since then MLB has set the fashion standard for umpires....Instead of only dark and light blue, Black,cream,red,grey have made definate impact. most HS associations require the Blue, but many other leagues do not have a mandated color as long as all umpires match.

The name "Blue" still sticks.....one note, some umpires find the term "Blue" disrespectful and prefer to be called by name....personally I do not have a problem with it...but thats a whole other thread for another day...

quote:

one note, some umpires find the term "Blue" disrespectful and prefer to be called by name....

Interesting. What should they be called? Hey you behind the plate? Hey Mr. Umpire?

I honestly believe some umpires (not you piaa_ump)believe that people go to the game to see them work. Some of them insert themselves into the action so they can draw attention to themselves. The delayed call on balls and strikes seems to be one form of this passive-aggresive behaviour. I am thinking of Joe Brinkman here who has thankfully retired. He still has disciples out there like Tim McClelland who drive me nuts.

There are very few people on the baseball field who have reason to know the umpires names. Outside of the coaches and the catchers, why would the others know?

So if it's not "Blue," then what should those who don't know their names call them?

Not wanting to hijack this thread, but thats 2 separate questions....

Many umpires prefer "Ump" over "blue"...it comes from the fact some people attach Blue to Blew as in blew the call or worse....

Some umpires prefer to be called by name. I am not interested in being called by my name...it could and has been misconstrued by coaches as being biased.

I walked up to a tourney table one day and a coach said hey Stan! good to see you...the game went on with no problem, but the opposing coach eventually lost the game, his comment was he knew they were going to lose when the umpire knew the other coach...

it was the classic "we either win or the umpires lost it for us" type comment...but it struck me as the perception of what a coach might feel if I was addressed by my name...sir, ump, mr. umpire, Blue....all works for me....

Just dont call me REF...

as to your second point, there was a time when MLB recruited and encouraged those types of personalities....the list of examples are endless...but that has ceased...looking at the type MLB is recruiting now you do not find those prior types now..MiLB is now full of the clone types...

Umpiring attracts all types of personalities, some good and some bad....yet all can be very sucessful....

I like the red shirts myself.

Superstitions - crossed bats. We were struggling at the plate (12u or something like that) - the players straightened the bats up and the hits started flowing. Had nothing to so with a new pitcher or seeing the first guy the second time around (can't recall) ... it was the bats.

How about not talking to the pitcher during a no-hitter or perfect game?

I believe there are superstitions around socks -- high socks, low socks, whatever. And then there's not washing certain uniform items when you're winning, not shaving, rally caps, everyone using the same bat of a kid on a hitting streak...

piaa_ump, I remember the first time my son had real umps for a game -- a play-off game when he was in the first grade. All the parents from the other team were hugging the ump. Even then, I knew enough to realize it wasn't a good sign...

LHPMom

Slumpbuster - nuff said. If you don't know then you are lucky and need to stay that way.

Let's not forget the ENDLESS "routines" every player has as they approach the plate.

These are as individual as their stance. Although I think a routine is good to get into the comfort zone.

Other than when you are actually involved in a play during the game - Never - EVER - step on the white line.

All three of mine had (and have) a litany of superstitions... everything from socks (up or down) to shaving (yes or no) to seeds (plain or flavored) to pre- and post-game meals to music they listen to before the game. I was often surprised they were even able to make it to the game, what with all the pre-game ritualizing! I was never able to keep up - things changed frequently based on outcome! #1 started writing his initials in the infield dirt at his position right before the start of the game - now they all do it.

And it didn't change in college - then they added team rituals... who hit in what order in the cage, who picked up what equipment, who did and did not speak to each other before the game, secret handshakes, voodoo charms - ok, maybe there was no actual voodoo, but it came close at times! We were so impressed the first time we came to a game when the assistant coach came into the stands to greet us before the game - found out later that was HIS particular brand of voodoo! Geesh!

I think there's more black magic in baseball than almost any other sport. I think it's all the time spent sitting in the dugout... gives them something to think about!

Great post,mythreesons.

I think that was what Bulldog was looking for in this thread.

There's no way infidel_son will reveal his publicly un-observable superstitions to me. I don't think publishing them on the internet would help, either. I just hope you haven't jinxed your boys and they have to create new, more unusual replacements.