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So I remember my favorite story from a couple years ago. Chicago area men's league; really good baseball with alot of D1 players on hand. A D/H. 1st game is one of those games where you see a bunch of close plays at the plate and bases ... know what I'm talking about?
Anyway, this lady in the stands was occasionally saying "bad call blue - bad call". Then an inning later, "good call blue - you got that one right". Later, "bad call ...". She was getting rather humorous to me, but I ignored her of course. But you hear it non the less. After about 8-9 of these evaluations (and the 1st game was over), my partner and I were walking to change for game 2. She said to me that "#22 was safe at first". I quickly decided to take on a rather ignorant stance, and looked at her puzzled as if I was trying to remember the play (even though I knew what she was talking about). So I said "uhm, no, he was out". "No, he was safe". With the calmest voice, I asked "why did he walk back to the dugout then?"
"Because YOU called him out". So I says "Yes, that's why he's out, I called him out. Mamm, you need to understand that there are no good calls or bad calls. There's just 'the call'". It is what it is. That series of responses is not patented, so you may use it!
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Jimmy, is right. 100%.
If you have never said anything ever to a fan, I applaud you. But we have all been confronted by our cars or on the way. We let our emotions get the best of us. WHEN you do, always be able to run faster than the person you've outsmarted.

PIAA: could you see about changing the name of this forum to "walking on egg shells"?
It has nothing to do with egg shells.

As we have to remind our veterans at training sessions and meetings from time to time, regaling rookies with clever quips, war stories and other entertaining moments is dangerous. Newer umpires do not often realize how much is horsesh!t and how much requires some experience to determine when it is harmless and when it is dangerous.

I feel the same pertains to umpire boards. Many newer umpires visit to see how things are handled, and we do them no favors by encouraging inappropriate conduct.
I agree with Jimmy about the warning.

I know we all have at some time in our careers made such a comment. Or, definitely wanted to. Emotions do get the better of many of us.

However, we have to try real hard not to do that. I have heard too many stories of an umpire getting hit after making some stupid remark. Or worse.

We know and understand what you said is the way it is. But, we also have to realize when to do something like that and, more importantly, when not to do something like that.

I understand this was just a story and what the point to the comment was. But, many of these kind of stories should come with a disclaimer: Do not try this at home.

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