It is A Matter Of Integrity

There seems to be a lot of blown calls by those who are suppose to regulate sports control while sporting events are in progress the umpires or referees.  My text lit up Tuesday night from Nash Central fans livid over a fair or foul called  during the last inning of the Lady Bulldogs softball playoff game.

The game report in the Rocky Mount Telegram by writer Nick Protrowicz says the ball was clearly fair by at least a foot.  I have worked many games either in a pressbox or sidelines with Nick since he  has been reporting for the Telegram and I have never heard him in any way root for any of our local teams.  I can't say that about myself but for all the guys at the Telegram they are true reporters and not supporters of those that they covering.  I have been told by others that Nick was standing along the left field line so he was as close to the ball as you can get without being on the field.

The first question I would have about a call which seems to be clearly blown was why could the right call not be made?  Was the umpire blocked off from being able to see the play say the catcher standing up in front of him?  If that happeneed did the umpire defer help from the umpire covering the base?  If  he saw the play and thinks it was foul then I have to ask the question can the umpire see?

Having umpired softball games in the past I know that the umpire on the bases should be strattled the right field foul line with no one on base.  Once the ball is hit he should be moving toward the area behind the pitchers mound and close to second base so he should be following the flight of the ball  on anything hit to the outfield and if it hits fair he should be in position to help the homeplate ump if needed. Since I was not there did the home plate umpire ask for help?  If he didn't why didn't the field umpire over rule a wrong call?  One of the worse thing any umpire does is if they do see it called wrong they hate to step up and tell his partner in front of everyone you blew it.

Baseball of all sports can be controlled by umpires who think they are more important than the players.  I think we all know there are times after the catchers catches a pitch that we all hold our breath because we have no idea how the umpire calls balls and strikes.  I have been known to holler at umps to flip his coin faster when making up his mind.

You know we all have memories of whether in the Rocky Mount Regional final whether there was a Webb foul on Rocky Mount's last shot or even goal tending and even further whether when the ball went out of bounds off Webb.  I know many Northern Fans still moan about whether Rocky Mount crossed the goal line in football several years ago.

There are not many fans that attend any sporting event just to go watch for the enjoyment.  95% of all people who watch sports are pulling for one side or the other.  In our support of our teams we tend to see fair balls when we need a hit and a foul ball when we don't want the other side to get on.  I have been on line to the Brunswick Beacon newspaper in Shallotte just to see their version and there is no mention of the play at all.  That's what umpires and referees are there  for  to make sure that both sides have a fair chance.  All any of us can ask for is for umpires to do the best they can and if they don't know for sure ask for help.

Those that are in it for the $70 a game or think people came to the game to see them umpire need to find other activities.  I have been to many professional games, college, high school, little league  and such and I have never gone to a game yet to see the umpire.  You know the best umpires are the ones you don't know are there.

Today the sun came up again this morning so the outcome of any sporting event will not stop the world.  It is time to move on to the next blown call.  I only hope that call goes for me next time. Truly all anyone can ask for  as players and fans  is that when we leave the game every thing was done to make sure both sides got a fair shake.  Our society has become one to blame somebody else because it wasn't my fault.  The umpires have to ask themselves too.  Did I do all I could to make sure both sides got an equal chance. Umps just like teams get to move forward in the playoffs on their performance.  I wonder if this crew advanced?