Best Legion Umpires Area IV

[TGIF]

I have seen some good ones this year, and some, well. But who would you guys say are the best in Area IV? Just wandering.

[calluout74]

who are the best you seen

[homeplate]

not many good ones in AREA 3 they need a watch dog group bad.

[anotherspartanfan]

Just Charlie

That's it as far as Caldwell has seen.

[Red Bear]

Pretty slim pickins here, too.

[MOOSE]

after seeing what the college playoffs had to offer, maybe ours are not too bad.

[niknat]

I may change my mind after tonight's game but I think this year I have seen them do a better job at our games. Last year was terrible. Some of those guys don't have any authority at home I guess so they get to push some young men around in a ball game. Am I the only one who thinks that?

I'm not going to be fined by the league for saying this am I?:stirthepot: :stirthepot:

[Braves]

I'm not going to be fined by the league for saying this am I?:stirthepot: :stirthepot:

Yep....but don't identify your team and you may be alright. But watch out for u-r-out and BigDipper; they have their ways of finding out this kind of information...and when they do; you wish you were only going to get fined :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:

[niknat]

Now that I know there are fines involved let me say what I really feel.

I have been pretty pleased with the umpires we have had this year. They have been consistent with the strike zone for both teams which is huge IMO. As for bad calls, they are only human and it is usually only a "bad call" if it goes against our team.

Keep up the good work.

[blademan]

Still looking. I keep trying to tell them on the close calls just look over at me and I'll be happy to help.

[9nine9]

I'm unfamiliar with Area IV, but I consider Cecil Mock from Area III to be one of the best in the state. Extremely knowledgable and professional. I know he has be selected to work at least one World Series.

Another that stands out to me, is a guy I saw at the 2005 State Tourney. I don't know his name, or what area he was from but maybe some of you guys know him. He was a short guy with a shaved head - ex-Marine I think. He was behind the plate for at least 2 of Lexington state tourney games and he was a great ump.

[Braves]

LOL Do you know the names of any other umpires? I know Charlie is a good umpire but BDOC is pretty darn good too.

The BigDipper is one of the best. Area IV is lucky to have him

[Braves]

LOL Asking fans who they think are good umpires is humorous. Is the screaming mom who doesn't know what the friggin rules are included in this survey?

Are you kiddin? She's the 1st one surveyed. I saw one mom get upset because the umpire only allowed 3 outs..her son was coming up to bat next.

Mom's rule!!!!!

[west boy]

Dirk Swing in Area III has to be the worse!! Ask anybody who has seen him more than once. Most people know who he is especially around here. He likes the pitches a foot off the plate. Most umpires really aren't that bad, they are just inconsistent. It's hard to find a consistent umpire. It makes it hard on the batters because they swing at stuff they would never swing at because they don't want to get rung up looking. Just consistency is all I'm asking.

[BigDipofCope]

Ya know, I've read some names that I've never heard of that people say, he's the worst or he's so inconsistant. Let me tell you how I got into umpiring.

My first experience umpiring was at a 15 & 16 yr old game that I was coaching in. The umpire's didn't show up, so a coach for the other team went behind the mound to call balls & strikes. I really thought he was struggling, so I asked him if I could borrow some gear and go behind the plate to call balls & strikes. That was my first plate game. No training, no people to help me and no Navy blue shirt. I loved it. The next year I registered with the NCHSAA, paid my booking fee, went to three 2 hour clinic's, bought some umpiring gear and all the sudden was in my first scrimmage. I was taught at the clinics to be loud and confident with my calls. So part of the way through the first inning with a ball hit down the left field line I hustled down the 3rd base line and yelled "Fair" and pointed fair. After that inning I was told by some more experienced umpires that we yell Foul and only point Fair.

I called about 15 high school games that first year (1998) and after the season was over, called every recreation dept. in the area asking if they needed umpires. I continued to get better by picking the brains of the older umpires I worked with, reading books on umpiring mechanics and working alot for very little pay. This year I umpired almost 60 high school games, over 20 college games including my first Division I game, and 30+ Legion games. In 2004 I went to Jim Evan's Academy for Professional Umpires - a 5 week course in Florida because I want to be the best umpire I can be. I hope I am still improving.

When you talk about Joe Schmo who is the worst umpire you've seen and that is inconsistant and doesn't know a strike from a hole in the ground, ask yourself this: Have you ever umpired? If the answer is no, then I suggest you try it a couple times.... If the answer is yes, then shame on you for knocking someone publically when you know how hard it is.

I think this thread is Best Legion Umpires in Area IV, not "Hey let's knock umpires who we think are bad" So here are some names of the best Legion umpires in Area IV (of the one's I have worked with):

Dave Brown
Charles Henry
Brad Levine
Dave Mabe
Phil Tate
Wayne Yount
Scott Stilwell
Kevin Bumgarner
Tim Curtis
Rick Curtis
Eddie Taylor