Leadership Thought: Something to Keep in Mind When You Start Screaming at an Umpire This Season

Dear Friends,

I love sports. That's why when my college playing days were over, I continued to stay involved, first coaching and then officiating. Of all the sports to officiate, I especially love umpiring baseball, and that's  why I am looking forward to the start of another umpiring season.

It is exciting being out there in the crisp air, smelling those hot dogs and hamburgers being grilled, talking with coaches and players, meeting and making new friends with those with whom you are working a game, observing the skills of the different players, and getting caught up in all of the excitement and enthusiasm of the crowd. There is nothing quite like it.

I can still remember a game I did a number of years ago. It was a key game between two of the better teams in the area. The bleachers were packed. The game was riding on almost every pitch. It was an umpire's dream, a game where you had to be on your toes every minute, so you didn't blow a key call that might impact the result of the game.

The thing that really struck me about that game was the level of intensity of the crowd and the players. Fans were yelling at each other and at each other's teams. Coaches were complaining about the strike zone. Players were trying to get on each other by making cutting and caustic remarks about their opponents. 

I was working the field and not behind the plate, so I had the opportunity to stand back and listen and take in all that I was seeing and hearing, and it disturbed me then and it disturbs me today. 

I thought back to the days when I played, and when I could seldom recall that kind of atmosphere. Sure, fans would occasionally get excited, and coaches would complain, and players would sometimes try to distract another player, but we didn't have the kind of animosity and extremism that I witnessed that day.

Sports, unfortunately, and not just baseball, have reached a new and dangerous level, and it concerns me as I begin another season on the field.

Not only on the playing fields, but in our society as a whole, there is a lack of restraint, of self-control being exhibited, and sad to say it's reaching epidemic levels. 

Fortunately, nothing bad happened that day, but in that kind of atmosphere, it could very well have. 

And today as I reflect on the changes I have seen in sports over the years, I thought of the words of an umpire who was umpiring a little league game in Terra Haute, Indiana, and who was struck in the head by a ball thrown at him by a fan. He continued to work the game, but later that evening, he was taken to the hospital for observation. While there, he wrote an eloquent letter to the kind of folks who embarrass you and make you cringe when you attend sporting events. 

He writes, "The purpose of Little League is to teach baseball skills to young men. Obviously, a team which does not play well in a given game yet is given the opportunity to blame that loss on an umpire for the one call or two, is being given a chance to take all responsibility for the loss from their shoulders. A parent or adult leader who permits the younger player to blame his failures on an umpire is doing the worst kind of injustice to that youngster. This irresponsibility is bound to carry over to future years."

Donald Jensen's words still ring true today. What these athletes learn on the ball field will be carried on into every walk of life, and if they see violence and sportsmanlike like conduct exhibited and tolerated by their fans, coaches, parents, and fellow players, they will grow up thinking that this is an acceptable form of behavior in dealing with differences and disagreements.

The next time you think of screaming at a player, coach, or an umpire, just remember the words of the "late"  Donald Jensen- the following morning, he died of a brain concussion.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

P.S. And yes, when you are screaming or barking at me or some other umpire for a call you don't like, may you remember  the words of the Apostle Paul who writes: "Don't let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you are sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:29-32). 

And by the way, don't forget that the umpire wearing that mask behind the plate you are screaming at might just be me, and how embarrassing that would be?