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Post by jaybee on Jul 30, 2008 10:07:59 GMT
How far should one go in supporting a fellow umpire and how do you cope with one who doesn't support you? In a recent match my colleague (a club umpire who also ran the youth section to which most of 'his' team belonged): - hacked off the other side by what they saw as 'coaching' his players;
- wasn't competent enough to apply the 'beamer' rules properly, calling No-ball but not taking the further action of cautioning the bowler (etc);
- regularly gave 2 extra balls in an over where he'd called a wide (confirmed on one occasion when he asked me and then checked with the scorer) - but where this was to his own side's advantage;
- criticised to several later batsmen a decision I had made on a diving catch at mid-off and where the batsman asked me if I was sure (which I was as I'd turned to watch it and had a clear view of what happened).
This all sounds as if I'm a bit paranoid, but comments made by other teams have all been remarkably similar. He umpires in a stratum of the league where umpires are few and far between and his team is vying for promotion. As far as I know he's not qualified. As far as I can I've tried to remain non-committal but ... how do (and should) I do something about it? I don't want to escalate it by making a formal complaint to the league's committee which seems to be taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut but his actions are souring relations between his club and all the others. |
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Post by johnfgolding on Jul 30, 2008 10:23:24 GMT
How far should one go in supporting a fellow umpire and how do you cope with one who doesn't support you? In a recent match my colleague (a club umpire who also ran the youth section to which most of 'his' team belonged): - hacked off the other side by what they saw as 'coaching' his players;
- wasn't competent enough to apply the 'beamer' rules properly, calling No-ball but not taking the further action of cautioning the bowler (etc);
- regularly gave 2 extra balls in an over where he'd called a wide (confirmed on one occasion when he asked me and then checked with the scorer) - but where this was to his own side's advantage;
- criticised to several later batsmen a decision I had made on a diving catch at mid-off and where the batsman asked me if I was sure (which I was as I'd turned to watch it and had a clear view of what happened).
This all sounds as if I'm a bit paranoid, but comments made by other teams have all been remarkably similar. He umpires in a stratum of the league where umpires are few and far between and his team is vying for promotion. As far as I know he's not qualified. As far as I can I've tried to remain non-committal but ... how do (and should) I do something about it? I don't want to escalate it by making a formal complaint to the league's committee which seems to be taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut but his actions are souring relations between his club and all the others. This is a very difficult situation. You should be able to "access" your colleague during the pre match talk. I always tell my colleague that I will warn on the first beamer, making sure they know it is a safety issue and one your liability insurance company would be interested in if the worst happens. There have been two well publicised incidents in my region of injuries one resulting in the batsman being paralysed. Then it is up to him / her. If I know they will not, I also make sure the captains are aware I will so there are no surprises. You gain respect by doing it. The fact that it was accidental “the ball slipped out of the bowlers hand” is irrelevant – try telling the injured parties relations that? This also applies to batsman / fielders / bowlers damaging the pitch. As far as the extra balls in the overs a regular check with the scorers usually sorts that, when you get to the fourth or fifth ball (whichever you have agreed to) of the over. You always have the opportunity to go over to your colleague between overs and discuss. It should be up to the Captains to report your colleague. Sounds like he needs some training could his club be encouraged to send him. |
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Post by igmc on Jul 30, 2008 14:33:45 GMT
Yes, this is a difficult one.
I think that if your club and others are concerned then you should say something about it. If left unsaid it might well continue until something more serious happens - maybe a blazing row on the pitch or after the match.
I would ensure the relevant people are made aware of the concerns shared by your club and others.
A few years ago, an unqualified (he had failed GL6) member from a club started umpiring, again at a level where sides are only too happy to have a volunteer.
Almost every match, he upset the opposition by both his attitude and decisions. I did one game with him and could see why.
I knew one of the league committee and asked his advice. His somewhat pusillanimous response was, 'we know he shouldn't be umpiring, but since the league/umpires' panel do not appoint officials at this level we can do nothing about it'.
His suggestion was for any club unhappy with the umpire to write to the chairman of the club involved (I'm assuming he does not occupy that position as well!) explaining your concerns. Particularly, as you say, pointing out that it is damaging relations between his club and others.
In the case I referred to above, it took letters from three or four clubs (who had informal discussions about what they were going to say therein). As far as I know, he has not umpired since.
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