Florida vs. USF Plate Umpire

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Feb 12, 2014
648
43
Anybody else catch the Florida vs USF game last night? The plate umpire was something else.

Early in the game a batter from Florida hits a long fly ball to right with the bases loaded. It was pretty clearly foul in real time and replay confirmed that is was definitely foul. The 1B ump called it foul (which he shouldn't have done) but the plate ump calls it fair. Confusion ensues and the plate umpire completely refused to even talk to the other umpires in an effort to get the call right. Ericksen rightly was hot.

Later in the game a USF batter is clearly hit with a pitch in the back elbow. Plate ump calls foul ball. Ericksen protests and tries to get the plate ump to ask for help which would have probably led to the batter being awarded first. Again, the plate ump refused to ask for any help. The USF batter was showing the ump the welt on her back arm from the ball!

I've read that umpires know that if they want to get Florida non-conference home games then they better make sure Florida gets taken care of but this was ridiculous. It's one thing to be a bad umpire (this guy was) but to be so arrogant and unaware to the point of refusing to collaborate with your other umpires is inexcusable.
 
Last edited:
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
In Gainesville t is either Tim's way or the highway. In the Fall he goes so far as to tell the Plate Umpire what zone to call. When Jake was at Chipola they played UF each year. The plate umpire who I have known for years confided that he was "instructed" to call it tight up top and the full ball on the right side of the plate. Jake had no chance because you got to make sure them Gators don't look bad against a lowly JUCO. :)
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
I couldn't do it. If I can't do my job with integrity I'd rather find something else to do. That's ridiculous. Don't try to strong arm me, you loser. You have to cheat and bully the umpires to win? Nice.
 
May 30, 2013
1,442
83
Binghamton, NY
(TongueInCheek)
Dont fault Tim. He's under extreme pressure to win, with softball being a money-sport, along with football and basketball, the revenue the university gains from ticket sales, mechandising, etc funds the entire sports program.
(TongueOutCheek)
 

TMD

Feb 18, 2016
433
43
Wow. Looks like I need to see if this game is on replay on WatchESPN. I have no skin in this game, but enjoy a good drama. Not sure what kind of life lessons Tim is trying to teach those ladies...rise to a powerful position and then have fun controlling and manipulating the less powerful??
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
I think the SEC should start assigning umpires to limit the "good ol'boy network" that seems to occur.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
Wow. Looks like I need to see if this game is on replay on WatchESPN. I have no skin in this game, but enjoy a good drama. Not sure what kind of life lessons Tim is trying to teach those ladies...rise to a powerful position and then have fun controlling and manipulating the less powerful??

Yes! What kind of message does it send the players? Your coach thinks he has to bully the umpires into going his way on calls because he doesn't trust that you're good enough to win if the games are fair? That is insulting to some pretty awesome players IMO.
 
May 17, 2012
2,803
113
The plate umpire who I have known for years confided that he was "instructed" to call it tight up top and the full ball on the right side of the plate.

As long as both teams played by the strike zone defined in the rule book they are all winners as they played with integrity.

Never adjust to the umpires strike zone if it doesn't match the strike zone in the rule book. Dishonest!
 
Feb 12, 2014
648
43
Wow. Looks like I need to see if this game is on replay on WatchESPN. I have no skin in this game, but enjoy a good drama. Not sure what kind of life lessons Tim is trying to teach those ladies...rise to a powerful position and then have fun controlling and manipulating the less powerful??

It is on WatchESPN because that is how I was watching it live.
 
Jul 1, 2010
171
16
As long as both teams played by the strike zone defined in the rule book they are all winners as they played with integrity.

Never adjust to the umpires strike zone if it doesn't match the strike zone in the rule book. Dishonest!

While I agree in theory, my limited experience tells me that a coach or pitcher adhering to this philosophy won't last long.

Almost every umpire that I've seen has at least a slightly different strike zone, some radically different.

Perhaps I missed the sarcasm font?
 

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