Does The Term "Blue" Offend You? - Situations - Umpire-Empire
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By NCAAump2 December 25, 2011 in Situations
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NCAAump2
Posted December 25, 2011NCAAump2
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A friend of mine who went to Wendelstedt's this past year and I were talking about this a few days ago, and the way he explained it to me really made sense. He related it as to someone going into a hardware store and rather than call the employee by his name, just yelling "Hey, Smock!" (or whatever kind of clothing they have on) It got me thinking that although we introduce ourselves by name at the plate meeting, I'm called "Blue" at least 5 times a game.
Does anyone here think that "Hey, Blue!" is disrespectful? Personally, I feel as though (especially for HS and above games) that if a coach/manager is going to come out an and talk to me, he should at least call me by my name, when I call him by his. Thoughts?
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mstaylor
December 25, 2011
In lower levels, I don't care. In higher levels, it is expected to called by name. I have a HS coach who I have know for at least twent-five years. He is one of most knowledgable and polite coaches I
mjr_2013
December 25, 2011
There are two scenarios... If he (the coach) is in the dugout and is just asking something quick, I have no problem with it... "Hey Blue, where was that pitch?". It is just a nickname, nothing more
Forest Ump
December 25, 2011
I agree with MS. At the higher level games, varsity and above, I expect to be called by my first name. It may not happen but it should. I take the time to remember their names. I don't get to bent out
mjr_2013
Posted December 25, 2011mjr_2013
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There are two scenarios...
If he (the coach) is in the dugout and is just asking something quick, I have no problem with it... "Hey Blue, where was that pitch?". It is just a nickname, nothing more, nothing less... It also helps to differentiate between us and the players.
If he is coming out to me to argue or for an explanation, I'd prefer he use my name... I'll get annoyed if he comes out with "Are you serious Blue? Come on, blue, any idiot could do better than you? Blue! Are you listening Blue!?"
As long as it is used as a nickname, and not as my name, I'm fine with it.
I'm THIS blue...
NOT this Blue...
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mstaylor
Posted December 25, 2011mstaylor
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In lower levels, I don't care. In higher levels, it is expected to called by name. I have a HS coach who I have know for at least twent-five years. He is one of most knowledgable and polite coaches I know but during a game he will not call us by name. He always calls us Mr. Umpire, he means it to be respectful but I just can't get him to use our names.
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carolinablue
Posted December 25, 2011carolinablue
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It really doesn't bother me. I try to make a point to get the coaches name at the plate meeting but sometimes it just slips me and I have to defer to coach. I'm working on improving that, but the term " blue " doesn't bother me.
Forest Ump
Posted December 25, 2011Forest Ump
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I agree with MS. At the higher level games, varsity and above, I expect to be called by my first name. It may not happen but it should. I take the time to remember their names. I don't get to bent out of shape if they don't call me by first name. However, I may remind them and then let it go after that.
BTW. Calling you "Blue" does not refer to the color of your shirt. Can you imagine some coach calling you "Cream"? It derives from when the fans called the umpire "Blue" because they perceived he blew the call. With that in mind, it is derogatory.
Merry Christmas to all.
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SAB_UIC_TX
Posted December 25, 2011SAB_UIC_TX
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Doesn't bother me when coming from the field players or pitcher. Coach and catcher have my name and I have theirs, I expect them to call me by name. My youngest catches, I've taught him to always, always introduce himself. When the ump gives him his name ask him if he can call him by name. Being 11 he's used to calling people Mr. ... I tell him not to call the PU blue.
kylejt
Posted December 26, 2011kylejt
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It doesn't bug because it's become customary. Rather, I just enjoy it when managers remember your first name from the plate meeting. Good managers do that. The other ones don't.
Richvee
Posted December 26, 2011Richvee
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I'm with Kyle here, 100%. Doesn't bother me at all, but when a coach remembers my name from the pre-game conference, I'm impressed. And yes..the better managers remember and use your name.
I've never heard of the term coming from fans perceiving we "blew" a call. I doubt many coaches think this either. When I wear my red shirt, I'll inevitably have at least one coach say "well, I guess we can't call you Blue today". I'll always use this opportunity to politely say "well, you can call me Rich..I usually answer to that" :)
Haid D' Salaami
Posted December 26, 2011Haid D' Salaami
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Coaches should not call us/me blue. If they do I will say " coaches 1st name..my name is Brad...."
Players on the other hand do not get to know our name.. so for them to call me blue is cool.. unless I'm working at one school a crap load of times knew can learn my name.
Triguy29
Posted December 27, 2011Triguy29
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I've actually enjoyed being called "Blue". I love being an umpire and I always saw it as a nickname more than disrespectful. However, after talking to a few people and seeing it on here I definately think I'll change that for next year. I also think that by insisting on being called by name it makes you seem more in control, official and professional. It kind of helps set the tone.
AZump78
Posted December 27, 2011AZump78
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If you call me blue, the conversation won't get too far.
I love being an umpire also, but I don't need/want generic nickname. I don't walk in to an office and say "hey receptionist" or say "hey waitress" when I'd like another beer. You know why? Because I am speaking to a PERSON.
That's the problem with calling an umpire "blue". It's done because they lack the decency/are too lazy to consider you an actual person with an actual name. Then you wonder why he barks at you, shows you up, etc.
I make a point to remember a coach's name, he can do the same. I take pride in what I do and I work my ass off. In return I expect to be treated respectfully-beginning with calling me by name.
mstaylor
Posted December 27, 2011mstaylor
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I understand the dislike of the generic term, and at higher levels I prefer it. At lower levels, I don't sweat it.
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LMSANS
Posted December 27, 2011LMSANS
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I don't obect to being called Blue, except on the football field when I'm wearing black/white stripes. 
I do object to being called coach! :tantrum:
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Umpire in Chief
Posted December 27, 2011Umpire in Chief
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I don't care too much about being called Blue most of the time. There is a point where it shifts from a nickname to an insult.
I try my hardest to remember the coaches names, but I'm bad with names. I do okay because I write their name on their line up card, even if it is already written on there.
I just don't care for it because I always look when all the kids on the team are named Lou, Luke, or the like or often if the team wears blue they are constantly calling it.
mstaylor
Posted December 27, 2011mstaylor
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Try working the bases with a middle infielder with the same first and last name as me. :)
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kylejt
Posted December 27, 2011kylejt
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Try working the bases with a middle infielder with the same first and last name as me.
I worked a game where the pitcher's, catcher's and batter's name were all Kyle. (and yeah, I had the catcher go tell the pitcher to yell "What!?" the first time a coach bellowed our name. I think all four of us even had some harmony working.)
ukce1861
Posted December 27, 2011ukce1861
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My name is Kai. I've still never met a person that has my name, although I've heard of a few. But when I hear someone shouting my name, I know they're talking to me. Now sometimes I'll hear Ty or Kyle and think it's Kai, but usually I can tell the difference after a few times. But there was one game where I kept hearing, "Kai, move up", "Kai, pay attention", "Kai this, Kai that." Everytime, I kept turning around to see who was talking to me and what the heck they wanted... Finally, I pulled out my line-up card and sure enough, the right fielder was named Kai... Unfortunately, the kid didn't come up to bat again and my partner got in a verbal altercation with the fans after the game (another long story in its own right), so I wasn't ever able to actually meet the kid, but it was pretty funny.
As for "Blue", I don't mind it. I would prefer that people call me by my name, but it's not that big of a deal. It does crack me up when I do my local LL games and I've known all the coaches for 4-5 years. Before the game starts, we're all on a first name basis. Then, once the game is going, they come out of the dugout, "Hey, Blue..." Whatever...
yawetag
Posted December 27, 2011yawetag
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My name is Kai. I've still never met a person that has my name, although I've heard of a few.
Add one to the list: my wife's friend has a 4-year-old son named Kai.
boyinr
Posted December 28, 2011boyinr
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I really don't care. The only time I really hate it is is one of the teams is wearing the color blue and isn't playing well. Sometimes the cries from the dugout can seem like ythey are directed to at the umpires me and not the players.
catsbackr
Posted December 28, 2011catsbackr
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I don't work lower levels, so I can't really speak to that.
In high school and above, I expect the COACHES to call me by name. I make it a point to address them by name, I even write it on their lineup cards as well as the catcher's names so I'll have it in case I forget it. I'm gettin' old!
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rodatc
Posted December 28, 2011rodatc
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In Pro ball it was certainly frowned on. If they knew better it was offensive but with in lower levels I always corrected them.
Player: "Hey blue how's it going?"
Me: "Good. Oh by the way its Ricky."
Player: "Oh Okay. Nice to meet you Ricky"...etc
MidAmUmp
Posted December 28, 2011MidAmUmp
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It doesn't bother me, but I don't respond to it either. I.E: "Where'd that miss, blue?" If you can't take the time to learn my name, I'm not justifying that with a response.
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boyinr
Posted December 28, 2011boyinr
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I am sure that I read it here in the past. Someone who disliked the term had the response "if you don't call me "Blue", I won't refer to you as "Bucket A$$"". That still makes me chuckle.
Guest
Posted December 28, 2011Guest
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Not offended by it.
What we get a lot here for some reason is "ump" or (the dreaded) "umpy". Once someone tacks on that Y, I make it a point to address it. And ignore anyone trying to get my attention with said word the rest of the game.
Plate meeting is always an exchange of first names. Name of the present coach goes on the card and I also ask if they're the manager and if they're not, who the manager is and what they're name is. Once this year, I had a manager introduce himself with "I'm Coach Hammond" as he stared right into my eyes, as if he was God's gift to baseball. I held my grip and said "and I'm Supreme Chancellor of the Universe but you can call me Chris. I take it you have a first name."
Since I almost never wear navy anymore, once in a while you get the wanna be comedian base / bench coach going "hey blue, I mean black (or cream, red, etc)." I fake a laugh and go, "First name's fine, I'm Chris," shake their hand, and then toss in a Gordon Ramsay style "and you are?"
Blue's fine, if a player knows and uses one of my nicknames (nothing original), that's cool too; chances are if I'm interacting with them, I'm using their nickname as well.
If someone uses Mr Umpire, I smile and say Mr Umpire is my father (even though papa 24 doesn't umpire but they don't know that), call me Chris.
Once in a while, I get a real beauty who addresses me as "sir." I appreciate their formality but I've yet to be knighted so I ask them to call me by first name as well.
Basically, I try to take myself off any pedestal a coach feels the need to put me on without being bothered if they forget my name, but that doesn't happen too often.
Though, an interesting spin on things, one time I was working a game, 17U if I recall correctly - can't remember how the story goes for certain but my parents were either at the game for some reason or knew someone who was; gist of the situation is that the staff of one team thought I was cocky and arrogant for using the first names of their coaches when speaking to them. In their mind, it was unprofessional of a 20 year old umpire to address the manager by name instead of "coach." The things people concern themselves over at youth sporting events....
UmpJeff
Posted December 28, 2011UmpJeff
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BTW. Calling you "Blue" does not refer to the color of your shirt. Can you imagine some coach calling you "Cream"? It derives from when the fans called the umpire "Blue" because they perceived he blew the call. With that in mind, it is derogatory.
I TOTALLY disagree. I've read countless articles where the common denominator, from where the term comes from, is the color of the jerseys umpires (specifically amateur umpires) wear. If you think otherwise, Forest, well, you think otherwise. You're entitled to your opinion...and your perceptions.
I liken the term "blue" to the terms "ref" and "ump". Nothing I take as disrespect...even if they know my name.
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mstaylor
December 25, 2011
In lower levels, I don't care. In higher levels, it is expected to called by name. I have a HS coach who I have know for at least twent-five years. He is one of most knowledgable and polite coaches I
mjr_2013
December 25, 2011
There are two scenarios... If he (the coach) is in the dugout and is just asking something quick, I have no problem with it... "Hey Blue, where was that pitch?". It is just a nickname, nothing more
Forest Ump
December 25, 2011
I agree with MS. At the higher level games, varsity and above, I expect to be called by my first name. It may not happen but it should. I take the time to remember their names. I don't get to bent out
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