As They See ‘Em: A Fan’s Travels in the Land of Umpires by Bruce Weber, New York: Scribner, 2009, Reviewed by Ted Odenwald
In the excitement of the divisional playoffs and the World Series, one dark subject that would not go away was the competence of the umpires whose rulings have increasingly come under scrutiny and ridicule. Perhaps the volume of the critical comments is louder than it was in the past because of the media’s use of instant replay and freeze frames, which plaster a split-second play on a screen for a seeming lifetime. The volume may also be louder because the derision is coming from all directions: from the fans, egged on by the behavior of the players and managers/coaches, from the media commentators whose eyeballing of a play is graced by endless multi-angled, zoomed, freeze-framed views, and from the management of individual teams as well as the leadership of both leagues and the Commissioner’s office. Perhaps baseball as a whole is happy to have the spotlight of accusation focused upon a relatively small group of non-players upon whom an individual’s non-performance can be blamed; better to have that refocusing rather than the moral questions raised concerning performance-enhancing substances.
Bruce Weber, a reporter for The New York Times, driven by his obsession for the game, for which he had an amateur’s passion and naivete, chose to dedicate three years of research to the study of the “land of umpires,” so that he could examine its “citizens, laws, and culture.” In an adventure, reminiscent of the learn-by-immersion exploits of George Plimpton, Weber attended umpires’ school for a five-week session in 2006; he quickly learned at the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring that there was a great deal about his beloved game that he did not understand, and that his knowledge of (much less possession of) umpiring skills was virtually non-existent. In accounts resembling boot-camp, Weber laughs at his many blunders as he tried to master endless rules –not just the book rules, but the unwritten rules concerning positioning, signaling, calling, dealing with players and managers, and maintaining control of a game. His training led him to officiate in a number of ball games, including some innings in major league spring training. Weber clearly emerged from his “training” as a much more humbled and knowledgeable fan, a fairly competent official of lower level leagues, and a supporter of umpires on all levels of competition.
Weber is clearly sympathetic towards the aspiring umpires, who “chase the dream” of working in the major leagues. The quest for the ultimate assignment is filled with obstacles: poor pay, extended separation from family, poor living and eating conditions, incredible travel requirements. The author interviews several of the aspirants, most of whom are willing to suffer these indignities if only to maintain the glimpse of promotion. Another apparent obstacle is the Professional Baseball Umpiring Corporation (PBUC), which has supervisory control over the lower minor league umpires. Many of the comments from the umpires suggest that they believe that they are dealt with impersonally and inconsistently by this group which evaluates them and assigns them. Among the victims are two women, who in spite of professional competence, were allegedly dismissed from the game primarily because of their gender.
Weber apparently received a great deal of cooperation from several major league umpires, who shared their histories within the game. Several of them are haunted by controversial calls which decided crucial ballgames. Some are known primarily because of a “blown call” which eventually affected the outcome of an important game. Also looming heavily over the umpires is the umpires’ ill-fated strike of 1999. Former umpires’ union leader, Richie Phillips, had announced that more than 50 umpires would resign their positions in an attempt to force the Commissioners’ office into negotiating new contracts. However, about half of the umpires either reneged on their promise to resign or rescinded the resignation, leaving the union in bitter disarray. When it was clear that the union’s effort had failed, several umpires were refused reinstatement. Weber’s interviews include professionals who followed their consciences—each side feeling betrayed by the other—and the bitterness remains.
Recently, major league baseball announced that it would not expand the use of electronic devices to enhance the quality of officiating. In doing so, they appear to be recognizing that the human element manifested in the judgments of trained professionals is essential to maintaining the character of the game. Weber’s book helps the reader to see the unusual demands placed on these battle-hardened, often crusty, sometimes bitter individuals whose pride in their skills is matched only by their love of the game and their love of the power of their authority.
Ted Odenwald and his wife, Shirley have lived in Oakland for 39 years. He taught HS English at Glen Rock High School for all of those years plus one more. Now he is enjoying time spent with his family, singing in the North Jersey Chorus and quenching his wanderlust. Ted is also the Worship Leader at the Ramapo Valley Baptist Church in Oakland.