Friday, March 30, 2007
The Beast About To Strike
Much like the relationship between Michael Jackson's and Ola Ray's characters in the Thriller movie after he gives her the ring, "it's official": Carl Pavano will be starting for Mr. Dunbar on Opening Day.
I was psyched to hear about a woman umpiring a major league game yesterday, albeit at an exhibition game.
In the article, the people quoted seemed supportive, and the writer (also female) did a pretty good job with the piece. However, there seemed to be an air of astonishment. Like, "look how she actually knew what do do!"
She was clear signaling her calls and quick on her feet, says the author. Why wouldn't she be? Are fans actually reading this news and saying to themselves, "Well, surely they had to interrupt the game so she could take a break to watch a Meredith Baxter-Birnie movie on Lifetime--wait, they didn't? What? Incredible!"
Then a Cubs player said
It's kind of different to see a woman out there. Where I would think the challenging part would be is a close call.
Why? Women can't look at something and then convey what happened?
This almost reads like an article about a game where a penguin was allowed to be an umpire or something. "It stayed on the field the whole time. It even faced the action on many plays."
This confirms that there's no gender equality in this country. Not even close. If it were a black or Jewish man's first time umpiring, would people say "I don't know if they'll be able to make the close calls..."?
I was psyched to hear about a woman umpiring a major league game yesterday, albeit at an exhibition game.
In the article, the people quoted seemed supportive, and the writer (also female) did a pretty good job with the piece. However, there seemed to be an air of astonishment. Like, "look how she actually knew what do do!"
She was clear signaling her calls and quick on her feet, says the author. Why wouldn't she be? Are fans actually reading this news and saying to themselves, "Well, surely they had to interrupt the game so she could take a break to watch a Meredith Baxter-Birnie movie on Lifetime--wait, they didn't? What? Incredible!"
Then a Cubs player said
It's kind of different to see a woman out there. Where I would think the challenging part would be is a close call.
Why? Women can't look at something and then convey what happened?
This almost reads like an article about a game where a penguin was allowed to be an umpire or something. "It stayed on the field the whole time. It even faced the action on many plays."
This confirms that there's no gender equality in this country. Not even close. If it were a black or Jewish man's first time umpiring, would people say "I don't know if they'll be able to make the close calls..."?
Comments:
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I guess you could say she's talked about here the way you'd talk about a rookie ump--but, still, I think it sounds as if it were a twelve-year old prodigy ump or something. (on par with penguin)
I think your comparison is way off base. A penguin beats a prodigy any day. Prodigies frighten me. Not as much as pierogies, but a lot anyway.
It really is nice to see a woman on the field - one who is actually involved in the game, not standing around in a skirt, holding a mic. Not to take anything away from the Tina Cervasios, Suzy Waldmans, and Janet Marie Smiths of baseball, but you know what I’m sayin.
It's good that there is mainly support out there. I fear that there could be some problems if she makes a call that isn't agreeable to a player during a critical game. Wait, what am I saying? They would never use a woman during a critical game. Silly me!
It's good that there is mainly support out there. I fear that there could be some problems if she makes a call that isn't agreeable to a player during a critical game. Wait, what am I saying? They would never use a woman during a critical game. Silly me!
It's kind of different to see a woman out there. Where I would think the challenging part would be is a close call.
Or when she gets her period. Then she will be too emotional to call the game.
Comments like the italicized one above only enforce my self-made rule of worshipping baseball players from afar. I'm sure if I ever met one and got to know them I would think they were a big arsehole.
Or when she gets her period. Then she will be too emotional to call the game.
Comments like the italicized one above only enforce my self-made rule of worshipping baseball players from afar. I'm sure if I ever met one and got to know them I would think they were a big arsehole.
Excellent post! Thank you, Jere.
Just wanted to mention that the women "in skirts holding mikes" were pioneers only a very short while ago, and there is still nothing even resembling gender parity in the sports media.
Sorry to mess up the avatar string. :)
Just wanted to mention that the women "in skirts holding mikes" were pioneers only a very short while ago, and there is still nothing even resembling gender parity in the sports media.
Sorry to mess up the avatar string. :)
Wait, what am I saying? They would never use a woman during a critical game. Silly me!
Good point. Too true.
Good point. Too true.
Just wanted to mention that the women "in skirts holding mikes" were pioneers only a very short while ago, and there is still nothing even resembling gender parity in the sports media.
It's true. You can celebrate the small victory of a female ump, commentator, and a person in charge of the architectural renovations to Fenway Park, but it isn't even remotely close to a woman coming out of the 'pen or stepping up to the plate. And before you skeptics start listing off every reason why women can't compete with men, please google Jackie Mitchell's name.
It's true. You can celebrate the small victory of a female ump, commentator, and a person in charge of the architectural renovations to Fenway Park, but it isn't even remotely close to a woman coming out of the 'pen or stepping up to the plate. And before you skeptics start listing off every reason why women can't compete with men, please google Jackie Mitchell's name.
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