That's not always the case anymore, especially for high school games.
It seems every ball and strike call is being scrutinized from the bleachers. Split-second decisions made on the basepaths usually draw at least a couple grumbles from the crowd. Not exactly a nice quiet day at the ballpark.
Spectators aren't always going to see eye to eye with the umpires on every call, but it gets out of hand sometimes.
At last Saturday's Helias-Lutheran: St. Charles game at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex, a visiting fan was told to leave by the home plate umpire.
There was a fair share of whining and fussing from fans and from the dugouts throughout the game. One call made at the plate was apparently the final straw for that fan.
The batter hit what appeared to be a foul ball. The catcher picked the ball up and tagged the batter out.
The coach made his argument and then the fan chimed in as well. He even told the umpire he's teaching bad things to kids.
He had that backward. It got out of hand and the umpire did what he had to do.
It's moments like these when I think, why would anyone want to be an umpire? They've got tougher skin than me.
From what I understand, umpires do get compensated a decent amount for calling games. At least I consider it a nice chunk of change for a few hours of work. But there's no way I'm signing up.
Just think, the example I used wasn't even during a rivalry or postseason game. It was just a regular season matchup on a Saturday afternoon. Not a whole lot on the line.
Neither team was happy with the strike zone and eventually one call made things boil over.
If more moments like this keep happening at games, who'll be left to officiate them? Eventually enough umpires might just get fed up with the constant noise from the dugouts and stands and they'll find something else to do for a little extra cash.
No, umpires don't always make the right calls, but we can't demand perfection. And sometimes it's difficult to adjust to the strike zone that's being called, but ball and strike calls usually don't decide the game.
Let the players make the needed adjustments at the plate or on the mound and let the game play out.
The team that plays the best will win, not which team gets a call or two to go its way.
And keep that in mind when football season rolls around and also during basketball season. There are usually too many grumblings from the stands year-round.
I go back to the saying I always heard: Let the coaches coach, the players play and the officials officiate.