04-04-2023, 04:51 AM
No way what Coniglio did was dissent.
If we're looking for reasons why umpire numbers and retention is down, I'd say look at parents, kids coaches, their peers, the media and fans before you look at players. Out of those groups I just mentioned, players are the least abusive / dissenting / critical by far. You could fill a book copying and pasting negative comments on here about umps. Go to any football game (kids, AFL, VFL you name it), and listen to the crowds giving the umpires a few gentle words of encouragement. Listen to adults at a family function discussing among themselves what No 22 did., within earshot of kids. Kids learn from a young age that umpires are fair game, and only a small amount of what is learnt comes from the Cogs' of this world.
If we're looking for reasons why umpire numbers and retention is down, I'd say look at parents, kids coaches, their peers, the media and fans before you look at players. Out of those groups I just mentioned, players are the least abusive / dissenting / critical by far. You could fill a book copying and pasting negative comments on here about umps. Go to any football game (kids, AFL, VFL you name it), and listen to the crowds giving the umpires a few gentle words of encouragement. Listen to adults at a family function discussing among themselves what No 22 did., within earshot of kids. Kids learn from a young age that umpires are fair game, and only a small amount of what is learnt comes from the Cogs' of this world.