When an umpire selectively ignores rules, doesn’t bother knowing other frequently-encountered situations, and is completely ignorant of other rules, a lot of things happen to a softball game.

Players get confused, frustrated, and upset, at each other, and at the umpire. A lot of yelling and shouting often results, as bad decisions pile upon bad decisions.

The game goes out of control, as mistakes lead to dangerous consequences. When there is no accountability and there are no consequences for interfering with a defender playing the ball, an infield fly ball not being called, a batter running into the field of play to hit a pitched ball, the conflict caused from the lack of an authority to control these situations creates a real and serious danger to players.

Worst of all, the “social contract” entered by all participants is thrown out the window. Anyone clutching pearls about “showing respect for each other, and respect for the game” is showing absolutely no respect whatsoever, because of their failure to ensure an ordered and fair competition. All respect for game’s administrators is also lost, as they fail to do exactly what they are crying out for – to “respect the game” – when they do not understand, and do not enforce, the agreed-upon-in-advance rules. This has to begin before the game starts, by holding teams accountable to begin the game at the scheduled time. Starting “on time” almost never happens; written rules regarding lateness are never enforced.

But in Ireland, the only teams and players held accountable are the ones that call out the failures. If you point out the problems, and ask them to be corrected, you will be punished, and you will suffer, because this is not “how things are done”. It’s never the fault of the offender: “we weren’t trying to be late, it’s the traffic!” (but the other team didn’t have a problem being on time); “that ‘illegal lineup’ shouldn’t matter, because we didn’t gain any real advantage!” (except they won the game); “you cannot question the umpire’s judgement!” (I suppose if the umpire makes no call, even when things are clearly happening, there can be nothing to argue about?). Instead, YOU are labelled “disrespectful”, for insisting to not be taken advantage of, simply wanting the rules followed and enforced.

It’s just not good enough. In fact, it’s absolutely awful.