Let me see if I can take your logic out of the realm of baseball to another sport I officiate, "basketball." The rule book is very clear as to the definition of traveling, and it doesn't change from age-to-age. What does change is the skill level of the boys and girls playing the game. I can honestly tell you that LL aged kids playing basketball, almost always violate the travelling rule every time up and down the court. If I called traveling every time it occurs, my whistle would be the centerpiece of the game. A good official will NOT officiate to the rule book but to the skill and level of the play of its participants. I will likely call a tighter game for the team with a skill level that is superior (my judgment). The team with players that are not so skilled will receive lots of grace and latitude And most parents are quite thankful that my whistle is not the only sound they hear all game long.
I would say that the same is true when I umpire a LL game. If a pitcher has the skill and ability to throw true strikes, I will call the game "by the book." But as soon as I determine (my judgment) that the pitchers are not so skilled my zone will adjust accordingly (not ridicuously) but to the level of the game. I think the arguments you are hearing from other umpires are not intentionally to blatantly disregard the "rule book" strike zone, but to call pitches that conform to the spirit of the game based on the level of performance that day. I can tell you that my strike zone for Johnny who plays on the traveling All-Star team will be tighter than my strike zone for Jimmy whose parents haven't yet figured out that he ought to be playing another sport .
Sports officials are very hard to come by these days. Few men are willing to take the abuse and criticisms that go with the job of displeasing someone on almost every call. Yet, we desperately need more umpires, officials, and referees throughout our nation. I'm grateful for the "kids" you use to umpire your ball games. They need to be affirmed and encouraged to continue to serve your league as umpires, and they need the support of the coaches and parents who attend and participate in your games. Please don't make the strike zone an issue that divides and destroys the ambitions of these young officials. From all the LL games I have watched, I would say the calls, "good" and "bad" are enjoyed and endured by both teams throughout the season. It's all part of the American Pastime that requires imperfect human judgment (players, coaches and umpires) to make it all come together for the good of the game! Thanks for helping coach our kids! I'm confident you will work through this issue in your mind and on the field so that "The Games" will go on in your community without the contention and strife I so often see on the field today. Angry coaches produce angry players (the kind that punch referees to their death). I urge you to stay positive and be pleased with whatever strike zone shows up that night. At least you might finish the game before the sun sets and tired parents and KIDS lose interest in the game.
