SJA

This is what I use . . . for Little League HA! :-)

5 runs per half inning is correct, but I'd be sure to check on the 15 vs. 10 run rule. :-)

Are you sure it wasn't under LL Rule 4.10: (e) If after four (4) innings (Junior/Senior/Big League: five innings), three-and one-half innings if the home team is ahead (Junior/Senior/Big League: four and-one-half seven innings), one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. NOTE: (1) If the visiting team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more,the home team must bat in its half of the inning. (2) The local league may adopt the option of not utilizing this rule. Note the "SHALL concede" SJA

You got my thinking again along the lines of my post "Disheartened" ref LL. Back when I was active in our LL League, we had an "equipment manager" that was diligent in keeping track of the equipment lent out to the teams. If it needed replacing or additions, he'd make sure you got it, just ask. He held the Managers, Coaches, and PARENTS responsible for the RETURN of them at the end of the season, eliminations, or disbanding of the teams. Penalty? . . . "they" PAID for ANY missing or non returned equipment. Never had a problem. Fast forward to the same League with "new EQ Manager(s)". Equipment not available, missing, none new, replaced, or added to. Excuse? . . . "well we had some here" . . . "we had it last year!?" . . . "can't buy anything, no money". Sorry for the "venting" but it's sad to see a once well organized League go to He//. SJA :-(

That's an interesting concept on your "Food for thought". Let's see: Baseball Official = Ump = Blue = YOU(&@!^%*^! . . . so, I guess "Ump" and "Blue" are a derogatory reference also! . . . I've heard it first hand! ;-)

Your #3 - LL Rule 1.16, in part: "1.16 - Each league shall provide in the dugout or bench of the offensive team six protective helmets (7 protective helmets for Junior/Senior/Big League) which must meet NOCSAE specifications and standards."

Tony was a good kid. He will be missed.

BU56, I really don't know when it was added since I just "came back" this year and it is in the 2013 LL Rule Book. Page 31. :-)

LL: Under Section III Teams(d) Note 3: NOTE 3: If a medical professional, Umpire in Chief, the players coach, the players manager or the players parent has determined a player sustains a possible concussion, the player must be, at a minimum, removed from the game and/or practice for the remainder of that day. The league must also be aware of its respective state/provincial/municipal laws with regards to concussions and impose any additional requirements as necessary. His/her return to full participation is subject to Ú„1) the leagues adherence to its respective state/provincial/municipal laws, 2.) an evaluation and a written clearance from a physician or other accredited medical provider and 3.) written acknowledgement of the parents.

Rainy day . . . There are many theories to arguing with an umpire . . . none of them work. Coach, are you familiar with the 50-50-90 rule? Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong. Keeping your cool: It doesn't do to do much talking when you're mad enough to choke, for the word that hits the hardest is the one that's never spoke. So let the other fellow do the talking till the storm has rolled away, then he'll do a heap of thinking about the things you didn't say. If a coach spent as much time digging in the rule books as they do jumping to conclusions, they’d get better exercise! Old umpires, politicians, and buildings become respectable if they last long enough. Umpires are the bone on which inexperienced coaches sharpen their teeth. Strive for excellence, not perfection. Sometimes when you make a bad call, it’s like falling on your face, . . . but hey, you’re still moving forward. :-) Don’t believe everything you hear and never believe anything a coach tells you. Never tell a coach anything you don’t want the rest of the park to find out. Tomorrow’s coaches are the players of today. :-( Never try to teach a coach the rules, . . . it’s a waste of your time . . . and it annoys the hell out of the coach! Never argue with a coach . . . you’ll both get sweaty, . . . but the coach likes it. The essentials of happiness are: umpiring a ball game, idiot coaches, and hoping for an EJ. Coach, yesterdays’ game is over. Tomorrow’s game is a new start. Today is the only game you presently have . . . so consider enjoying it wisely. ;-) No matter how much I try, some people are just jackasses. Bad coaches and bad managers are like fungus, and keep coming back. Umpires can’t change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust our strike zone. Going out to argue with an umpire doesn’t make you any more knowledgeable of the rules than standing in a garage makes you a car. A pre-thought of “cleaning house†is to sweep the dugouts with a glance. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that coaches know what they’re talking about. For every Rule Book, there is an equal and opposite Rule Book. A balanced game is having a coach in each hand. A coach who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world. Coach, you’re not learning much when your lips are moving. Coach, your “factsâ€, although interesting, are irrelevant. The careful application of ejection is also a form of communication. Good umpires may come and go, but bad coaches accumulate. If you can smile when things go wrong, you have a coach in mind to blame. If you think the last game was as bad as it can get, don't bet on it. Enjoy! SJA :-)

Here's one from 'ole Bruce Froemming (MLB Ump Retired) when someone disagreed with a call and questioned his eyesight: "The sun is 93 million miles away, and I can see that." Ah! the good old days! :-)

Good, then I totally missed the bounce watching it. I thought it was strange it was called fair. :-)

Strange this question should come up. It happened the other night MLB Red Sox @ Orioles game. Batter hit a fly ball that went OVER TOP 3rd base about 5 > 6 feet high (NO BOUNDING)and landed approx. 20 feet behind 3rd and in foul territory. Ruled FAIR BALL. :-)

If you don't believe in yourself, why would you expect others too? SJA

Thank you. These are just a few of the "sayings" that my Father & Grandfather told me over the years. Never even knew what many meant until I got older . . . and wiser? ;-) I started writing them down in the 70's so I could pass them on to my children. Some are original and some are what they called "Universal Truths". Two of my favorites are: You don't grow old by being a fool . . . and Logical consequences are the scarecrows of fools and the beacons of wise men. I've made it to 60 . . . must be doing something right? :-)

Never miss a good chance to shut up. Anger is only one letter short of danger He who gets something for nothing often gripes about its quality. (Little League) Silence is evidence of a superb command of language. The first screw to get loose in a person's head is usually the one that controls the tongue. The best way to save face is to keep the lower part shut. Character is not made in a crisis . . . it is only exhibited. It is much easier to be critical than to be correct. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. He who loses his temper usually loses. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on. I'm not here for a popularity contest.

To the best of my knowledge, there never has been, or will be any monies paid for LL umpires in "our area league district. . . but I have come to wonder why an LL league WITHIN "our area" has 25+ umpires on a regular basis and some in "waiting"? and yet in our "League" (6 miles difference), same state, we have 4 > 6 VOLUNTEERS. It makes me wonder? SJA

Sorry Rich, guess I should have said LL Ump Clinics at Williamsport and a few other "clinics" that were made available. I'll try to be more specific in my posts in the future. SJA

I’m disheartened and just need to "vent"? I came back home this year to the LL that I umpired for from ‘92 > ‘98 before an injury caused some memory loss and spinal incapacitation. All APPEARS to be well now, but it is many years later. I was so disappointed to see the lack of basic fundamentals taught by the coaches and lack of knowledge of the managers. "Umpires" are "Dads out of the stands". No Certs at all. LL Pres and Dist Com are the same ones for XXX years and no effort to improve things . . . like politicians. We used to have 5 CERTIFIED Umps back then and a good "crew". Even the "Dads" and Managers and Coaches attended our "pre-season Ump Classes". I was asked to "come back" as an Ump and possibly UIC but I’m hesitant due to memory and the "re -learning? of new changes in LL rules. I’ve got mixed feelings about this. NOT looking for sympathy, just some input? SJA

I've noticed that some Umps wear their dangling throat guard (4 or 6") on the bottom outside of the extender and some on the upper second tier rim on the inside. Any particular thoughts as to why for safety reasons? :-)

One of the best, HTBT LL Senior League: Coach comes running out yelling at BU on a tag play at 2nd. (runner out) Coach: "Are you Serious Blue??????????" . . . he was safe by a mile!!!! BU: "Coach, if you intend on abusing me and challenge my call, then I want you to return to the dugout and come back with a BIG PINK Ostrich feather, yell at me all you can in 15 seconds, and then kiss me on the cheek, and promise me breakfast in the morning" (HTBT) : Coach: the look was PRICELESS! . . . Coach: "You're NUTS!" He walks away back to the dugout shaking his head and laughing without a word and never said anything else the rest of the game. Funny but true story! :-)

DEBLUE, you must not be originally from Delaware then, or if you are, I wouldn't be making a comment like that in public. SJA

Is that still a part of Maryland? ;-)