Umpire in Chief

A lot of good points in here. The game is evolving - at all levels so LL is evolving too. I absolutely agree. The dicking around with on base runners is really irritating and in effect every single being a triple because 2 pitches later he'll be on third, let's just put him there to begin with and save everybody the time and heartache. This also eliminates the balks. I worked plenty of PONY Bronco games (PONY is bigger than LL around here, but they're 12 y/o with open bases and balks) but the coaches wanting a balk for every little thing. At that age group I could legitimately call a balk on nearly pitch with runners aboard. Pitch count. I use to believe that this was bunk, but now I'm in favor of it. As my umpiring abilities improved over the years I could see and I worked higher level games. I could see and observe pitchers who had better mechanics than others. Even if they were equally effective in hitting the zone. These poor mechanics can cause injuries in the long run. Little Johnny (often the coach's son) is pitching away but the mechanics are poor and next thing you know 12-14 y/o Johnny is having Tommy John surgery. At the youth levels they are at the mercy of well intentioned coaches who may not be the best instructors about things like pitching mechanics. So limiting their pitching is probably a good thing. And don't get me started about the way some kids torque their elbows trying to throw a curveball. Then the next thing is these kids playing baseball all year round. One thing l Liked about the LLWS that I saw on TV they would talk about the other sports the kids were involved in. I think this makes players better all around athletes. Growing up I started playing baseball in the spring (until I realized I was at the bottom tier for natural baseball talent then I went to soccer) then football in the fall , wrestling in the winter. I really think it's important for kids to do other sports. I can't imagine "loving" baseball after playing all year around for so many years.

This is an interesting starting position. I too would like to get the reasoning and logic behind it. But I must say he has a perfect view of a pick off attempt.

YES!!! I'm amazed at multiple levels about how players do these things. It seems so easy and common sense, but I don't think it is being taught well if at all.

Okay - I'm going to step up on my soapbox for just a moment... I know we're just being fun loving here, but I have a little passion about this subject. We have a huge mental health crisis in the world right now and the causes are virtually infinite. I'm speaking about everything from "mild" depression and/or anxiety (but it's not so mild when it's happening to you or a loved one) to extreme and severe mental health problems. The thing is so many of these issues (not all ) are treatable, if people seek help. But there in-lies the problem. So many people who could benefit from help but don't seek it themselves because of the stigma associated with mental health issues. Additionally, people who have love ones who suffer from a from a mental health issue suffer too in multiple ways. It's extremely hard to tell a friend or loved one that you believe they should seek help. I know I've done it. You go from being a friend and a confidant they've opened themselves up to, to someone who they feel is passing judgement on them and is now part of the problem. A huge issue at hand is the stigma associated with seeking mental health. People, even those who know and acknowledge they are having issues, are reluctant to or even refuse to get the treatment that would benefit them out of shame, fear, embarrassment or other reasons related to the stigma. Many mental health issues are similar to physical health issues in that if you don't get treatment; best case scenario, it doesn't get better. In many cases, just like a physical ailment, without treatment it gets worse. Untreated, even "mild" situations can lead to other issues like alcohol/drug dependence, loss of employment, isolation, violence and even suicide. It can be a downward spiral that makes it harder to attempt to fix the longer it goes untreated. I would bet we all know people who may have started with a "mild" issue, who doesn't seek treatment that their issues continue to grow and escalate. This is a shame. I want to try to keep this short and sweet. I googled looking for a flyer I once saw, and couldn't find it but I found this article from the Mayo clinic. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-health/art-20046477) I personally think the final bullet is one of the most important. I believe that if we break the stigma associated with mental health issues. More people will seek the help they need and avert from that downward spiral. Who knows it could even save a life.

Legendary MiLB umpire Steamboat Johnson use to keep a copy of his eye exams in his pocket. I think most umpires would get a kick out of it.

Sorry don't watch tennis.

Dimes to dollars, CCS is the only source that will act this responsibly. Others will use it as a tool to bash Hernandez and umpires as a whole.

Some great lines in here: I think its laughable to say Drake initiated the contact. And the article doesn't reference that the pitch in question WAS actually a strike. Nor did anyone attempt to pull the stats for the game stats to show Drakes accuracy. The data is out there if Gill and the CCS team can get it I guarantee the unnamed AP writer can get it too. Oh yeah, It doesn't fit the narrative that umpires suck. So we'll just leave those facts out.

There is a balance which has to be found between wasting time calling time too much and wasting time by being stubborn and not calling it. But at some point, kids need to realize that this isn't MLB and you don't get time for every little thing. You need to learn to walk up or climb the ladder when they want to hold the tag on you. The umpire's aren't there to bail you out.

There is part of the problem, but also one of the beauties of baseball. Problem: There are 4'0" and smaller 12 y/o who weigh 70 lbs and there are 12 y/o my size. Beauty: Baseball unlike other major sports isn't as dependent on size; you have small superstars like Jose Altuve, and virtual giants like Aaron Judge. Both can be equally successful.

I rarely actually do LL (its been quite a few years), and like most of you I watched some of the LLWS on TV. But don't you think for kids that age group the field is too small. How old are they (Jr or Sr league) before they hit a 90' base field?

Merged the 2 topics

Drake showed great discretion. (BTW isn't he starting to look like Wolverine?) The contact is probably unintentional or at least not a bump. But does MLB have a post-game ejection? I've honestly forgot. Rule 8.01(a) reads: The League President shall appoint one or more umpires to officiate at each league championship game. The umpires shall be responsible for the conduct of the game in accordance with these official rules and for maintaining discipline and order on the playing field during the game.

@wolfe_man I know it can be a hard decision, I'm struggling with it myself whether to return in 2020 or not.

On the replay I'd say so, live action I'd probably have a hard time saying.

Thank you please do.

What he said?

I'm not familiar with NSA league, but I'd bet it falls under one of these 3 rule codes. Absent any local rule like @yawetag mentioned the HR counts.

It's a had to be there situation, but judging by what I envision from what you wrote I'd have at least a warning. That's not necessary, and if you let it go it is going to happen again and possibly get worse.

Lets see how lenient MLB will be with this, The precedent of 4 games seems okay, but could be stronger. Especially, given according to CCS the pitch was a strike.

You come up to bat with a giant elbow pad and get hit in the zone. SMH.

Wow flopping in baseball, and it worked. The NBA, NHL, MLS and other sports started taking a harder stance against flopping, is this going to become a POE for future years.

The unnecessary calling of time is one of my pet peeves. Keep the ball live. By all means kill it when necessary. But just sliding into a base is not always necessary to call time or bringing the ball back to the infield. It will make for very long games.

Back on point. Though several of you have given me a good laugh. All associations have "That umpire." Due to umpire shortages some associations/TD's get stuck with that guy and his antics may be known, but if it comes to not being able to fill a spot or using "That guy" they will often use him and pray for the best. They will generally work him at the lower levels, like the 10-11 y/o you mention, where he can presumably do the least damage. You writing about his pregame speech, pretty much tells me he's "That guy." My first suggestion is to have a conversation with the TD about using this guy. Make sure the umpire association you work with knows you'd prefer not to have him. These are the people with the most control of using the umpires. Find out if he's freelance or being assigned as an association. A freelancer might be harder to avoid, but if he's assigned through an association, find out from the TD which associations they use before you register. I've had coaches tell me before they find out where the umps are coming from when registering. Let them know you're playing at an elite level and you don't want them using second rate umpires. I don't know specifically about your area, but around here there are seemingly numerous tournaments in that age group every weekend. Take your business elsewhere. Just remember you may end up paying more. My local association, for example, is the most expensive in the area, but we have the best training of the other 2 groups and because we pay more we get more umpires coming to us. Not to say we don't have "that guy" because we probably have several of "those guys." Protesting, would be a waste of your time and money until you have a true misapplication of the rules. Strike zones and other judgement calls are not protestable. As for the zone, at the 10-11 y/o level any umpire has to be out there looking for strikes; and yes, that does mean expanding the zone from the textbook definition. The key is good umpires know how to expand the zone without being ridiculous. I'll bet good money that the umpires you like best and look forward to them working your games are also expanding the zone, they just know how to do it well and don't make a spectacle out of letting people know what they're doing. The judgement of the umpire's zone is something that pitchers and catchers will have to deal with at all levels; recognizing an umpire is calling a particular zone or location and not only working with it but taking advantage of it. This umpire is getting the high ones, this guy is giving a little extra on the outside, or this guy is being tight on the inside. Use these things to your advantage. I've heard catchers telling their teams what to expect from the ump. I've even had a D-II catcher tell me once after I called a strike on the corner, "I knew you'd like that." acknowledging that if he hits that spot he knows I'm going to call it. I hope this helps.

Wow my tiny little town of about 5000 made the national news from this pic... https://www.foxnews.com/sports/north-carolina-golf-club-congratulates-god-and-lightning-bolt-for-almighty-hole-in-1 Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk