1umpire2love

The only friend you have on that field is your partner(s). Never bite into conversation that concerns players or teams. For your UIC or Site Coordinator to have you apologize is BS. He should have educated you on that situation and dealt with coach himself. For you to have to go back to that coach and apologize is very unprofessional. All that does is open the door for more issues and for that coach not to respect you in future games. If I was your site coordinator, I would have told the coach that I will deal with you. If you need an apology in order to keep playing, I will apologize on your behalf. If that coach cannot accept that, I would tell him to have a nice day.

My original comment above about about the runners leaving early is not about the rule itself or runners not leading off. My comment is directed at the red flag being thrown. I personally think that is ridiculous. Why doesn't LL just have a delayed dead ball when the runner leaves early? Also, Pony BB has players start leading off and have dropped third strike at age 9 and above. The base runners learn how to lead off properly and the pitchers learn how to pitch from the stretch and wind up. I believe that this is proper baseball and the way the game was meant to be played. I primarily do USSSA travel baseball in northern California when not doing high school. Runners lead off at all levels and is a much higher caliber than LL. As far as the hat backwards issue. I would never tell a coach to turn his hat around the right way. The same as when I see coaches wearing shorts to games. If they "don't get it", its not my job to teach them.

I did two major level LL games for a friend a couple weeks ago. I haven't worked a LL game in about 10 years. I think we were in the 3rd inning when I saw a red cloth near the feet of my BU. All I thought was, where did that come from? The BU picked it up and put in his pocket. About two innings later, I saw him pull it out and throw it on the ground. He then sent the runner who was stealing back to his previous base. I then put 2 and 2 together. They throw a red flag when a runner leaves early? I thought to myself, this isn't baseball! Who thinks up this stuff? In the next game, one of the managers came up to me and asked me to tell his coach to respect the game and turn his hat around and wear it the right way (he was wearing it backwards on the field). I said "Ummm, No!" This is a few reasons why people make fun of LL. The mentality and the funky rules. I will say though, the kids were great and they were having fun.

When I am doing bases and have a LHP, I specifically watch for two things. 1- Front shoulder dipping towards home. 2- Right foot and knee opening up towards home.