With apologies to softball

[RWPatten]

I umpired eight 10 and under softball games yesterday. I have umpired over 100 baseball games this spring and summer. I had more whining and rules questioning than in all of my baseball games combined. I was so tired of the teams by then end of the day, that I could never call softball again and it would be too soon.

It was 10 and Under, not the WCWS.

[mstaylor]

I worked a big USSSA tiournament this weelend, site manager not umpiring. I saw some good sharp softball guys and others, not so much. I saw several using the silly looking mask hooks. One guy had a red Utrip shirt that was almost pink it was so old, with a pair of heather pants that had redded out to the point it was approaching his shirt.

I walked up to one field that the PU had a pair of pants that at best were base pants, at worst, Sears special. Then to top it off his shirt was more out than in.

To give then their due, some of the guys were excellent with good mechanics and sharp uniforms.

[Umpire in Chief]

I don't think the problem was necessarily Softball, but the age group. The younger the seemingly worse the parents, coaches and more.

[LMSANS]

:smachhead: Take that you softball umpire bashers!

I find in my area there are embarassing baseball and softball umpires. The purple heather pants, the terrible mechanics and the overall slovenly look. It covers both sports from LL to ball.

There are no bigger cry babies than the over 30 baseball players. I have found that most of the time the girls have a lot of fun playing a game. Not so with baseball...there is very little laughter and smiles in the dugouts.

I did 2 10u games a couple of weeks ago (the rest were rained out...surprise) and didn't hear any whining...actually saw some surprisingly good pitching from 3 of the 4 teams.

I did 2 16u games this weekend (the rest were rained out...surprise2) and again didn't hear any whining, even though I was not at my best.

Girls are different than boys. Baseball is different than softball. Accept these facts and you may get a little more satisfaction from both sports.

:banghead:

[SNIPERBBB]

My only issues with the 10u tourney I did this weekend was the quality of play. Though I can pretty much say that will all levels of non-varsity HS/College ball that I do. I mean if you are going to come to an all-star tournament, please bring kids that can pitch close enough to the strike zone and will swing the bats...and please stop complaining about the chanting. Its going to be a long 8+ years if you keep complaining about it.

[RWPatten]

I had no problem with the players or quality of play. I really enjoyed the players; they were fun and very sportsmanlike. The coaches just drove me batty. I don't know softball rules as well as I do baseball, but I know the major things. Maybe I am too leniant with the younger age groups on certain things. I just felt that many of the arguments they had, well, should wait until the girls are older and have learned about the issues.

I really felt that the coaches griped too much about "gray" areas that maybe should not be worried about in 10 and under softball. I don't know if that is right or wrong, its just my opinion.

I have nothing against softball umpires. You folks have some crazy rules that you have to know. Anyone who wishes to officiate ANY sport and wants to learn the rules and be good has my respect.

[willv28]

Yeah, it can be hit and miss. We've had some great LL softball games, some not so good. The coaches have been OK so far. But one didn't know that if you foul tip on a no strike count it's not an out but strike 1....

[LMSANS]

I had no problem with the players or quality of play. I really enjoyed the players; they were fun and very sportsmanlike. The coaches just drove me batty. I don't know softball rules as well as I do baseball, but I know the major things. Maybe I am too leniant with the younger age groups on certain things. I just felt that many of the arguments they had, well, should wait until the girls are older and have learned about the issues.

I really felt that the coaches griped too much about "gray" areas that maybe should not be worried about in 10 and under softball. I don't know if that is right or wrong, its just my opinion.

I have nothing against softball umpires. You folks have some crazy rules that you have to know. Anyone who wishes to officiate ANY sport and wants to learn the rules and be good has my respect.

What are the "gray" areas? I'm curious as to what should not be called at younger levels or is it less talented teams?