Working Solo

[PeteBooth]

The little kids deserve a well-umpired game too. How else do they learn to respect us? Do we really want them out there thinking "this ump sucks, so it does not matter". Imagine where that could go. I understand wanting to not get hurt, but I do it out of respect for the kids and the game. I don't think Quality of Ball should be the determining factor.

IMO, your statement is contradictory.

The Title of this OP is Working Solo. If as you say the little kids deserve a well-umpired game then why not schedule 2 umpires to begin with.

In my association when working solo I do work behind the plate. My point was when doing these type games it is often better to go behind the mound because at these levels players steal almost all the time so there is a "trade-off" as to what is more importnat - The Fair / Foul down the lines or runners stealing.

When working solo something has to give. If you are behind the plate the runners have an advantage and unless you are 110% sure the call on a steal attempts will almost always be safe. Therefore, how are the kids getting a good game.

Here is the bottom line: When you work solo the kids will get your best BUT they will not get the best game called because one person simply cannot be everywhere. You cannot watch all runners touch the bases. No one can help you on the swipe tags / pulled foot etc. etc. There could be a blatant OBS / Interference call BUT since you are by yourself didn't see it.

This is LL and it's not uncommon to have guys working SOLO. Here's how I look at it and IMO is the way most should look at it.

Whether a VOLUNTEER works behind the mound or behind the plate should NOT matter. What does matter is that this person was willing to dedicate his/her time so that the kids could play in the first place.

More and more outside associations (includes mine) are picking up LL business

Why!

lack of Volunteers and also a lack of discipline meaning too much "trash talk" to the men/women in blue and who in their right mind after seeing this would want to volunteer in the first place.

Also, in some LL organizations parents were being pulld out of the stands to do games and eventually the parents would not show-up until the 2nd /third inning so they would not be asked.

Pete Booth

[persong]

I wish they would foot the bill for people on the bases. But .... I agree that the kids don't get the best game w/ one Ump. but if there is only 1 "In My Most Humble Opinion" the plate has the highest percentage of plays and is where I would rather be. I think behind the mound you are really depending on where the catcher gets the ball more than where it crosses the plate. Our field of view in 3 dimensions is greatly deteriorated at a distance, therefore it only stands to reason this is so. That is the whole reason we hustle to get in position to make a call. So for Balls/Strikes and Fair/Foul the plate "feels" best to me. Of course 80% of the time with the younger players I am only getting a foul line out to the edge of the infield anyhow. So I can't judge a ball in the outfield based on a line I don't have..

As long as a guy hustles, knows the rules and does not make him or herself bigger than the game, I think you could do a good job either.

I really like reading the opinions here, gives me a really good picture of what we all see out there as Umpires. I know I am not alone and we are all doing our service...