Worse mis-match ever

[Wally]

About 2 years ago I had a game which was the worse mismatch I've ever been unfortunate to call.

This was middle school ball in a private school confrence. The home team is really a baseball powerhouse Their Varsity team has won many state titles, and they have had many guys drafted, and a 2 are in MLB. Their JV team is better than many Varsity teams and their Middle School team is better than a few Varsity teams and most JV teams. The field they play on is absolutely stunning. I've been to Minor League games where the field is not kept as well.

I had never even heard of the opposing school.

Well the top of the first took maybe 3 min including the pitchers warm ups. So far so good.

We get to the bottom of the first, and the first time through the line up the home team actually played and scored 7 or so without getting an out. If the pitch was hitable they crushed it, if it wasn't hitable they took it. I hadn't called a single strike.

Lead off batter comes up and rips one in the corner and I'm thinking I've got an in the park HR, but the coach is stopping all their guys at first. We even had a guy hit one that bounced over the OF fence my partner called time and awarded him 2nd, but he stayed at first.

The score was probably around 0-15, and this ain't tennis, still with no outs before I called my first strike. The pitch was probably above my head, but I was desperate. After calling the strike I looked at the assistant coach in the dugout (who is the JV head coach) ashamedly. He turns around and hollars at the kids, that he doesn't care if the ball is 10' outside, bounces or is even going to hit them they're swinging. Another run or two scored, but I got my 3 outs.

An hour into the game and were starting the 2nd inning. Top went in another 2-3 min. The bottom half the inning and the home team comes out and they are only bunting, even with 2 strikes. Yet they continue to score. I remember the scoreboard was turned off at 0-22.

The home team was trying to get out the remainder of the game and couldn't. They just continued to score. I actually for the only time in my career got to call a runner out for passing the preceeding runner. The bases were loaded and the a batter was hit (not swinging) the 3rd base coach held the guy at 3rd and told R2 to advance past 3rd. The game took over 3 hours just to get to the 10RR after 4 1/2 innings.

The head coach was very nice about everything when he took us to the concession stand to give us our checks he even gave us another $5 out of the till for our "pain and suffering."

[mepperson]

I've had those games, too, and can only say that I feel for you just reading this. I'm glad for you that the coach provided the "extra" - even if it wasn't much, especially when you had worked probably about twice as long as you should have, at least he showed his appreciation.

[littleleagueump]

I had a friend of mine call a game that was a blow out. It was like 25-0 in the third inning. The leading team was batting and a pitch was thrown to the batter, the pitch hit the ground 6-7 feet in front of the plate, bounced up and crossed in the strke zone, without the batter swinging. Ted, the plate umpire called "Strike". No one complained. It was funny.

I did one that was Big League, 17-18 year olds. One team was getting washed. They tried different pitchers all game with no relief. I told the winning team that the strike zone was now an 11-12 grade zone. I couldn't get a strike from the other team until......I called a strike three that was six inches above the plate. It was the closest pitch to a strike in two and one half innings. The batter looked at me a laughed and went to the dugout. No problem. He had hit the cycle and then some that game already.

[bamatazz]

A few years ago, I was calling a 12yr old travel tournament. The game was way out of hand. Bottom of the 4th, no outs, bases loaded. Visiting team could not get an out to save their lives. 10RR is in effect. At that time though it was more like 20RR. My partner calls time and gets me and both coached to talk. Here is how it went.

My partner: Since it is so late (going on 12:00 am), and I know that you want to get out of here as much as we do, (talking to HC) tell your guys that when they get their leads, to stay there and not move. When he (pointing to me) puts ball into play, (to VC) have your pitcher step off and just throw it around the horn to tag his guys out.

Visiting coach agrees to this. Weirdest tripple play that I have ever seen. Visiting team comes to bat. 3-up, 3-down on legitament outs. We go home.