New Rule Needed

[Umpire in Chief]

So Saturday I had 2 Pinto (7-8 y/o) tournament games. It was just over 100 degrees add to that being on a skinned infield you can add 5+ degrees. The games weren't actually that bad but It made me a bit irritated because between the two games I bet we spent 20+ minutes tying shoes so here is my new rule proposal for all non-shaving age games.

Through the course of the game there will only be one time out in a game allowed for both games combined for the purpose of tying shoes.

Penalty

The next time time is called for the purpose of tying shoes the player with the untied shoes will be ejected as well as the head coach of that players team. The second time time is called for the same player, the players team will forfeit the game.

[JaxRolo]

Amen!

[3rdGENump]

My record was during a 10u game … 12 times players called time to tie shoes

[JHSump]

Exactly! It's amazing how much time is wasted on shoe tying.

[scrounge]

I don't know about ejecting a young kid like that, but I do propose it be mandatory for all coaches to carry a roll of duct tape in their equipment bags for just such an occasion...

[johnnyg08]

I bet we spent 20+ minutes tying shoes

Gouge my eyes out. Wow

[carolinablue]

I don't know about ejecting a young kid like that, but I do propose it be mandatory for all coaches to carry a roll of duct tape in their equipment bags for just such an occasion...

Agreed about the ejection, too harsh. How about the second time the kid has to lose the shoes. That will teach em'.

[johnnyg08]

There could be a mandatory "double knot" rule!

[Richvee]

There could be a mandatory "double knot" rule!

Nah. Checking equipment in LL games is bad enough. I really don't want to add shoelace knots checks :wacko:

[Umpy]

You could just mention double knots at the plate meeting and then give the coaches crap whenever their kid has to tie a shoe.

[BT_Blue]

@Warren: if you eject the the player and coach then how are you going to again eject the same player for having to tie their shoes a second time?

[Umpire in Chief]

@Warren: if you eject the the player and coach then how are you going to again eject the same player for having to tie their shoes a second time?

From the Warren Workman interpretation manual on non-shaving age games...

Situation: Johnny playing for the home team needs time to tie his shoes using the only time permitted for shoe tying. A. In a later inning Johnny needs time again to tie his shoes. B. After the initial time Billy of the visiting team now needs time to tie his shoes. C. After both the initial time request and the subsequent time request by Billy of the visiting team, David also on the visiting team needs time to tie his shoes.

Penalty - Situation A. For the same player requesting time for a second time the umpire shall declare a forfeit and the opposing team will win. Situation B. Billy and the visiting team's head coach will be immediately ejected. Situation C. David and the visiting teams acting head coach will be ejected. Should this bring the team below the requisite number of players or coaches a forfeit will be declared.

B)

[Dannytheman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAFcV7zuUDA

I was 51 when I found this shoe tieing video, now I teach this to ball players.

[zebra2955]

I was 51 when I found this shoe tieing video, now I teach this to ball players.

Amazing who would have figured there was a wrong way to tie shoes

[Jocko]

I got fed up one day and made every kid on both teams tie their shoes and double knot. took about 8 freaking minutes. I told both HCs there will be no more stoppage of play to tie shoes. Not sure what recourse I would have had, but it damn sure got my point across.

[soapbox]

I got stuck on 8U boys on a Turf Field. More time between innings with every daddy on field with their kids. F2 never suited. Every inning, sorry blue, I forgot. Shinguards never tight. Finally exhausted waiting for coach to figure it out. Started doing them myself with the explanation, "Please, I don't want anyone to accuse me of touching your childrens legs." They laughed, I was serious. No time limit 6 innings = over 2 hours 30 minutes. Haven't done another one yet, and don't plan to.

[bam]

Had a 10U double header a couple years ago where the catcher was NEVER ready. 100 degrees. 4 coaches. First 2 innings I say something to the effect "Hey guys, there are 4 of you here. One of you can get the catcher ready, right?" Next inning I warned. Next inning I blew a nut. EJ'd two coaches and told the head coach that now he had an excuse next inning for why his F2 wouldn't be ready. Catcher asks me what happened when he finally gets out to the plate. I told him it was his fault because he was never ready. I thought he was going to cry. But he wasn't late coming out for the rest of that game and the next. By the end of game #2 I felt almost as bad for him as I did for myself.

[Pete Peterson Sr]

Had a 10U double header a couple years ago where the catcher was NEVER ready. 100 degrees. 4 coaches. First 2 innings I say something to the effect "Hey guys, there are 4 of you here. One of you can get the catcher ready, right?" Next inning I warned. Next inning I blew a nut. EJ'd two coaches and told the head coach that now he had an excuse next inning for why his F2 wouldn't be ready. Catcher asks me what happened when he finally gets out to the plate. I told him it was his fault because he was never ready. I thought he was going to cry. But he wasn't late coming out for the rest of that game and the next. By the end of game #2 I felt almost as bad for him as I did for myself.

Wow...did you tell him Santa Claus was not real, and that he was adopted, too ???

[Ump29]

So Saturday I had 2 Pinto (7-8 y/o) tournament games. It was just over 100 degrees add to that being on a skinned infield you can add 5+ degrees. The games weren't actually that bad but It made me a bit irritated because between the two games I bet we spent 20+ minutes tying shoes so here is my new rule proposal for all non-shaving age games.

Through the course of the game there will only be one time out in a game allowed for both games combined for the purpose of tying shoes.

Penalty

The next time time is called for the purpose of tying shoes the player with the untied shoes will be ejected as well as the head coach of that players team. The second time time is called for the same player, the players team will forfeit the game.

What in XXXX are you doing umpiring 7-8 yo ?

[Jocko]

So Saturday I had 2 Pinto (7-8 y/o) tournament games. It was just over 100 degrees add to that being on a skinned infield you can add 5+ degrees. The games weren't actually that bad but It made me a bit irritated because between the two games I bet we spent 20+ minutes tying shoes so here is my new rule proposal for all non-shaving age games.

Through the course of the game there will only be one time out in a game allowed for both games combined for the purpose of tying shoes.

Penalty

The next time time is called for the purpose of tying shoes the player with the untied shoes will be ejected as well as the head coach of that players team. The second time time is called for the same player, the players team will forfeit the game.

What in XXXX are you doing umpiring 7-8 yo ?

Benjamins, baby. I'll call 'em if my assignor asks me to. I prefer >13. Same game fee, shorter time limit.

[renegadewolf]

I think an ejection is a tad harsh, perhaps each team gets one or two shoe ties a game then after that it is an automatic out for unnecessarily delaying the game. Should speed things up some. Though in all fairness one coach (whom i dearly love for this) would bench a kid if he asked for time to tie his shoes while he is a runner. Oddly only ever saw one kid ask for time to tie his shoe

[BRUMP]

How bout this after the 3rd inning you let them tie your shoes and if you need to do it at any other time donut at your own risk with the ball in play.

[bam]

After the first two, just don't look anymore. Problem solved.

[JaxRolo]

So Saturday I had 2 Pinto (7-8 y/o) tournament games. It was just over 100 degrees add to that being on a skinned infield you can add 5+ degrees. The games weren't actually that bad but It made me a bit irritated because between the two games I bet we spent 20+ minutes tying shoes so here is my new rule proposal for all non-shaving age games.

Through the course of the game there will only be one time out in a game allowed for both games combined for the purpose of tying shoes.

Penalty

The next time time is called for the purpose of tying shoes the player with the untied shoes will be ejected as well as the head coach of that players team. The second time time is called for the same player, the players team will forfeit the game.

What in XXXX are you doing umpiring 7-8 yo ?

Benjamins, baby. I'll call 'em if my assignor asks me to. I prefer >13. Same game fee, shorter time limit.

Ditto!