USSSA 6U Coach Pitch mechanics

[BigUmpire]

Some of our young umpires will be calling a USSSA book rules 6u coach pitch tournament this weekend using 2 man mechanics. I have never called this type of ball, thankfully and could find NO references.

 

I completely agree that it is silly to have 2 umpires on this type of game BUT does anyone know the positioning for the umpires for this type of game?

 

 

 

FYI- Its $26.50 per umpire per game.

[noumpere]

BUT does anyone know the positioning for the umpires for this type of game?

 

 

 

 lots of cute moms and sisters.

U1 first stands next to the cute mom.  U2 then gets between the cute mom and the sister and keeps the sister busy until U1 can get the mom's number.

 

Switch between "innings".

[BigUmpire]

 

 

 

 

 

[noumpere]

 

BUT does anyone know the positioning for the umpires for this type of game?

 

 

 

 lots of cute moms and sisters.

U1 first stands next to the cute mom.  U2 then gets between the cute mom and the sister and keeps the sister busy until U1 can get the mom's number.

 

Switch between "innings".

 

U2 might even have to go above and beyond his job duties and pretend to like the sister.  Its all part of being the wing umpire.

[SoCal Lurker]

Some of our young umpires will be calling a USSSA book rules 6u coach pitch tournament this weekend using 2 man mechanics. I have never called this type of ball, thankfully and could find NO references.

 

 

 

I completely agree that it is silly to have 2 umpires on this type of game BUT does anyone know the positioning for the umpires for this type of game?

 

 

 

FYI- Its $26.50 per umpire per game.

 

 

I'm not sure which is the greater oxymoron "6U" and "tournament" or "6U coach pitch" and "2 man mechanics" . . .

[mjr_2013]

Assuming one will have equipment, put him behind the plate.

 

For the other, position A is the same as any other league, about 10 feet behind the F3... Position B and C will be different depending on whether this league will allow leadoffs and steals... I'm assuming (hoping) they don't, and if they don't, they should just be a LL 60 foot mechanics, which puts B as halfway between first and second to the right of the F4 on the edge of the outfield grass. Be careful they don't get in the sightline of the F9

 

Position C would then be behind and to the left of F6, kind of in his shadow, but don't invade his personal space.

 

If you need it in detail, this is a good powerpoint that shows the full mechanics: swll.intuitwebsites.com/2man-mechanics.ppt

 

I WISH THEM GOOD LUCK!!!

[kylejt]

They start in A and D the whole game, because you need line coverage. Fair/foul is far more important than getting close to a tag play at second.

[DVA7130]

I have never heard of two man for this age.. but I would run it just like a normal 8u coach toss game with the guy standing a few feet to the side of the plate doing a lot less running  . BU uses normal A, B, and C out side of the baselines like LL.

 

I recommend having the "PU" stand about 5-10ft off the left of the plate in foul. If bases loaded, stand off to the opposite side.

[blue23ll]

It is important to remember, that during the bottom of the 3rd inning, the players break for  juice and a short nap. One umpire, usually the PU pours the juice and the field umpire distributes the blankies. Stories are then read, with a short Q&A, then potty time and you can resume play. ALSO, be sure to note on your line up card, which players still wear pull-ups.

[jjb]

Out Plate Umpire does not wear gear, as he's not calling balls and strikes. We have the PU stand about 8 feet to the side of the plate, facing the batter. (I realize that he's in jeopardy of getting hit by the ball, but, at that level, the batter has a tendancy to let the bat go behind him and you don't want to eat a bat). He'll need to hustle to the line on a close foul call, but we're able to teach it and it's rarely an issue. The BU will use outside mechanics (behind F4 and F6) as he has to be able to see the runners who may leave early. Otherwise, it's general 2-man mechanics (good training for working upper levels).

 

We use CP as a training tool for new (14 year-old) Umpires: having a basis of the 2-man mechanics makes it easier as they move up.

[BigUmpire]

It is important to remember, that during the bottom of the 3rd inning, the players break for  juice and a short nap. One umpire, usually the PU pours the juice and the field umpire distributes the blankies. Stories are then read, with a short Q&A, then potty time and you can resume play. ALSO, be sure to note on your line up card, which players still wear pull-ups.

Or in the case of an umpire my age I am wearing pull ups.

[mjr_2013]

Looking at all answers, I think we've gotten like five different responses...

 

I guess the best answer would be: who gives a crap, it's 6U. Stand wherever the hell you want, just try not to make a little kid cry..

[jjb]

Guys, make all the fun you want of U9 Umpires: it's a great way to start brand-new, out-of-the-box Umpires. Since they're not yet calling balls and strikes, they can focus on rotations, fair/foul, OBS and a ton of other things they need to know. Then, after they've learned the basic stuff, they grab gear and move behind the plate. We've done it this way for about 8 years, now, and it's been a great system to teach the job.

[BigUmpire]

Looking at all answers, I think we've gotten like five different responses...

 

I guess the best answer would be: who gives a crap, it's 6U. Stand wherever the hell you want, just try not to make a little kid cry..

Exactly. I really dont know.

[johnnyg08]

The parents must be very proud to get their 6 yo kids involved in such competitive baseball that they need two umpires for 6U.

 

I can hear the complaints already about the officiating. 

 

Cry myself a river.

[BigUmpire]

The parents must be very proud to get their 6 yo kids involved in such competitive baseball that they need two umpires for 6U.

 

I can hear the complaints already about the officiating. 

 

Cry myself a river.

Thats why I am not doing it

[Mike Prince]

Doing an 8U machine pitch Cal Ripken All-Star tournament starting tonight as a favor to my assignor.  2-man, $25 each per game.  The "BU"  is the pitcher and the "PU" stands in the area of HP behind the batter to count pitches/swings, make calls at the plate, watch for runners leaving early, and encourages the F2 to stay back there.  They can be fun but I had one of these games blow up on me last year with one team/one incident that showed how clueless parents and coaches can be.

 

If the assignor wasn't my friend, I would not get anywhere near these games.  One (only) bonus is that moms of 8 year olds are younger and look a hell of a lot better than moms of high school kids.

[BigUmpire]

Doing an 8U machine pitch Cal Ripken All-Star tournament starting tonight as a favor to my assignor.  2-man, $25 each per game.  The "BU"  is the pitcher and the "PU" stands in the area of HP behind the batter to count pitches/swings, make calls at the plate, watch for runners leaving early, and encourages the F2 to stay back there.  They can be fun but I had one of these games blow up on me last year with one team/one incident that showed how clueless parents and coaches can be.

 

If the assignor wasn't my friend, I would not get anywhere near these games.  One (only) bonus is that moms of 8 year olds are younger and look a hell of a lot better than moms of high school kids.

This is what I have been looking for. Thanks Mike!

[blue23ll]

Looking at all answers, I think we've gotten like five different responses...

 

I guess the best answer would be: who gives a crap, it's 6U. Stand wherever the hell you want, just try not to make a little kid cry..

In all seriousness, I would be very afraid of knocking one of these kids down. I just don't see the need for umpires, and I don't see any relative training value. When I coached T-Ball at the turn of the century, we didn't use umpires, the coaches called fair/foul, out/safe, because they were allowed on the field. We also used coach pitch later in the season.

[BigUmpire]

 

Looking at all answers, I think we've gotten like five different responses...

 

I guess the best answer would be: who gives a crap, it's 6U. Stand wherever the hell you want, just try not to make a little kid cry..

In all seriousness, I would be very afraid of knocking one of these kids down. I just don't see the need for umpires, and I don't see any relative training value. When I coached T-Ball at the turn of the century, we didn't use umpires, the coaches called fair/foul, out/safe, because they were allowed on the field. We also used coach pitch later in the season.

 

Understood and agree. USSSA wants them.

[blue23ll]

Okay, if you can't talk them out of it....LOLOLOL..  

 

For positioning, as I read previously, I would put one umpire near the plate area, no gear. The field umpire would work 60' mechanics, with NO pivot into the infield, stay outside and make your calls from there.

 

An easy afternoon of work and $25 in your pocket (Don't call me because I ain't doin it)

[BigUmpire]

Okay, if you can't talk them out of it....LOLOLOL..  

 

For positioning, as I read previously, I would put one umpire near the plate area, no gear. The field umpire would work 60' mechanics, with NO pivot into the infield, stay outside and make your calls from there.

 

An easy afternoon of work and $25 in your pocket (Don't call me because I ain't doin it)

Thanks. I would do it either.

[mstaylor]

Guys, there is a fair amount of pitching machine and coach pitch baseball around the country. We all know most coaches are fairly clueless on rules, some are even biased in their vision of plays. As such there is a need for umpires in these games. Besides keeping the game on an even keel it educates the coaches and players to the rules of baseball. When questions like this are presented refrain from the WTH do you need umpires for or why are there tournaments, if you don't agree with using them at that level, don't answer. The need I have explained, the why, good question. The kids do learn some skills and get more reps than we did as kids. 

[kylejt]

Can't I have an opinion, though? Keeping score at this level is silly, much less playing tournaments, thus not needing umpires.

 

That said, put them, and keep them on the lines, You need fair/foul coverage. A guy somewhere behind the plate, unprotected, is not a good idea. (I know. We have a little guy tourney every year, where it's machine pitch for the first three innings. We've tried all sorts of two man positioning, and I think my way works best)

 

I do enjoy coach pitch. It really puts the coach on the spot.

 

One more tip: As an umpire, do not ever, EVER work the pitching machine. Let an O coach fail at that, and take the heat. It's just one less thing for us to get yelled at for.

[SoCal Lurker]

Can't I have an opinion, though? Keeping score at this level is silly, much less playing tournaments, thus not needing umpires.

 

 

But, but, how can you have a travel team tournament without keeping score?   

[JaxRolo]

 

One more tip: As an umpire, do not ever, EVER work the pitching machine. Let an O coach fail at that, and take the heat. It's just one less thing for us to get yelled at for.

 

I agree fully! I have seen softball tournys where Umpires operate the machine. (after they clean it off with the plate brush   )

 

But have never seen baseball umpires operate a machine.