In this thread, we post LLWS observations

[Jocko]

Rainman, you should patent that idea. Prescription buckets. Lasik schmasik

[Jocko]

Just saw an in the parker scored as a triple+error. Smdh.

[SJA]

Anyone else tired of seeing these kids crying during the game?

:-(

[Jocko]

Idaho/Washington game. HP is HUGE. Overexuberant mechanics by all the crew. Check swing appeal and 1BU held the hammer for 4 seconds. Call was right. Mechanic was assed up.

[Jocko]

What is it with the LL hp umps and head height? Jeez they set up higher than the batter :shakehead:

[Jocko]

I watched as there were multiple hits and runners moving and he never took his "bucket" off his head.

  Most pro catcher's these days don't take their masks off. They see just fine. I've seen an MLB catcher catch a popup without removing his bucket - because you can see that well. Your vision is MUCH better with a bucket. The only reason to take it off is to satisfy someone else's sense of propriety.if that be the case, why move up the line trailing the runner? You can see from the point of the plate. Just stand there with your arms crossed, bucket on, and call the running lane infraction. Oh, wait.... it's called "DOING WHAT YOURE SUPPOSED TO DO"

Catchers take theirs off or don't. Who cares. This is an umpire forum. Not a catchers forum. Come on, Rich.

[Jimurray]

You all are on the televised LL umpires about some valid points. Those points exist in rec and, depending on administration, many PONY, BR or whatever leagues. You can even find some egregious examples in some HS/ FED videos. But why has no one blasted the NCAA umps who kicked a rule when shown on this thread or the one cited.

[Jimurray]

What is it with the LL hp umps and head height? Jeez they set up higher than the batter

I noticed that. Maybe they are doing the Gerry Davis stance.

[Jimurray]

Anyone else tired of seeing these kids crying during the game?:-(

I did a 10-under PONY regional this summer and the pitcher cried after every error or hit. The fans got him on track with whatever they were saying and he soldiered on. I have never seen this before and wonder if it is a syndrome of some sort.

[semper_fi_72]

Ok

My input on this thread.

We shouldn't be casting stones about the Little League Umpires that volunteer their time and as far as the Regions and Little League are concerned are experienced enough to umpire the games they are umpiring.

Except for some post season I don't volunteer much free games to Little League.

But I do know some Western Region guys (BTW IMHO Western Region is the best trained) I would gladly work any where with.

They have worked Regionals and World Series.

There is getting to be a problem with some guys not even wanting to go to umpire regional's any more, no less the World Series because of the TV coverage.

They are not Professional Umpires.

They are Little League Volunteers and what they do and what you see must be fine by Little League, or they would not be there.

That is my :2cents:

You can agree or disagree with LL and the LL Umpiring Program.

The thing is, it is what they want it to be.

[Jimurray]

the game is still on (2 more outs)..I actually was thinking the guy got out from behind the plate pretty good...doesn't take the bucket off though...but other than appearing overweight, I don't have a problem with the guy

Do you have a problem with an MLB umpire not taking the bucket off. That has happened also.

[mstaylor]

I have watched a fair bit of the regionals, there many very overweight umpires this year with no mobility. Most og the PUs have been decent with small mechanical problems that could be fixed in a cage in short order. Two plate umpires I saw today were calling strikes way too far off the plate and one of them way too high. Again, correctable but that has always been my knock on all youth baseball, not just LL. There have not been any really bad gaffs except the ridiculous UI yesterday and a horribly blown obstruction call today. All in all, not a terrible year this year so far. 

[Richvee]

WOW! Second baseman IS a dude named Cunningham. I just know I'd be proud of my son with hair that long. WHEW!

:-(

 I'd be proud of my kid if he had hair that long, or if he was bald. If my son was good enough and lucky enough to play on a state champion team, you betcha I'd be proud. Lance McCutchen, Rickie Weeks, Jason Werth, I've got no problem with them either. 

[Jimurray]

I have watched a fair bit of the regionals, there many very overweight umpires this year with no mobility. Most og the PUs have been decent with small mechanical problems that could be fixed in a cage in short order. Two plate umpires I saw today were calling strikes way too far off the plate and one of them way too high. Again, correctable but that has always been my knock on all youth baseball, not just LL. There have not been any really bad gaffs except the ridiculous UI yesterday and a horribly blown obstruction call today. All in all, not a terrible year this year so far.

[Jimurray]

I have watched a fair bit of the regionals, there many very overweight umpires this year with no mobility. Most og the PUs have been decent with small mechanical problems that could be fixed in a cage in short order. Two plate umpires I saw today were calling strikes way too far off the plate and one of them way too high. Again, correctable but that has always been my knock on all youth baseball, not just LL. There have not been any really bad gaffs except the ridiculous UI yesterday and a horribly blown obstruction call today. All in all, not a terrible year this year so far.

So would you say the UI/UO call in the NCAA game was ridiculous?

[grayhawk]

I have watched a fair bit of the regionals, there many very overweight umpires this year with no mobility. Most og the PUs have been decent with small mechanical problems that could be fixed in a cage in short order. Two plate umpires I saw today were calling strikes way too far off the plate and one of them way too high. Again, correctable but that has always been my knock on all youth baseball, not just LL. There have not been any really bad gaffs except the ridiculous UI yesterday and a horribly blown obstruction call today. All in all, not a terrible year this year so far.

What obstruction call was it? There was an OBS call in the IL/WI game, but they never showed the actual OBS. Was it a different one?

[Rich Ives]

I watched as there were multiple hits and runners moving and he never took his "bucket" off his head.

Most pro catcher's these days don't take their masks off. They see just fine. I've seen an MLB catcher catch a popup without removing his bucket - because you can see that well. Your vision is MUCH better with a bucket. The only reason to take it off is to satisfy someone else's sense of propriety.if that be the case, why move up the line trailing the runner? You can see from the point of the plate. Just stand there with your arms crossed, bucket on, and call the running lane infraction. Oh, wait.... it's called "DOING WHAT YOURE SUPPOSED TO DO" Catchers take theirs off or don't. Who cares. This is an umpire forum. Not a catchers forum. Come on, Rich. You don't use a bucket - right? If you did you'd know what I mean about vision - and the lack of a need to remove it. But because umpires take the mask off it is thus a requirement - or face the derisive comments of your peers. BTW, umpires used to wear neckties. You got past that and lived to tell about it. You can get past the "remove mask" bit too.

[Rich Ives]

I have watched a fair bit of the regionals, there many very overweight umpires this year with no mobility. Most og the PUs have been decent with small mechanical problems that could be fixed in a cage in short order. Two plate umpires I saw today were calling strikes way too far off the plate and one of them way too high. Again, correctable but that has always been my knock on all youth baseball, not just LL. There have not been any really bad gaffs except the ridiculous UI yesterday and a horribly blown obstruction call today. All in all, not a terrible year this year so far.

What obstruction call was it? There was an OBS call in the IL/WI game, but they never showed the actual OBS. Was it a different one? There should have been one when the IL catcher blocked the plate.

[Dannytheman]

I was up at the Western/Northwestern San Bernardino last weekend. These guys are TOLD to be robotic and that they will be on TV, they are told what to do and to NOT SUCK. For many of them they have never worked a 6 man crew and they work hard for hours before the game preparing.  They are in a little dorm at a table and learning assignments and doing the best they can. I talked to a few of them. They are volunteers and have taken a weeks vacation to be here and to work games. (ZERO $$) I think they get free water.

 

So if they mess things up, that's normal, same as big leagues, but we see it more because it's on TV.

 

When I get out there I will be more worried about the ripping I will get here then what might happen on the field!!

[mstaylor]

Not remembering it, I missed the entire CWS this year.

[mstaylor]

I was up at the Western/Northwestern San Bernardino last weekend. These guys are TOLD to be robotic and that they will be on TV, they are told what to do and to NOT SUCK. For many of them they have never worked a 6 man crew and they work hard for hours before the game preparing.  They are in a little dorm at a table and learning assignments and doing the best they can. I talked to a few of them. They are volunteers and have taken a weeks vacation to be here and to work games. (ZERO $$) I think they get free water.

 

So if they mess things up, that's normal, same as big leagues, but we see it more because it's on TV.

 

When I get out there I will be more worried about the ripping I will get here then what might happen on the field!!

What LL,CR or any other youth group that has their games on TV is watch the guys working during the non televised games and fix the glitches there, then put them on TV. The rotations, I don't care about, I know they have little to no experience in 4 man/6 man so they simply do what the region says. When you start kicking obvious rules, then I get upset. 

The UI was simply wrong. Umpire had absolutely no mobility and the BR ran into him advancing on an overthrow at first. Because of the collision he got thrown out at second. The umpire immediately called time, awarded second, tapped his chest and repeated the UI. You can't do that, you have to keep the out and take the heat. 

The obstruction at the plate was as obvious as it gets. Defense tries to turn a DB but threw the ball offline at first. R3 tried to advance home, catcher dropped on his knees in front of the plate, runner starts his slide, then catcher catches the ball. The runner beats the tag and tried to hit the plate but hit the catcher's foot and it kicked it off. That is obstruction in LL and the plate should have been awarded. 

[grayhawk]

Ok

My input on this thread.

We shouldn't be casting stones about the Little League Umpires that volunteer their time and as far as the Regions and Little League are concerned are experienced enough to umpire the games they are umpiring.

Except for some post season I don't volunteer much free games to Little League.

But I do know some Western Region guys (BTW IMHO Western Region is the best trained) I would gladly work any where with.

They have worked Regionals and World Series.

There is getting to be a problem with some guys not even wanting to go to umpire regional's any more, no less the World Series because of the TV coverage.

They are not Professional Umpires.

They are Little League Volunteers and what they do and what you see must be fine by Little League, or they would not be there.

That is my :2cents:

You can agree or disagree with LL and the LL Umpiring Program.

The thing is, it is what they want it to be.

 

I agree for the most part, but I posted this thread as a way to use televised amateur umpiring to help identify ways to improve.  This means using things they are doing, when appropriate, to mimic.  It also means pointing out mistakes so we don't make them in our games.

 

It takes some guts to get out there as an amateur and do these games on ESPN.  I applaud them for being there.  I have worked with many LL only umpires that are much better than some guys I have worked with in travel ball or even HS.  They take it as serious as anyone, work hard on their rules knowledge and mechanics, and believe 100% in LL as a youth program.

 

I have observed post game sessions and these guys are open to constructive criticism, usually already know when they kicked a rotation, and spend the time trying to get better.

 

Some folks seem to think not receiving a paycheck makes these guys somehow inferior.  I promise you - this is not the case.

[RichMSN]

I was up at the Western/Northwestern San Bernardino last weekend. These guys are TOLD to be robotic and that they will be on TV, they are told what to do and to NOT SUCK. For many of them they have never worked a 6 man crew and they work hard for hours before the game preparing.  They are in a little dorm at a table and learning assignments and doing the best they can. I talked to a few of them. They are volunteers and have taken a weeks vacation to be here and to work games. (ZERO $$) I think they get free water.

 

So if they mess things up, that's normal, same as big leagues, but we see it more because it's on TV.

 

When I get out there I will be more worried about the ripping I will get here then what might happen on the field!!

 

I'm actually someone who has been there.  Let me check my DVR -- yup, it was a year ago tomorrow.

 

Quite frankly, the umpiring in total will never get any better than this.  The main reason is that many of those with the ability to change some of this culture look down upon people who do anything but shine sunshine up the volunteer umpires' backsides.  You'll rarely see a top notch umpire work in these games that haven't received a bulk of their training and relevant experience outside of organized Little League.

 

I've tried to help change some of this culture locally and encourage people to reward those who have worked hard to really improve their craft and I've been pretty much ignored.  I worked a regional this week and I do not know if I'll ever work another Little League game or event at this point.

 

I'm really disillusioned by much of what I've seen and experienced.

[SJA]

RichMSN, Agree 100%.

SJA

[grayhawk]

I was up at the Western/Northwestern San Bernardino last weekend. These guys are TOLD to be robotic and that they will be on TV, they are told what to do and to NOT SUCK. For many of them they have never worked a 6 man crew and they work hard for hours before the game preparing.  They are in a little dorm at a table and learning assignments and doing the best they can. I talked to a few of them. They are volunteers and have taken a weeks vacation to be here and to work games. (ZERO $$) I think they get free water.

 

So if they mess things up, that's normal, same as big leagues, but we see it more because it's on TV.

 

When I get out there I will be more worried about the ripping I will get here then what might happen on the field!!

 

Why are they told to be robotic?  Does someone think this approach reflects well on Little League?  These are not new umpires.  They usually have 10-20 years of experience and are capable of using their own style to make their umpiring look more natural.