In this thread, we post LLWS observations

[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? There should have been one when the IL catcher blocked the plate.

 

 

Just went back and found this.  Agree 100%.  F2 set up blocking the plate and the runner slides into him just prior to F2 receiving the throw.  This must be called.

[KLAH316]

 

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.

 

Reminds me of the WCWS Softball

[Jimurray]

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

I think you were replying to my NCAA reference. It wasn't the CWS. It was in March: http://umphub.com/bl...ire-obstruction

[grayhawk]

 

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

I think you were replying to my NCAA reference. It wasn't the CWS. It was in March: http://umphub.com/bl...ire-obstruction

 

 

From the comments in that thread:

 

"Jim Paronto, Secretary Rules Editor for NCAA Baseball, stated it was wrong by rule but good for the game."

 

I know @MidAmUmp talks about "common sense and fair play."  I would be curious to know his thoughts on this play and on Paronto's statement (if true).

[mstaylor]

 

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

I think you were replying to my NCAA reference. It wasn't the CWS. It was in March: http://umphub.com/bl...ire-obstruction

 

Ok, that's a completely hatcheted job. THAT IS NOT UMPIRE INTERFERENCE! That is a runner colliding with an umpire, that's nothing except grief for being there. The same in the LL game, it is wrong. I believe there was a case where they did it at the MLB level and they were wrong. Change the rule to make it illegal, great, make an interp to make it illegal, great, but right now it is nothing. 

Also, I realize the camera quality on the NCAA clip sucked but the U1's shoes looked completely white. Get real baseball umpire shoes that aren't ugly. 

[johnnyg08]

The rule has to be this way otherwise we'll have coaches teaching their players to run at the umpire(s).

[grayhawk]

Remember this thread?  

 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/40537-swing-on-ibb-strike/

 

It just happened in the SoCal vs NV game in the top of the 5th.  Nevada F1 is nearing his pitch limit and they are issuing an IBB.  Batter swings on the 3-0 pitch.  PU calls it a strike and batter takes ball 4 on the next pitch.

[Richvee]

Remember this thread?  

 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/40537-swing-on-ibb-strike/

 

It just happened in the SoCal vs NV game in the top of the 5th.  Nevada F1 is nearing his pitch limit and they are issuing an IBB.  Batter swings on the 3-0 pitch.  PU calls it a strike and batter takes ball 4 on the next pitch.

I saw it. I also saw it happen in  our state finals last season. it was called a strike there also with no issues. If LL doesn't want that happening, adopt the FED IBB rule. Otherwise, a swing is a strike as far as I'm concerned.

 

Watched the 2 games this afternoon. Thought both PUs were good. West region PU may have had a pretty tight zone for LL, but I thought it was one of the best zones I've seen for this level of LL. I think a lot of these guys are calling strikes they don't need to be calling at a regional finals level.    

[grayhawk]

 

Remember this thread?  

 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/40537-swing-on-ibb-strike/

 

It just happened in the SoCal vs NV game in the top of the 5th.  Nevada F1 is nearing his pitch limit and they are issuing an IBB.  Batter swings on the 3-0 pitch.  PU calls it a strike and batter takes ball 4 on the next pitch.

I saw it. I also saw it happen in  our state finals last season. it was called a strike there also with no issues. If LL doesn't want that happening, adopt the FED IBB rule. Otherwise, a swing is a strike as far as I'm concerned.

 

Watched the 2 games this afternoon. Thought both PUs were good. West region PU may have had a pretty tight zone for LL, but I thought it was one of the best zones I've seen for this level of LL. I think a lot of these guys are calling strikes they don't need to be calling at a regional finals level.    

 

 

That's the good thing about LL's ruling.  It's a judgement call, so call it an offer or not - it's up to you.

 

I thought the PU for the West region game could have grabbed a few more strikes, but I thought his zone was better than most.  It looks tight because he's not calling strikes 2 balls out like so many do.  SoCal's F2 was pretty brutal today - whiffing easy ones all game.  He better shore that up if they want to win tomorrow.

[KLAH316]

Virginia/Tennessee:

U1 - Very Robotic and Mechanical in his calls. Just like WCWS.

PU - 3K looks like an afterthought. Its his called strike, then turns it into a mini chainsaw

That was just the 1st inning.

[blue23ll]

I didn't think there was such thing as umpire obstruction...

 

As far a the LL umpire program, I was deeply involved in my local leagues and district umpire training, and we never told anyone to be robotic. Everyone needs to start with the basics and with experience begin to put their own personalities into their work on the field. The district I was part of took our training program very seriously. I once was lead instructor in a beginning clinic and we had well over 200 kids and adult umpires. This was very top notch training, as several of us also were working our local HS and JC baseball.

 

Now, that was about 7 years ago or so, so I can't speak for what is happening now. The WR umpire school always got rave reviews from those who attended, but from my observation, if you were a good umpire before you went, you were a good umpire when you came back, if you were marginal, you didn't come back much better. I figured the WR week long school was more about getting seen and observed by the WR staff in order to get invited for a regional assignment, more than to learn.

 

I wasn't able to watch a lot of the game I did get to see, the pitchers were throwing big looping curves and the umpire seemed to be guessing at the zone. For the life of me I can't stand seeing 6 umpires on a 60' field. But it does get more umpires invited out to work the 'big' games.

[Richvee]

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

I noticed this all day today. Watching tonight's late game PU seemed even higher than the others. Plus, he had virtually no head movement,.I know that's a good thing, but his head was so high it looked from the camera angle like there was no way he could possibly see a low pitch. I'm sure he could see it, but to me it looked like he'd have to strain some eye muscles to lower his eyes that much.  

[BRUMP]

My .02

1. Lou I agree 110% the West Region has the best umps and IMO its not even close.

2. With regards to head height, remember these kids are not all that big. For a taller umpire (speaking from experience I'm 6'2 myself) its hard to get proper head height.

3. When your working a game on TV your a little amped up and you may not be 100% in the zone and that's understandable.

4. With regards to the UI, there's just no excuse for 6 guys to kick a rule that badly.

[UMP45]

Remember if you're having trouble seeing the low pitch you're head is to low.  I work high but it works for me.

[JaxRolo]

Game on right now PU is high and is very robotic. His timing is good.

[Jocko]

Called an illegal pitch "ball" for the pitcher going to his mouth on the rubber. But didn't replace the ball??

[UMP45]

They weren't to replace the ball just call it!

[dumbdumb]

They weren't to replace the ball just call it!

Might be some hubba bubba on that ball. Maybe some now or later? Might get a better grip advantage or it might make that ball dance all over? Could he sneak some slippery elm in that hubba bubba???

[blue23ll]

Western Regional Final observation. You might be too close to the catcher if he is trying to throw the ball back to the pitcher and he knocks your mask off with his arm.

[RichMSN]

My .02

1. Lou I agree 110% the West Region has the best umps and IMO its not even close.

2. With regards to head height, remember these kids are not all that big. For a taller umpire (speaking from experience I'm 6'2 myself) its hard to get proper head height.

3. When your working a game on TV your a little amped up and you may not be 100% in the zone and that's understandable.

4. With regards to the UI, there's just no excuse for 6 guys to kick a rule that badly.

Depends on your perspective, I guess. Our district in Wisconsin has sent 2 to Williamsport and also had 4 guys work a TV plate final in the past decade. Another guy should've worked one this year and somehow got squeezed out by obviously inferior umpires. I've frequently said that I'd put our top 10 against any other 10 LL umpires.

Those that say WR umpires are superior are usually affiliated with WR.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

[Atbroberts]

My .02 1. Lou I agree 110% the West Region has the best umps and IMO its not even close. 2. With regards to head height, remember these kids are not all that big. For a taller umpire (speaking from experience I'm 6'2 myself) its hard to get proper head height. 3. When your working a game on TV your a little amped up and you may not be 100% in the zone and that's understandable. 4. With regards to the UI, there's just no excuse for 6 guys to kick a rule that badly.

Depends on your perspective, I guess. Our district in Wisconsin has sent 2 to Williamsport and also had 4 guys work a TV plate final in the past decade. Another guy should've worked one this year and somehow got squeezed out by obviously inferior umpires. I've frequently said that I'd put our top 10 against any other 10 LL umpires. Those that say WR umpires are superior are usually affiliated with WR. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 I believe that any of the 8 regions would put their top 10 umpires up against another region.

[BRUMP]

My .02

1. Lou I agree 110% the West Region has the best umps and IMO its not even close.

2. With regards to head height, remember these kids are not all that big. For a taller umpire (speaking from experience I'm 6'2 myself) its hard to get proper head height.

3. When your working a game on TV your a little amped up and you may not be 100% in the zone and that's understandable.

4. With regards to the UI, there's just no excuse for 6 guys to kick a rule that badly.

Depends on your perspective, I guess. Our district in Wisconsin has sent 2 to Williamsport and also had 4 guys work a TV plate final in the past decade. Another guy should've worked one this year and somehow got squeezed out by obviously inferior umpires. I've frequently said that I'd put our top 10 against any other 10 LL umpires.

Those that say WR umpires are superior are usually affiliated with WR.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

Rich I'm in no way affiliated with the WR. There's umpiring talent all over the country and as you said in some regions we don't get to see it. I think the WR does the best job of getting the good umpires in to regionals and WS.

[RichMSN]

 

 

My .02 1. Lou I agree 110% the West Region has the best umps and IMO its not even close. 2. With regards to head height, remember these kids are not all that big. For a taller umpire (speaking from experience I'm 6'2 myself) its hard to get proper head height. 3. When your working a game on TV your a little amped up and you may not be 100% in the zone and that's understandable. 4. With regards to the UI, there's just no excuse for 6 guys to kick a rule that badly.

Depends on your perspective, I guess. Our district in Wisconsin has sent 2 to Williamsport and also had 4 guys work a TV plate final in the past decade. Another guy should've worked one this year and somehow got squeezed out by obviously inferior umpires. I've frequently said that I'd put our top 10 against any other 10 LL umpires. Those that say WR umpires are superior are usually affiliated with WR. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 I believe that any of the 8 regions would put their top 10 umpires up against another region.

 

 

Our district -- not our region.  I'd put our top 10 up against any crew selected at any regional.  Or even Williamsport.

 

Then again, we have 5 guys who work college baseball and another 5 who work HS varsity baseball.

 

 

My .02

1. Lou I agree 110% the West Region has the best umps and IMO its not even close.

2. With regards to head height, remember these kids are not all that big. For a taller umpire (speaking from experience I'm 6'2 myself) its hard to get proper head height.

3. When your working a game on TV your a little amped up and you may not be 100% in the zone and that's understandable.

4. With regards to the UI, there's just no excuse for 6 guys to kick a rule that badly.

Depends on your perspective, I guess. Our district in Wisconsin has sent 2 to Williamsport and also had 4 guys work a TV plate final in the past decade. Another guy should've worked one this year and somehow got squeezed out by obviously inferior umpires. I've frequently said that I'd put our top 10 against any other 10 LL umpires.

Those that say WR umpires are superior are usually affiliated with WR.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

Rich I'm in no way affiliated with the WR. There's umpiring talent all over the country and as you said in some regions we don't get to see it. I think the WR does the best job of getting the good umpires in to regionals and WS.

 

 

I wouldn't disagree with that.

[blue23ll]

I would agree that the WR gets some good umpires to the Regionals, and that has a lot to do with the quality of the Districts in WR's training programs. For the most part though, WR assignments are made to reward volunteer service and not based on competence of the officials.

[Atbroberts]

My .02 1. Lou I agree 110% the West Region has the best umps and IMO its not even close. 2. With regards to head height, remember these kids are not all that big. For a taller umpire (speaking from experience I'm 6'2 myself) its hard to get proper head height. 3. When your working a game on TV your a little amped up and you may not be 100% in the zone and that's understandable. 4. With regards to the UI, there's just no excuse for 6 guys to kick a rule that badly.

Depends on your perspective, I guess. Our district in Wisconsin has sent 2 to Williamsport and also had 4 guys work a TV plate final in the past decade. Another guy should've worked one this year and somehow got squeezed out by obviously inferior umpires. I've frequently said that I'd put our top 10 against any other 10 LL umpires. Those that say WR umpires are superior are usually affiliated with WR. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

I believe that any of the 8 regions would put their top 10 umpires up against another region.

 

Our district -- not our region.  I'd put our top 10 up against any crew selected at any regional.  Or even Williamsport.

 

I would say the same about my district.