Here's one!

SJA · August 25, 2014

http://www.sportsgrid.com/espn/is-it-time-for-little-league-world-series-to-dump-amateur-umpires/

grayhawk · August 25, 2014

The pic in that article shows a pitch that I assume was a called strike. The thing is, I saw several that were even farther into the opposite batter's box called strikes in the LLWS. While I understand that these are 12 and 13 year olds, and the zone shouldn't be an MLB zone, these are some of the best LL pitchers in the world and those kids do a pretty darn good job of hitting their spots. Giving more than one ball off the plate to those pitchers simply isn't necessary.

I saw the hosed call at first on that double play attempt. Yet another U1 taking a throw from second base from foul territory.

blue23ll · August 25, 2014

What are we supposed to be looking at here? oh oh...the locations of the pitch!! The way I look at it, if you are calling youth ball and don't call strikes, you might never get home. And that includes the LLWS.

I am also puzzled by how U1's are taking plays in foul ground. I suspect its because they don't want to be in the way of the throws from 2b.

grayhawk · August 25, 2014

I wonder if the LLWS umpires are told to call a huge zone to help stay within the ESPN schedule.

BigUmpire · August 25, 2014

I wonder if the LLWS umpires are told to call a huge zone to help stay within the ESPN schedule.

I am convinced these guys got a lot of " directives/suggestions" most of us would not like.

MidAmUmp · August 25, 2014

I watched about 5 minutes of one game a couple days ago and without being nitpicky I could have filled up the front of a legal sized piece of paper with notes on what I saw.

The plate guy's feet were inverted, setting up way too high, no real lean with his back...almost straight backed, mechanics were bad, didn't really command a presence at all, timing was too fast.

The 3rd base guy had a bounding ball go past him, he stood there with a dumbfounded, deer in the headlights look, stared at the plate umpire, then finally about 8-10 seconds later made a foul ball call...which was awful (mechanically).

The LF umpire collided with the SS who was trying to make a play on a foul ball. Could we all agree that having 6 umpires on a field that small is overkill??? But...I guess it doesn't cost them any more $$$, so what the hell. :rollinglaugh:

It always kills me to read about them losing track of the count. Everyone of them has a "clicker" out there. How do they lose track of the count?

Check swings are always fun to watch. It seems like every plate umpire will step away from the plate and dramatically ask the wing guy if the batter swung. The wing guy will stand up, put his feet together like he's been called to attention in the military, and will give an even more dramatic safe or out call, usually after a 1-2 second pause to get the camera on him. And I sit there :Spit_20Laugh:

There has been some discussion about the base guys carrying a brush with them to clean the safety base when it comes lose. Here's a hell of an idea - why don't you allow the kids to slide head first and I'll bet the bases don't come loose every time because of a kid essentially kicking the damn thing when he slides into it???

The media is going to run with paying the players, probably by way of scholarships or some sort of trust. There was a pretty good article over the weekend, the argument was being made to pay the players, but they really hit on what the big-wigs with Little League are being paid, which is the point I was making in another post. I would say changes are coming to Little League and while I'm opposed to paying kids to play, they do need to start looking into paying the umpires. As big of a stage as they currently command they need some more qualified umpires out there. Maybe some sort of agreement with PBUC for reserve list umpires? Who knows. ESPN will set all of this. It was pretty obvious that they wanted Philly and Chicago in the finals this year. Chances are there wouldn't be much discussion about the umpiring had those two made it and they could have run with the storyline (a word that needs to be banned from the English language, BTW) about the girl for a couple more days.

Replacematt · August 25, 2014

I can assure you that the general incompetence of the LLWS umpiring precludes any ability to steer games into a storyline-based direction.

Rich Ives · August 25, 2014

I watched about 5 minutes of one game a couple days ago and without being nitpicky I could have filled up the front of a legal sized piece of paper with notes on what I saw.

The plate guy's feet were inverted, setting up way too high, no real lean with his back...almost straight backed, mechanics were bad, didn't really command a presence at all, timing was too fast.

The 3rd base guy had a bounding ball go past him, he stood there with a dumbfounded, deer in the headlights look, stared at the plate umpire, then finally about 8-10 seconds later made a foul ball call...which was awful (mechanically). Was it his call in the first place or was he just echoing the PU call?

The LF umpire collided with the SS who was trying to make a play on a foul ball. Could we all agree that having 6 umpires on a field that small is overkill??? But...I guess it doesn't cost them any more $$$, so what the hell. You really don't "get" LL at all.

It always kills me to read about them losing track of the count. Everyone of them has a "clicker" out there. No they don't. How do they lose track of the count? Same way the MLB guys do. MLB even uses replay to fix it,

Check swings are always fun to watch. It seems like every plate umpire will step away from the plate and dramatically ask the wing guy if the batter swung. The wing guy will stand up, put his feet together like he's been called to attention in the military, and will give an even more dramatic safe or out call, usually after a 1-2 second pause to get the camera on him. Just like the pros. And I sit there

There has been some discussion about the base guys carrying a brush with them to clean the safety base when it comes lose. Here's a hell of an idea - why don't you allow the kids to slide head first and I'll bet the bases don't come loose every time because of a kid essentially kicking the damn thing when he slides into it??? Head first slides were banned due to too many injuries.

The media is going to run with paying the players, probably by way of scholarships or some sort of trust. There was a pretty good article over the weekend, the argument was being made to pay the players, but they really hit on what the big-wigs with Little League are being paid, which is the point I was making in another post. I would say changes are coming to Little League and while I'm opposed to paying kids to play, they do need to start looking into paying the umpires. Don't hold your breath. As big of a stage as they currently command they need some more qualified umpires out there. Maybe some sort of agreement with PBUC for reserve list umpires? Who knows. You certainly don't. ESPN will set all of this. It was pretty obvious that they wanted Philly and Chicago in the finals this year. Chances are there wouldn't be much discussion about the umpiring had those two made it and they could have run with the storyline (a word that needs to be banned from the English language, BTW) about the girl for a couple more days.

If you don't like LL - don't watch. Don't participate. And get off your high horse.

bleacher_bum · August 25, 2014

IMO, they will try and try and try to keep the umpires a "volunteer" group at the LLWS. It's their saving grace. As crappy as some of the calls were this year, (there were some really good umpires there too). But when you have that "volunteer", no one seems to want to get angry at them. LL knows this, and they USE this. They're all "Volunteers" , they say. Blow any call you want, and no one will get angry....Thanks for "volunteering".

It really is hard to be angry or upset at a bad call, just with the fact that they do volunteer their time and pay their way there. Most people here are critical of them, because most people here knows what it takes to become a good umpire.

SJA · August 25, 2014

It really is hard to be angry or upset at a bad call, just with the fact that they do volunteer their time and pay their way there.

Don't you ever believe that statement!

SJA :-(

DVA7130 · August 26, 2014

I watched about 5 minutes of one game a couple days ago and without being nitpicky I could have filled up the front of a legal sized piece of paper with notes on what I saw.

The plate guy's feet were inverted, setting up way too high, no real lean with his back...almost straight backed, mechanics were bad, didn't really command a presence at all, timing was too fast.

The 3rd base guy had a bounding ball go past him, he stood there with a dumbfounded, deer in the headlights look, stared at the plate umpire, then finally about 8-10 seconds later made a foul ball call...which was awful (mechanically). Was it his call in the first place or was he just echoing the PU call?

The LF umpire collided with the SS who was trying to make a play on a foul ball. Could we all agree that having 6 umpires on a field that small is overkill??? But...I guess it doesn't cost them any more $$$, so what the hell. You really don't "get" LL at all.

It always kills me to read about them losing track of the count. Everyone of them has a "clicker" out there. No they don't. How do they lose track of the count? Same way the MLB guys do. MLB even uses replay to fix it,

Check swings are always fun to watch. It seems like every plate umpire will step away from the plate and dramatically ask the wing guy if the batter swung. The wing guy will stand up, put his feet together like he's been called to attention in the military, and will give an even more dramatic safe or out call, usually after a 1-2 second pause to get the camera on him. Just like the pros. And I sit there

There has been some discussion about the base guys carrying a brush with them to clean the safety base when it comes lose. Here's a hell of an idea - why don't you allow the kids to slide head first and I'll bet the bases don't come loose every time because of a kid essentially kicking the damn thing when he slides into it??? Head first slides were banned due to too many injuries.

The media is going to run with paying the players, probably by way of scholarships or some sort of trust. There was a pretty good article over the weekend, the argument was being made to pay the players, but they really hit on what the big-wigs with Little League are being paid, which is the point I was making in another post. I would say changes are coming to Little League and while I'm opposed to paying kids to play, they do need to start looking into paying the umpires. Don't hold your breath. As big of a stage as they currently command they need some more qualified umpires out there. Maybe some sort of agreement with PBUC for reserve list umpires? Who knows. You certainly don't. ESPN will set all of this. It was pretty obvious that they wanted Philly and Chicago in the finals this year. Chances are there wouldn't be much discussion about the umpiring had those two made it and they could have run with the storyline (a word that needs to be banned from the English language, BTW) about the girl for a couple more days.

If you don't like LL - don't watch. Don't participate. And get off your high horse.

...

bleacher_bum · August 26, 2014

It really is hard to be angry or upset at a bad call, just with the fact that they do volunteer their time and pay their way there.

Don't you ever believe that statement!
SJA :-(

I know. But I guess what is felt is a sense of appreciation, which lends itself to empathy.

scrounge · August 26, 2014

I understand and even support the LL idea of volunteers at the local level - the ideal of a community coming together, from coaching to field maintenance to even officiating, to create a structure for kids to play appeals to me. I get it. Yea, you won't get great umpiring - but that really isn't the goal, is it? But for dog's sake, at least put your best volunteers out there for the nationally televised showcase event that makes all your money. Take LLWS assigning out of the hands of the regions...allow them to nominate a pool of officials, run a national clinic (and PAY for the expenses) before the LLWS, and put your best out there. Show some enlightened self-interest and realize that this is NOT a storyline you want. One of these days, it's going to blow up and some poor, little trained volunteer is going to be the front story on Deadspin - for the wrong reasons.

JaxRolo · August 26, 2014

If you are mainly a softball umpire using softball mechanics in a baseball game stay the hell away from LL Post season ball!!!!!

Thunderheads · August 26, 2014

I watched about 5 minutes of one game a couple days ago and without being nitpicky I could have filled up the front of a legal sized piece of paper with notes on what I saw.

The plate guy's feet were inverted, setting up way too high, no real lean with his back...almost straight backed, mechanics were bad, didn't really command a presence at all, timing was too fast.

The 3rd base guy had a bounding ball go past him, he stood there with a dumbfounded, deer in the headlights look, stared at the plate umpire, then finally about 8-10 seconds later made a foul ball call...which was awful (mechanically). Was it his call in the first place or was he just echoing the PU call?

The LF umpire collided with the SS who was trying to make a play on a foul ball. Could we all agree that having 6 umpires on a field that small is overkill??? But...I guess it doesn't cost them any more $$$, so what the hell. You really don't "get" LL at all.

It always kills me to read about them losing track of the count. Everyone of them has a "clicker" out there. No they don't. How do they lose track of the count? Same way the MLB guys do. MLB even uses replay to fix it,

Check swings are always fun to watch. It seems like every plate umpire will step away from the plate and dramatically ask the wing guy if the batter swung. The wing guy will stand up, put his feet together like he's been called to attention in the military, and will give an even more dramatic safe or out call, usually after a 1-2 second pause to get the camera on him. Just like the pros. And I sit there

There has been some discussion about the base guys carrying a brush with them to clean the safety base when it comes lose. Here's a hell of an idea - why don't you allow the kids to slide head first and I'll bet the bases don't come loose every time because of a kid essentially kicking the damn thing when he slides into it??? Head first slides were banned due to too many injuries.

The media is going to run with paying the players, probably by way of scholarships or some sort of trust. There was a pretty good article over the weekend, the argument was being made to pay the players, but they really hit on what the big-wigs with Little League are being paid, which is the point I was making in another post. I would say changes are coming to Little League and while I'm opposed to paying kids to play, they do need to start looking into paying the umpires. Don't hold your breath. As big of a stage as they currently command they need some more qualified umpires out there. Maybe some sort of agreement with PBUC for reserve list umpires? Who knows. You certainly don't. ESPN will set all of this. It was pretty obvious that they wanted Philly and Chicago in the finals this year. Chances are there wouldn't be much discussion about the umpiring had those two made it and they could have run with the storyline (a word that needs to be banned from the English language, BTW) about the girl for a couple more days.

If you don't like LL - don't watch. Don't participate. And get off your high horse.

It's just an opinion Rich, which we're all entitled to. Not sure I see a "high horse" in the post above.

Do you think everything's perfectly fine in "LL-land" ? I think it's probably a safe bet you don't ....

blue23ll · August 26, 2014

Apparently anyone who criticizes LL is on 'a high horse' with Rich. The thing is, having been involved with youth ball for many years, I know how dedicated the umpires I know are. They take pride in the work they do, they go to clinics, study and always are trying to improve themselves. Some of them are paid to work other levels of ball, and other youth programs, and as such, may never get the call to work higher levels of LL tournament play. To me, this is a great waste of high quality resources. But, LL has drawn their line in the sand, and based on that, they may never get the 'best of the best' umpires from their own organization to Williamsport. They are satisfied with 'the best of the rest', and qualify that with the 'volunteer' tag.

SJA · August 26, 2014

. . . and as such, may never get the call to work higher levels of LL tournament play. To me, this is a great waste of high quality resources. .. . and based on that, they may never get the 'best of the best' umpires from their own organization toWilliamsport. They are satisfied with 'the best of the rest', and qualify that with the 'volunteer' tag.

100% :-)

basejester · August 26, 2014

Some of them are paid to work other levels of ball, and other youth programs, and as such, may never get the call to work higher levels of LL tournament play. To me, this is a great waste of high quality resources. But, LL has drawn their line in the sand, and based on that, they may never get the 'best of the best' umpires from their own organization to Williamsport. They are satisfied with 'the best of the rest', and qualify that with the 'volunteer' tag.

Williamsport doesn't have a prohibition against working games for payment in other organizations. I agree that any district or region with that policy is misguided.

blue23ll · August 26, 2014

Some of them are paid to work other levels of ball, and other youth programs, and as such, may never get the call to work higher levels of LL tournament play. To me, this is a great waste of high quality resources. But, LL has drawn their line in the sand, and based on that, they may never get the 'best of the best' umpires from their own organization to Williamsport. They are satisfied with 'the best of the rest', and qualify that with the 'volunteer' tag.

Williamsport doesn't have a prohibition against working games for payment in other organizations. I agree that any district or region with that policy is misguided.

Agreed, which is why I said, "from their own organization", meaning the local league, districts and regions. The DA, and Regional Directors have their own criteria for who they nominate and select for Regional and above tournaments.

Rennolds · August 26, 2014

Some of them are paid to work other levels of ball, and other youth programs, and as such, may never get the call to work higher levels of LL tournament play. To me, this is a great waste of high quality resources. But, LL has drawn their line in the sand, and based on that, they may never get the 'best of the best' umpires from their own organization to Williamsport. They are satisfied with 'the best of the rest', and qualify that with the 'volunteer' tag.

Williamsport doesn't have a prohibition against working games for payment in other organizations. I agree that any district or region with that policy is misguided.

Agreed, which is why I said, "from their own organization", meaning the local league, districts and regions. The DA, and Regional Directors have their own criteria for who they nominate and select for Regional and above tournaments.

I've been told by a few guys half joking, stop going to those nice clinics and go to the cheaper LL ones if you ever want to get past Sectionals. Not that I would go, I still need a lot of work myself, but just asked to see how it's done around here.

grayhawk · August 26, 2014

Some of them are paid to work other levels of ball, and other youth programs, and as such, may never get the call to work higher levels of LL tournament play. To me, this is a great waste of high quality resources. But, LL has drawn their line in the sand, and based on that, they may never get the 'best of the best' umpires from their own organization to Williamsport. They are satisfied with 'the best of the rest', and qualify that with the 'volunteer' tag.

Williamsport doesn't have a prohibition against working games for payment in other organizations. I agree that any district or region with that policy is misguided.

Agreed, which is why I said, "from their own organization", meaning the local league, districts and regions. The DA, and Regional Directors have their own criteria for who they nominate and select for Regional and above tournaments.

I've been told by a few guys half joking, stop going to those nice clinics and go to the cheaper LL ones if you ever want to get past Sectionals. Not that I would go, I still need a lot of work myself, but just asked to see how it's done around here.

I was told to volunteer 25-30 games a year for 10 years and then I MAY have a chance to be nominated by my DA for the West Regional. Not happening.

blue23ll · August 26, 2014

Some of them are paid to work other levels of ball, and other youth programs, and as such, may never get the call to work higher levels of LL tournament play. To me, this is a great waste of high quality resources. But, LL has drawn their line in the sand, and based on that, they may never get the 'best of the best' umpires from their own organization to Williamsport. They are satisfied with 'the best of the rest', and qualify that with the 'volunteer' tag.

Williamsport doesn't have a prohibition against working games for payment in other organizations. I agree that any district or region with that policy is misguided.

Agreed, which is why I said, "from their own organization", meaning the local league, districts and regions. The DA, and Regional Directors have their own criteria for who they nominate and select for Regional and above tournaments.

I've been told by a few guys half joking, stop going to those nice clinics and go to the cheaper LL ones if you ever want to get past Sectionals. Not that I would go, I still need a lot of work myself, but just asked to see how it's done around here.

I was told to volunteer 25-30 games a year for 10 years and then I MAY have a chance to be nominated by my DA for the West Regional. Not happening.

Were you told you needed to attend the week long clinic in San Berdoo? That was one of the roadblocks that was given to me, to attend a 60' clinic even though I had been only doing 90' baseball for about 5 years.

grayhawk · August 26, 2014

Some of them are paid to work other levels of ball, and other youth programs, and as such, may never get the call to work higher levels of LL tournament play. To me, this is a great waste of high quality resources. But, LL has drawn their line in the sand, and based on that, they may never get the 'best of the best' umpires from their own organization to Williamsport. They are satisfied with 'the best of the rest', and qualify that with the 'volunteer' tag.

Williamsport doesn't have a prohibition against working games for payment in other organizations. I agree that any district or region with that policy is misguided.

Agreed, which is why I said, "from their own organization", meaning the local league, districts and regions. The DA, and Regional Directors have their own criteria for who they nominate and select for Regional and above tournaments.

I've been told by a few guys half joking, stop going to those nice clinics and go to the cheaper LL ones if you ever want to get past Sectionals. Not that I would go, I still need a lot of work myself, but just asked to see how it's done around here.

I was told to volunteer 25-30 games a year for 10 years and then I MAY have a chance to be nominated by my DA for the West Regional. Not happening.

Were you told you needed to attend the week long clinic in San Berdoo? That was one of the roadblocks that was given to me, to attend a 60' clinic even though I had been only doing 90' baseball for about 5 years.

I think they said that it wasn't a requirement, but that it would be a huge resume builder.

SJA · August 26, 2014

The DA, and Regional Directors have their own criteria for who they nominate and select for Regional and above tournaments.

. . . they call "criteria and nominating" . . . politics.

:-(

blue23ll · August 26, 2014

The DA, and Regional Directors have their own criteria for who they nominate and select for Regional and above tournaments.

. . . they call "criteria and nominating" . . . politics.
:-(

This is sad but true, and once you figure that out you can move on. I chose to move on to FED ball and higher level youth ball. It makes no sense to fight 'city hall'.

Here's one!

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