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I think that part of the problem we saw at the LLWS this years is the lack of experience that some of the umpires have with pressure situations and major level games. Not many of us work before thousands of fans and a national television audience.
LL could easily eliminate most of the suprises they had with umpires, and keep their precious volunteer policy intact if they feel the need.
They should begin putting a pool together of competent experienced umpires very early in the season and have an evaluator visit each one several times a year. Surely they have the money for a quality control program.
The umpires in this pool would be assigned major tournaments and used in regional play-offs. Those who performed the best would be moved up to the LLWS program at the end of the year.
While there will always be some mistakes made, this would reduce their number greatly.
It would also remove SOME of the politics we have now with regions recommending umpires.
The
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