[Tim C]

For all you Conspiracy Theorists:

It has always been my position that LL picks EXACTLY the umpires they want for the World Series.

IF the LL board selected four college umpires (that also work LL, such as Rich Fronhesier that posts to this Forum) and they did a GREAT job it would impact LL by many of the 100,000 volunteer umpires recognizing how bad they are.

This, in turn, would say to those umpires: "Well no matter how hard I work for a hotdog and a coke I'll never be able to work the highest quality games -- those at the LLWS."

With the way things are done now the same umpire can think: "Gees, these guys are horrible -- if I just offer to do this for 22 more years I am bound to get my chance at the big time!"

In all seriousness:

The administration of the LLWS either:

1) Does not know good (or bad) umpiring when they see it,

2) Place senority over all else when making selections,

3) Reward certain areas of the US for being loyal scouts or,

4) Allows the political side of LL to overwhelmingly influence the selection process.

So all you LL Kool-aide drinkers do you really think:

a) All obvious foul balls should be called out loud,

b) That plate umpires should to EACH hitter say, "Batter -up",

c) That you really need a game where ALL SIX umpires have indiclickercounters,

d) That after each have inning (or after every play when involved) a base needs brushing.

e) Let's digress to c): could there be any small diamond game that "needs" six umpires?

This all leaves LL up to great lanes of criticism.

Rightfully so I might add.

T