Quote:
Originally posted by spots101
Ya know, every year these 100+ post threads always come up about how poor the umps are at the LLWS. Then it gets personal, usually from T to Rich to Ozzy, etc. etc. etc.
What was it I heard, over 3 million kids play LL each year. That's pretty good for a crappy organization.
Before I moved to AZ I was the scheduler for PONY & H.S. summer ball back in IL. In the park there were 4 diamonds...1 for H.S., 1 for PONY and the other 2 were for Major League. (They all faced outward from each other.) Eventually, the LL prez. approached me to see if I would schedule my umps to do their games. They were fully prepared to pay what we were getting at the other 2 levels.
My point is that I really enjoyed umping those games for 2 main reasons. The parents and coaches were extremely appreciative of 2 things....that they had better quality officiating AND that we helped the kids with basic mechanics, especially pitching. Maybe that's not the norm in some areas but we umped in a small community and for that I really miss it.
I have umped with guys who rung up players swinging at strike three. I can't think of anything that looks more ridiculous than calling the obvious. But for those of you who hate LL then don't watch. I watch it every year when I can and not for the umpiring but for the kids. That's the most important thing.
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Sorry but I get tired of everyone putting the same stamp on youth league sports.
Everyone from LL, Dixie, Pony, Babe Ruth, Cal Ripken, and I'm sure there are many many others just in baseball and then you have football and basketball leagues that are just as competative - and they all say the same thing ...
its for the kids
I'm sorry to rebutt but I started umpiring when I was 14 years old. They needed umpires for the inaugural T-ball leagues - this was back in 1974.
NOw, I'm sure it helped the kids to have an umpire (I was the only one) but I started learning rules and started getting experience etc., but I did it because they paid me to do it.
Now 31 years later, I love to umpire baseball, I love to be around the kids, (now I have fellow umpires who played T-ball in that first league), but I still umpire because they pay me to umpire.
LL might pride itself for volunteer umpires, but they have some serious shortfalls when it comes to their tournaments, not only umpires and from what I've read teams that qualify for their tournaments.
It doesn't take long to watch just a little of the LL on TV to see that, and having been associated with baseball as long as I have to know there are tremendous politics involved in the final product that is showcased for much much $$$$$.
Thanks
David
[Edited by David B on Aug 27th, 2005 at 10:28 AM]