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Originally Posted by EAGLE EYE
ACE
I wouldn't group all the LLWS umpires as "shlubs". The Umpire Wed night ILL vs OR (L.B. Vidor TX.) called a great game. Maybe he didn't look like a "pro" but thats because he isn't a pro. Are you?
I will be the first to agree that there are some here who are simply not ready for this level, but not because it's televised and offends you, but because of the obvious magnitude of the games and the desire to eliminate umpire error. Some are better trained by their region or perhaps area association, and some have more experience.
Andy uses the umpires sent by the Regional Directors. When the elimination games begin, he tries to utilize those who have proven themselves the better of the 16. He would like it if all 16 were well trained, knowledgable, and used proper mechanics, but this is usually not the case. I know first hand that there is no favoritism nor politics in his assigning.
I'm sure like you would feel better if LL used Professional Umpires, and while that would seem like a great idea, it wouldn't be long before there would be a LL umpires union. A list of contract demands would be submitted to LL International and before you could say "were in it for the kids" we would have a strike.
NO THANKS.
The truth is that every year there are a few individuals who watch these LL Umpires on national TV and are pi$$ed that it's not them. Your comments wreak of such an individual.
AND THATS THE WAY IT IS. TRUST ME ON THIS!!!
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Eagle Eye,
Step back from the kool aid.
1. To LL's credit, the umpires who worked Regionals this year were, overall, excellent. Most posters here agreed to that assessment and posted such.
2. To LL's shame, they did not use umpires nearly as good at Williamsport. There is no arguing that. You can say it's because "they were simply not ready." But it was obvious that they were simply not as good.
3. Many posters making these obsevations do not work LL and have no intention of working LL and are certainly not pi$$ed about not being at Williamsport.
4. Other posters here have excellent LL credentials and some have worked Regionals. They just don't drink the LL kool aid are able to be subjective.
5. If you can honestly look at tapes of the regionals and tapes of the WS games to this point and claim that LL has placed the best umpire at WS you are no "eagle eye".
6. If you believe that ability is the primary consideration, or even in the top three of considerations for work at WS, it may be too late to save you.
7. I note with interest that on LL's WS Umpire Assignment Policy, it states that the WS director may also "invite" umpires.