[NM FP Ump]

I agree with your assessment of LLWS Umpires. The tournament directors seem to want the umpires to entertain the fans during the innings, which is not the job of the umpires. That's the time for the fans to go to the snack bar or the bathroom. No "YMCA" dances, no "Chicken Dance" and no "Hokey-Pokey."

And have you noticed the fastpitch “strike” mechanic during the LLWS? And the baseball “strike” mechanic during the regional fastpitch LL games? I wish umpires would learn to chose their mechanics depending upon the game they umpire.

It’s all good to have fun with the parents, kids and coaches before or after a game, but during the game an umpire has a job to do, and so do the kids and the coaches. But if I was working a national/world series tournament, I surely wouldn’t fraternize with the players/coaches/parents. (I can hear the replies now: “Neither would I, and stop calling me Shirley.)