[ILRef80]

I'll try to keep this as short as possible.

My brother's co-worker's husband is the president of a local youth baseball league. The league is made up of kids who, for the most part, have very few baseball skills. They really needed umpires and I agreed to do a few games, here and there. Well, I've now worked 3 games for this league and it's killing me. I work alone, and I'm having real issues trying to keep the game moving as well as trying to keep the catcher on task. I only agreed to work the oldest level they have (which is 11U) and the biggest problem I have are the catchers. They simply cannot catch the baseball. Granted, the pitchers aren't throwing very hard (40-50MPH), but I'm essentially a sitting target back there. I would say that over 90% of the pitches go to the backstop. Last night, I worked two games and got hit ~ 25 times, including several shots to the mask and thighs. I don't know what else to do. I can't understate the fact that the catchers never catch the ball. Then, they throw their mask off, walk back to get the ball, toss it underhand to the pitcher...you get the idea.

Further, between innings, it takes the catchers ~ 5 min. to get their shin guards and chest protectors on, I don't see why it takes that long with the help of an adult, but it does. They have their own seperate rules and there is nothing about penalizing a team for delaying the game.

I'm just frustrated and needed to get this out to those who might understand. Luckily, I'm only doing this every couple of weeks and I only have 2 games left to work, but it's torture out there.