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Went to a PONY Qualifier this afternoon. The TD decided to use a group of baseball umpires from the neighboring State rather than our local ASA Umpires because he could save $10 per ump. I was approached by 3 different coaches who recognized me about how terrible the umps were. Some were 15 and 16 years old. For a qualifier! One ump told me he just registered with PONY on line 2 days before the tourney.

I observed a lot of poor and inconsistent strike zones and some questionable calls, but the semifinals became a real problem. Score tied 2-2, they go to the tiebreaker. Top of the 13th inning, visitors have bases loaded, no outs. Grounder hit up the middle, glances off of F1’s foot, F6 charges the ball and is run into by R2 going from 2nd to 3rd. NO CALL! Ball rolls into outfield. R1 scores and then R2 is thrown out at the plate trying to score from 2B. Offensive coaches are screaming OBS and defensive coaches are screaming for interference.

The 4 umps (yes 4!) confer for about 4-5 minutes when the UIC comes onto the field. He rules that it was interference, F2 is out, runners return to last base occupied AND the BR is out for a double play, two outs on one interference call

TD is called on protest. He won’t overrule umps. 3 coaches get tossed. I bet that TD wishes he spent the extra $10.