Quote:
Originally posted by Tim C
I come from a state that can barely play baseball (because of weather) during the FED season but you can bet a "dollar to a doughnut" that players understand base awards, dead balls, the difference between a FED balk and an OBR balk.
|
Of course a pitcher is going to know the difference between a FED balk and and OBR balk usually. But when I have a pitcher that does not realize he has to stop at a FED varsity game, it is kind of hard to give him and others credit for knowing the differences in great detail. Better yet to have a kid say, "I cannot break up the double play?" when I am umpiring a FED game.
Quote:
Originally posted by Tim C
When I played baseball (so many years ago), through even the professional ranks, there were always players involved in the teams that had a clear, precise, and correct understanding of the rules.
|
Well I do 3 sports. In all of those sports some of the most unknowledgable comments come from players and coaches. One of the reasons coaches in many states are required to take the FED tests too. In football a player at least once a game says to me or one of my partners, "I can hit him on the ground until the whistle is blown." Or when I do a basketball game and the kids say, "is that not over the back ref?" I got another one, "is that not a reach?" Or better yet, the one we always talk about, "doesn't he have to slide?" I have been on this board too long not to here those same comments come from other officials all over the country. So it appears to me that these kids in all sports do not understand, nor try to understand or are ever taught many rules differences by their coaches. But it is not a tragic event for them when they move to other levels to play ball. The same fundamental apply and I am sure they can deal with it. If we can make the transition, I am sure they can. I thought they do that already playing FED Rules in the spring and playing OBR in the summer?
Peace