Youth baseball - intentional walks fair?

[Rich]

Originally posted by Jerry
jicecone,
Don't be an idiot.

This thread deals with whether to allow intentional walks at the youth level.

My replies were very specific and referenced rules that have little, if any bearing on the outcome of the game.

If you choose to interpret my comments in any other way, that's certainly your prerogative; but counter-productive to the spirit of this forum.

Jerry

Some of us may think that there's another idiot here and it isn't jicecone.

[Dave Hensley]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser
[B]

Originally posted by Jerry
Some of us may think that there's another idiot here and it isn't jicecone.

No matter, Rich. Jerry doesn't give a rat's **s if anyone agrees with him or not. Hell, he doesn't even agree with himself!

[mick]

[Jerry]

jicecone and others,
When you learn how to officiate; let me know.

Jerry

[DownTownTonyBrown]

I think many of us must be nearing the end of our season and the coaches are getting to us.

It is somewhat entertaining but overall, man, what a waste of time to read.

see ya later!

[Jerry]

Thanks, Tony!

Actually . . . we've just formed the WBUA . . . "Women's Baseball Umpire Association" . . . a national non-profit group concentrating on workshops, seminars, etc. for the up-and-coming AAU sport of "Female Baseball" (NOT SOFTBALL!!!!!). And to officiate games throughout the U.S.

Any interest nationally out there?????


E-Mail me at "[email protected]"

Jerry

[Rich]

Originally posted by Jerry
jicecone and others,
When you learn how to officiate; let me know.

Jerry

How would you possibly know?

[Jerry]

Rich,
My association with the Roders, Rowe's, Reed's and MLB.

And yours?

Jerry

[Rich]

Originally posted by Jerry
Rich,
My association with the Roders, Rowe's, Reed's and MLB.

And yours?

Jerry

Namedropping means nothing to me. And most people that associate with professionals act like a professional in public. You act alike an arrogant a$$.

[Jerry]

Rich,
You're the one that asked the question!!!

Name-dropping has nothing to do with it. Should I have answered differently?

Jerry

[Kaliix]

Originally posted by Jerry
Rich,
I have to agree with you. Our job as officials is to administer the rules as they're written. That's all.

If we don't like the rule . . . who cares? We may have to sympathize; but that's as far as it can go.
Jerry

When you write the above, you are stating that the umpires job is to enforce the regulations that are on the book, even if we don't like them.

How then, can you, in the very next sentence state "I have "overruled" the rules in some youth leagues; as far as having to pitch four times. It doesn't make any sense in time-limit games." The two sentences are in opposition to each other.

Either we enforce the rules that are written (like 'em or not) or we don't enforce the rules as written.

Intentional walks make sense in a timed game. They make sense because you should have to throw the ball to the plate four times. I just watched ESPN this morning and a major league pitcher threw a ball to the backstop on an intentional walk once and except for terrific athletic play by his catcher, nearly twice. If you can't execute the play, you get the resultant penalty of a wild pitch.

In a timed game, there is now also a time penalty that the coach has to consider if he decides to intentionally walk a player. If the team runs out of time in the end, then take you accept your penalty and go home. Besides, you would have to incur atleast the same amount of time to pitch to the kid. That takes time too. So by just giving the player a base with out pitching to him, you are giving them time they wouldn't have had. That's not right

In the end, we as umpires try to enforce the rules as best we can. We don't get to pick and choose what rules to enforce. It is not our job. If you don't like the rule, petition to whomever you have to to change it. Change 'em yourself and you open up a whole can of worms by doing that.

[Dave Hensley]

Originally posted by Jerry
Rich,
My association with the Roders, Rowe's, Reed's and MLB.

And yours?

Jerry

Are you an umpire, or an umpire groupie?

[GarthB]

Originally posted by Jerry
Rich,
My association with the Roders, Rowe's, Reed's and MLB.

And yours?

Jerry

And would you favor us mere mortals by telling us exactly what this relatioship is?

[polyck]

From JRutledge:
For one, most kids cannot turn a double play in the first place. This can be a hard thing for even some HS teams at times.

Hate to be one to disagree..I would have agreed with you if I hadn't witnessed it myself...Not only does this group of players turn double plays but two weeks ago this kids team executed an amazing triple play! I have to say it was handled with ease and control you would have never thought they were just kids..

[polyck]

I don't recall who responded with "kids should be give tennis rackets...." - but wasn't that comment a bit out of line..

I do appreciate those of you who submitted opinions as it related to my question. But some of the comments and opinions were harsh and frankly down right cruel. The fact that some of these kids put everything they have into the game of baseball and for someone to invalidate what they bring to the game is sad...Whether the player's age is 11 or 40 all they want is an umpire who is fair and consistent. The players at this level don't get paid, but they know the umpires do so give em' break.

have a great weekend and don't forget if you are officiating this weekend it's just a game to the players and they're out there for the thrill not the money.