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[ozzy6900]

Originally posted by spots101
Ya know, every year these 100+ post threads always come up about how poor the umps are at the LLWS. Then it gets personal, usually from T to Rich to Ozzy, etc. etc. etc.

What was it I heard, over 3 million kids play LL each year. That's pretty good for a crappy organization.

Before I moved to AZ I was the scheduler for PONY & H.S. summer ball back in IL. In the park there were 4 diamonds...1 for H.S., 1 for PONY and the other 2 were for Major League. (They all faced outward from each other.) Eventually, the LL prez. approached me to see if I would schedule my umps to do their games. They were fully prepared to pay what we were getting at the other 2 levels.

My point is that I really enjoyed umping those games for 2 main reasons. The parents and coaches were extremely appreciative of 2 things....that they had better quality officiating AND that we helped the kids with basic mechanics, especially pitching. Maybe that's not the norm in some areas but we umped in a small community and for that I really miss it.

I have umped with guys who rung up players swinging at strike three. I can't think of anything that looks more ridiculous than calling the obvious. But for those of you who hate LL then don't watch. I watch it every year when I can and not for the umpiring but for the kids. That's the most important thing.

Wah, wah, wah! It's for the kids! Is that all you people can resort to?

Listen, most of us who bash (as you people put it) LL are talking about the umpires. Yes, the volunteers, the trainees, the "weekenders" or what ever you want to call them. There is no excuse for what we saw this year in the LLWS! The "best" kids were playing and they deserve to be officiated by the best Umpires. Not the hacks that LL assigned there.

I make the claim that LL sucks because I've been on the inside years ago. I saw the BS played by the locals during "all star" season. I've seen the BS pulled by the Regionals and I know for a fact that many kids are left behind that should be there. I've watched too many times good players left aside so that Rat's sons who can't even catch a ball get on the teams. I've seen kids who brought teams all the way to the Regionals and were unable to continue be punished the following year by not being allowed to be on the "all star team". I've seen pitchers that literally won games by themselves put on "B" teams in All Star seasons. Yeah, it's for the kids - Bull $hit!

So if you don't like my rants tough! At least I have valid reasons for what I say. Now I am through with this crap and hope to not answer any more LL BS, crapity crap questions on this or any other board. That should make all of your LL wienies very happy!

Little League Sucks!