What is a LL Umpire

[LMan]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Why the hell do so many people spell Ripken's name wrong?

I dunno, but I've seen that mistake at least 2,131 straight times

[aceholleran]

Originally Posted by Dave Hensley

The schools are turning out better and better tournament umpires, as confirmed by what most observers would agree is a gradual improvement in the quality of the umpires working the TV games in each of the last several years. But that's where it ends - the LL TV umpires are the window dressing of a program that still, at the local level, is dominated by guys with backward caps and shinguards on the outside of their jeans.

It's sad that such a great opportunity has been largely squandered.

I know a guy who's doing a regional this year who is borderline competent.

Dave's sooo right about the "backward cap and jeans."

I know a handful of LL umps (who also work HS, Legion and above). None of them are willing to go through the system to get a bigger job in LL.

The "volunteer" system eventually convinces good up-and-coming umps to take their trade elsewhere.

I know a way to fix this, but it would involve paying umpire evaluators, something LL will never do.

Ace

[ctblu40]

When I first started umpiring, I started in Little League. My first time carrying the stick, my first time hearing, "C'mon ump!" from the bleachers, my first time beating myself up over a blown call, and my first ejection (which was particularly sweet because I was 16 years old and ran the manager a.k.a. my father ), all happened in Little League.

That being said, when I began my obsession with umpiring and put the time and effort into moving up the ladder, Little League slowly faded into my rearview mirror. I still "volunteer" every spring in my local league. I used to attend the district "umpire" meetings/training sessions. I've even held rules and mechanics clinics for the local league with minimal participation from the group of guys who work the most local games.
Come district tournament time, I always contacted the district UIC and informed him of my willingness to work these games (for free). The only restriction I placed on my availability was that he contact me with dates 2 weeks in advance so that I could schedule my HS and NCAA games around LL because I didn't want to turn back these games, pay a fine and pi$$ off my assignors. In 4 years , I was contacted exactly 1 time to work a game in the district tournament. The call came around 3:00 for a 5:00 game. I already had a game scheduled that night, and graciously declined. His response was, "You said you were available, and now all of a sudden you're not?" It was obvious that he was calling me as a last ditch effort to have the game covered.

I no longer contact Little League and beg to help out. If they call me and I'm available, I'll do almost anything to lend them a hand. But, unfortunately, they're not interested, so why should I keep knocking on their door?

[aceholleran]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

In 4 years , I was contacted exactly 1 time to work a game in the district tournament. The call came around 3:00 for a 5:00 game. I already had a game scheduled that night, and graciously declined. His response was, "You said you were available, and now all of a sudden you're not?" It was obvious that he was calling me as a last ditch effort to have the game covered.

I take it that you're from Connecticut. I probably know the LL assignor. Basically, I'm guessing he knows you have "up the ladder" experience ... ergo, he is afraid. He'll keep putting his same old guys in the same old slots.

Please contact me directly, and we'll do a District 2 game together ... with plenty of notice.

Ace

[cmckenna]

Originally Posted by aceholleran

I take it that you're from Connecticut. I probably know the LL assignor. Basically, I'm guessing he knows you have "up the ladder" experience ... ergo, he is afraid. He'll keep putting his same old guys in the same old slots.

Please contact me directly, and we'll do a District 2 game together ... with plenty of notice.

Ace

You can both come up to District 6 if you would like. I worked several games with the same guys (all quality HS and above umps - one even spent several seasons doing single and double A ball) because we did not have enough coverage. Even did a sectional with the same guys...

[LilLeaguer]

Originally Posted by Dave Hensley

I may not be able to capture the essence of the Little League umpire, but in the immortal words of the late Justice Potter Stewart, "I know it when I see it."

The serious comment I wanted to make about the LL umpire program, and what I see as its greatest failing, is its orientation towards pushing the select few up through the ranks to make it to state, regionals and the holy grail, the LLWS. LL has done a great thing in establishing regional umpire schools in each of its 8 US regions, but the schools have largely turned into inbred good-ol-boy fraternities of instructors and their small cliques of repeat students, geared primarily towards organizing the postseason assignment career ladders of those chosen few. What the schools SHOULD be turning out are certified Little League umpire clinicians - guys who are trained and qualified and equipped to go back to their local leagues and lead the development of a REAL umpire program at their local and district level.

The schools are turning out better and better tournament umpires, as confirmed by what most observers would agree is a gradual improvement in the quality of the umpires working the TV games in each of the last several years. But that's where it ends - the LL TV umpires are the window dressing of a program that still, at the local level, is dominated by guys with backward caps and shinguards on the outside of their jeans.

It's sad that such a great opportunity has been largely squandered.

(This whole thread has been very good, by the way. Thanks for all of the insight.)

I haven't been to San Bernadino yet, but I'm going to make the effort this winter. I have very little interest in pursuing an advanced post season career in LL, but I do want to bring back the best training techniques, rules knowledge, and enthusiasm I can for my league and district.

In any case, I haven't been exposed much to the post season past the state level. I have seen a fair amount of energy at my district in grass-roots umpire training (and no energy around regional politics), but it's disappointing to hear that others have a different experience, and that the top-level politics might be distracting those folks from driving improvement at the local levels.

[ozzy6900]

You really don't want my opinion on the LL umpire! The last time I gave that opinion, it almost shut down the forum.

Let's just say that I can say that LL umpires suck - I was one over twenty five years ago, and I sucked! The difference is, I grew out of it and I studied hard. I still suck as some coaches may say, but they don't finish the game - I do!

[Rcichon]

We all had to start somewhere. LL usually provides this opportunity. Usually people find out just how difficult it is to be an Official and just fade into obscurity, leaving an enormous gap for mediocre Umpires to flourish or fester.

Still, I am grateful for two things:

LL for providing the opportunity to enter officiating and

Forums such as this where I have learned about the abstracts in officiating AND how to further my knowledge in 'other associations'.

[PABlue]

Heck I will do ANY kind of ball! I love being on the field watching baseball. So I do everything from LL to CR,BR,legion,Fed and softball.
Are games at the higher divisions better? Sometimes yes sometimes no but it's still baseball and it's still better then a day at work. LOL

[tjones1]

Speaking of Little League....

Little League looking at pitch count limits
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5863548?FSO1&ATT=HMA

My personal opinion..... it's about time!

[UMP25]

tj, LL Baseball already incorporated this into their rules efective this year. LL pitchers have pitch counts they must follow if their league chooses to follow the rule. The big thing about all this is just how that's to be enforced. I can't see how the umpires will be involved, for it'd have to be the responsibility of the managers and individual league officials.