What is a LL Umpire

[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