Missing Little League thread

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by Carl Childress

Tee: What a lot of nonsense!

Anybody can call a swing - from anywhere. It's the close, maybe yes, maybe no, swing that needs an angle, perspective.

And there's your guideline for making the call - if it's an obvious swing, then whoop, there it is, yes he went. Anything else, any doubt at all, then no, he didn't go.

Surprising though it may be, this is happening on high school and summer league fields every day, everywhere (perhaps with the exception of the Rio Grande Valley) without incident. The only problems occur in those increasingly rare occasions in which some dinosaur comes running out screaming about how you can't make that call and everybody knows that.

Good Lord. I suggest that the pick-off at first is easier to call from C because the umpire can get a better angle. Everybody goes ballistic.

I suggest there's no angle. Three big dogs goes ballistic.

Amazing!

I appreciate the compliment, but I don't think anybody (at least nobody on my side of the argument) is going ballistic.

You didn't reply to my question about the PBUC position on this issue. Do you disagree that the statement I cited clearly provides for the possibility of an umpire going for help to the third base umpire when he's in C position? Can you tell me where there is documented support for your claim that PBUC instructs its umpires to NEVER go to a partner in B or C position for help on a checked swing?

[Lawrence.Dorsey]

I'd have to say that I am in the camp that says you can get a check swing in C. But, I can't think of a handful of times I've called it from there. It is isn't that I am chicken, it's just that I have to be sure I thought he made an attempt to go. My opinion is that HS Varsity players, and below, don't generate near the amount of bat speed that NCAA and players above create. Therefore, it's easier for them to check their swing than someone who commits a great deal of force to a swing prior to releasing the bat through the hitting zone. My rule of thumb from C (or b) is this, and admittly could be archaic, but if I read the trademark on the bat, then he went. I've actually had a couple that I would have called that never were appealed to me.

Lawrence

[SanDiegoSteve]

No time for a lengthy reply, I have a wedding to attend. I'm solidly with the big dogs on this one. Woof! Sorry Carl, B or C just fine with me. It is the intent we are judging, and you can see that from just about anywhere.

[ctblu40]

I have to also agree with the big dogs here, I can tell if the batter made an attempt to hit a pitch from B or C. The problem I think many have is that they're relying on guidlines such as bat crossing the plate, turning the wrists, and others to make this call. It's simple, if I think he offered-->he did!

Any argument you get on this type of call should be shortlived once you tell skip that he is not to argue balls and strikes anymore.

BTW- The PBUC mechanic on this has changed. In a 3 man crew, PU is to ask for help with the umpire stationed on the line. This change was implemented either last season or the season before.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by PWL

If I'm working with a base ump with something on the ball and I know the batter DIDN'T go, a simple "NO, HE DIDN'T GO DID HE?" Signal safe, satisfies the barking dogs and makes me happy. If he gives the strike, they bark at my partner. Win, win situation.

Sounds like the mid-80s old-timer and his secret signals. No thanks.

Again, all that's important is intent. I won't hesitate to ring one up from the middle and I will ALWAYS ask my partner, regardless of the rule set. If he rings it up, it's another strike. We like strikes.

I'm surprised at Carl -- his mechanics for the 21st century are quite forward-thinking and his thinking on this issue is stuck somewhere in the seventies.

[LMan]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Again, all that's important is intent. I won't hesitate to ring one up from the middle and I will ALWAYS ask my partner, regardless of the rule set. If he rings it up, it's another strike. We like strikes.

I can't imagine why any PU would not want another strike, plus the 'burden' is now on the BU to do it. As a PU, what's not to like?