Little League umpire in the regionals

[CJN]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Last night rather than watching the LLWS I tuned to the Cal Ripkin 12U game between Mexico/Canada.

The plate umpire was far superior to any umpire I have EVER seen at the LLWS.

BTW: Cal Ripkin 12U is the ONLY organized National baseball program (for children) that has shown GROWTH in numbers over the past three years.

Little League (tm) should start to be concerned.

I watched a little of the Cal Ripken WS and I saw Cal Ripken, Jr. talking about how starting next year CR will be going to 50 foot pitching and 70 foot bases in the 12u division. I don't know what those here think of that, but it sounds pretty good when you see 60.5 equivalents of 107 mph.

[midtnblu]

LL league will have to do something. Watch today's game with Georgia (1:00 EST). If Kyle Carter pitches, you will see 80+ on the gun. Almost unhittable from 46 feet. 105mph + from 60'6".

As a coach/father of a team that competed in the SE regional, IMO, it won't be long before LL starts to resemble fastpitch softball (pitching dominated with lots of 1-0 games).

Cal Ripken's got it right. The field needs to grow as the player grows.

Also, what you are witnessing is a lot players (or in some cases complete teams, ours included) coming back to LL after playing travel *REAL* baseball (duck). They get out of LL because the local leagues are not competitive anymore and they get back in it for their final year of eligibility to give it one last shot. And with the age change effective this year, alot of these kids have been 13 for a while. Way too big for the LL field.