Fall Ball Sportsmanship

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Ozzy, they do it all the time in spring training games in MLB. They call runners out when they are 2 steps past the base, they expand the strike zone, the don't call balks, etc. They try to speed the games up, especially in the Cactus League, where it's hotter than blazes all the time, and the games are lopsided.

The players and coaches all understand this, and they appreciate the service. These games are scheduled for 9 innings, and there is no mercy rule available. They can't just agree to stop the game, they have to play it out. The only ones who can mercifully speed them up is the umpires.

Holy crap. What complete nonsense. Every single sentence. Complete and utter nonsense.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

Holy crap. What complete nonsense. Every single sentence. Complete and utter nonsense.

I've attended many a spring training game in Yuma when the Padres used to train there, and I'm not the only one who has noticed that what I said actually occurs. I've also heard the broadcasters say the same thing in these games. So, you are saying that you have umpired in spring training games and know better? Didn't know you were a pro, my bad.

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I've attended many a spring training game in Yuma when the Padres used to train there, and I'm not the only one who has noticed that what I said actually occurs. I've also heard the broadcasters say the same thing in these games. So, you are saying that you have umpired in spring training games and know better? Didn't know you were a pro, my bad.

I do an annual spring training vacation, and the last two years have gone to Arizona for (mostly) Rangers games.

It's been my observation for those two years that the weather was damn nice, the games were all reasonably competitive, and the umpires appeared, to me at least, to be doing what they should be doing, i.e., working their own spring training and tuning up for the real deal. I've noticed umpires experimenting with different stances and different mechanics, but I have not observed what I would consider any "mercy" calls to try to Kevork an out-of-hand game.

But I promise I won't get as emotional about our differing viewpoints as ozzy6900 got.

[DG]

Coach of a 13-14 team winning big should not need to ask for a larger zone in a fall ball game for 2 reasons:

1. He can tell his players to be aggressive at the plate and swing at at anything close and if they connect, well sh*t happens.

2. The zone should already be BIG, for both teams equally.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by PWL

If the umpires where this bad, no wonder you thought you could have been a ML umpire.....

Good one. I actually am smiling!