Little League

[bluezebra]

Originally Posted by briancurtin

there are probably a lot of little leagues that use parents as umpires.
when i played LL, weekday games were done with one hired umpire and one parent on the bases, usually a dad that would volunteer. weekend games were done with two paid umpires...but i became one of those paid umpires when i was 14 and i only knew a little more than the dads at the time. did those dads know anything other than basic safes and outs? 99% of the time the answer is no. you take what you can get, you get what you pay for...they get no money, they get no rule book. they just do it so their kids can play the game, so thank god they even showed up.

i should have made every other word all capitals...

I always refused to have a Dad work the bases for me. Not knowing even the most basic of rules, they get you into trouble every time. They mean well, but that's not good enough.

Bob

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by bluezebra

I always refused to have a Dad work the bases for me. Not knowing even the most basic of rules, they get you into trouble every time. They mean well, but that's not good enough.

Bob

There is a PONY League here that does it this way:

Mustang League - BU is a coach from Bronco League.

Bronco League - BU is a coach from Pony League.

Pony League - uses 2 real umpires.

These coaches are on a rotation, much in the same fashion as the snack bar ladies and scorekeepers from each team. It's all laid out on a chart so everyone knows when it's their turn.

I've observed some of these guys umpiring, and some of them weren't too bad. When I did this level, I always preferred working alone to having a helper, but at this league, that is not an option.