LLWS wajke me when its over!

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by GarthB

For some of us who don't live in areas with a lot of LL this is the first opportunity to see the product.

So I'll add to the challenge. Spend a bunch of time with local leagues (plural) - that's the real "product".

How can you adequately judge the program without spending time withi it?

Was your bad rental car bad because of the manufacturer or the rental company? What were your criteria and what did it fail to meet? Did your criteria match the class of car you rented?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Mike L

For some guys who often state you wouldn't give LL a second thought during the season, they sure seem to spend a lot of time *****ing about it now.

This is after all a discussion board. People can discuss everything and anything that can be seen. Also all the games are on National TV. There is a lot to talk about just like MLB games are talked about.

Peace

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

..but LL baseball is definitely not just kids playing a game. Nothing that gets broadcast by major networks is just kids playing a game.

If you want to see kids just playing a game walk over to your local sandlot, or empty lot, or park or school or whatever and watch those kids playing ball without adults managing their every move.

Where? They don't do this anywhere I have recently lived, sadly.

LL is both kids playing and kids playing for LL. It's a solid business model and they have a history of making it work on both levels, the business of baseball and the delivery of the infrastructure that makes baseball possible at the local level.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

cant wport spend a few of thier bigbucks contract to find a overal better quality of umpire?

They could. They choose not to. Those who have spent a lot of time in LL understand and accept it. It's part of the overall LL scheme of things.

It's called VOLUNTEER.

Maybe they could hire Angel Hernandez. From what I read here and elsewhere, he has a stellar reputation. None better.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Maybe they could hire Angel Hernandez. From what I read here and elsewhere, he has a stellar reputation. None better.

I would call an umpire that works in the Major Leagues as having a much better reputation as some guy we have never heard of and probably would not work a JV game.

Peace

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

You were there to watch one game? And this makes you an informed observer?

Actually I have far more experience with W'port than most, but I'm not commenting on LL or W'port at all.

You know that of course, but honestly addressing my point will only lead to you saying I'm right.

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by Mike L

For some guys who often state you wouldn't give LL a second thought during the season, they sure seem to spend a lot of time *****ing about it now.

I don't call it, haven't called much of it (by %), don't much care for it and the pay sucks. It's baseball so I discuss it, others are interested in LL so it interests me to see why.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by Mike L

For some guys who often state you wouldn't give LL a second thought during the season, they sure seem to spend a lot of time *****ing about it now.

Well, I do a heckuva lot of it during the regular season, serve on our district staff and I have worked regionals and I'm waiting for my WS now. Does that give me the right?

I don't give much of a thought to MLB either but I can sure discuss it - can't I?

[PeteBooth]

I guess LL should hire off-duty or retired MLB umpires to umpire an amateur game between 12-year-old (league age) kids that are under the direction of volunteer coaching staffs composed of Dads who were willing to give their time. We can get (I know he's gone) Eric Gregg and his truck-sized strike zone to handle the plate, Rich Garcia (Maier-man) to call fan interference, and Don Denkinger to make the calls at first. We can get the recent crew from Boston to make HR vs. Double calls. Heaven knows those pros never make mistakes like those Bozo LL umpires. How about Ron Luciano (also gone) and his theatric calls, or Dutch Rennert and his strike call. Those were certainly not worthy of a professional ump - OH WAIT - they were professional umpires. If we can't get the pros, maybe we can get the guys that called this year's NCAA CWS. Those opposite-batter's-box strikes were certainly interesting - even Tee commented on them.

Rich my main comment is this:

I believe most of us gave koodos over the previous 2 years for the umpires at the Regionals and ultimately LLWS.

This year and I would think you would admit the umpiring has been sub-par to say the least

Therefore, what happened from the previous 2 years in which we saw good quality umpiring to this year?

The following is a pure guess on my part.

Perhaps some of the umpires selected during the past 2 years also did "other" ball even some NCAA Division I level ball. Perhaps Word got around that when Tournament time approached - The "heavy weights" would be chosen which would leave out the dedicated volunteers who yearned for a shot at a Regional or LLWS game.

Again strictly a guess but it does seem strange that the quality from the previous 2 years has gone down hill. "something" had to change

Pete Booth

[Rich Ives]

Not sure Pete - but it actually seems like the bashing has decreased over the years.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Not sure Pete - but it actually seems like the bashing has decreased over the years.

It has probably decreased because the mechanics and procedures have gotten better. But when you put anything on national TV, people will comment on it right or wrong.

Peace

[Mike L]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

Well, I do a heckuva lot of it during the regular season, serve on our district staff and I have worked regionals and I'm waiting for my WS now. Does that give me the right?

I don't give much of a thought to MLB either but I can sure discuss it - can't I?

Apparently some people have a really hard time grasping the concept of what was said. Considering the source of some of those comments, I'm not surprised. Try re-reading the original post and see just how it would not apply to you (maybe).

[ChucktownBlue]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

LL greed + ESPN + TV $$$$ + frosted flakes $$$$ + silly offfield intervs and TV pieces straigt from "MTV'=

Actually, it's ESPN who pursued the contract initially, and its expansion, not LL.

I wonder if coaches have a forum where they sit around and criticize everything those volunteer coaches do. Perhaps LL can start paying coaches in order to get "higher quality" coaches out there too.

[UmpLarryJohnson]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

They could. They choose not to. Those who have spent a lot of time in LL understand and accept it. It's part of the overall LL scheme of things.

yah, well, the same could be said for the CDreamPark ripoff, but umps who laff at that mess just LUV how w-port does bisiness. go figure.


you just said it:

"we could make it beter, we have the money to do so, the kids deserve beter umpiring....but..we just deliberately choose to display a inferoir product. and those who are shafted are used to it and it dont hurt so bad now"

thanks for proving my point!

[UmpLarryJohnson]

Originally Posted by ChucktownBlue

Actually, it's ESPN who pursued the contract initially, and its expansion, not LL.

ah its the johns fault, not the streetwalker, huh? puh-leeze. where was the gun forcing LL to take the money?


beside you miss the POINT: its OK! that LL takes the money!!! but USE the money to IMPROVE the PRODUCT! why is that so hard to grasp?

I wonder if coaches have a forum where they sit around and criticize everything those volunteer coaches do. Perhaps LL can start paying coaches in order to get "higher quality" coaches out there too.

who give a fig about the coaches? why dont you FIND that forum and report back?

OMG you are funny. COACHES are there to WIN (ie bend rules, lie, bushleauge, etc). they are EXPECTED to act like ninnys sometimes if it gives them the advantage. Its only worse in degree now cause they are wearing mikes and we have to hear thier blather like 'foul off the bender, johhny' and 'give em the gas, petey'

UMPIRES are supposed to be EXCELLENT and NEUTRAL. I would say that MILLION-dollar TV contracts = the best umpires you can find!

LL would rather pocket those few bux to reward the 'sandlot lifer' and thats whats sad. GOOD sandlot lifer = come to wport! LOUSY sandlot lifer = stay home!