LLWS wajke me when its over!

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Aren't these six inning games? If so, that would make eight of them excessive in length.



What does that have to do with the length of games? Are they showing the kids sleeping?



I see. So there's no room for improvement. Just take it or leave it? Maybe that should be LL's motto.

Excessive? Take out the commercials and no - not excessive. Heck, they won't even let the defense take the field between innings until TV says it's ready.

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.

I have a challenge for you Garth. Spend the 10 days at Williamsport for the series. Interview anyone you please about the whole event. Wander around and observe and talk to the players, coaches, families, umpires, the volunteers staffing the event, and the just plain fans that come for the event. Then come back here and write about the experience. Heck, meet me there for one of the days and I'll make a contribution to your expenses before I even know how you're reacting. Or not. I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm trying to buy you off.

Little League isn't professional baseball. It isn't college or high school baseball. It isn't middle school baseball. It isn't meant to be. Enjoy it for what it is - kids playing a game.

[UmpLarryJohnson]

you cant have it both ways mr Ives...the 'kids playn a game' does NOT square w corporete sponsorship--ESPN---idiotic frosted flakes crap every 45 secs, blubbery 'mom intervs' in the stands, on n on......if LLBB is gonna TAKE the PAYOLA from the corporate/media and make it a SPECTACLE.....


then they GOTTA refine out the 'kiddie sandlot' excuses! STOP the coaches' posturing! STOP the weak umpiring that wouldnt pass mustard at the JayVee level! Saw a game yest where a flyball down the First baseline landded ON the line as was called FOUL...by the RFUmp who was literaly 15 feet away! why do they put 6 Umps on the field if they cant make THIS call?

the booth guys replayed it 4 times and said live, "uuurrr...weeellll, lets remeber theyre volunteers, folks!"


LL WANTS to be paid--televised as if they are BIG TIME...but judged on thier merits as if it is SMALL TIME. Make up your mind!

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

you cant have it both ways mr Ives...the 'kids playn a game' does NOT square w corporete sponsorship--ESPN---idiotic frosted flakes crap every 45 secs, blubbery 'mom intervs' in the stands, on n on......if LLBB is gonna TAKE the PAYOLA from the corporate/media and make it a SPECTACLE.....


then they GOTTA refine out the 'kiddie sandlot' excuses! STOP the coaches' posturing! STOP the weak umpiring that wouldnt pass mustard at the JayVee level! Saw a game yest where a flyball down the First baseline landded ON the line as was called FOUL...by the RFUmp who was literaly 15 feet away! why do they put 6 Umps on the field if they cant make THIS call?

the booth guys replayed it 4 times and said live, "uuurrr...weeellll, lets remeber theyre volunteers, folks!"


LL WANTS to be paid--televised as if they are BIG TIME...but judged on thier merits as if it is SMALL TIME. Make up your mind!

It's 12 yrar old kids playing. They have neither the physical or mental baseball skills to make it a "pro" game.

The coacing staffs aren't trained coaches. They are volunteer dads doing as best they can.

The umpires have paid their LL dues. They "earned" their way there just as much as the players and coaches.

It's Little League - not the major leagues. Keep it in perspective.

BTW, I've seen MANY blown fair/foul calls by MLB umpires. The call wasn't blown because the umpire was a LL umpire - it was blown because it was blown.

And its muster - not mustard.

[aceholleran]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

The umpires have paid their LL dues. They "earned" their way there just as much as the players and coaches.

Tell me how officials of this poor quality have "earned" anything. Please.

These are rewards for the Old Uncle Bumpses of the world. Please don't tell me that these umps are handpicked by experts as the best of the best.

I wouldn't let half of these smitties near a 9-year-old game in my neck of the woods, nape of the way.

Harummpf.

Ace

[mbyron]

Yar, you tell 'im, Ace!

[Carbide Keyman]

Originally Posted by aceholleran

Tell me how officials of this poor quality have "earned" anything. Please.

These are rewards for the Old Uncle Bumpses of the world. Please don't tell me that these umps are handpicked by experts as the best of the best.

I wouldn't let half of these smitties near a 9-year-old game in my neck of the woods, nape of the way.

Harummpf.

Ace

But Ace, how do you really feel ????

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by aceholleran

Tell me how officials of this poor quality have "earned" anything. Please.

These are rewards for the Old Uncle Bumpses of the world. Please don't tell me that these umps are handpicked by experts as the best of the best.

I wouldn't let half of these smitties near a 9-year-old game in my neck of the woods, nape of the way.

Harummpf.

Ace

Wouldst thou be the same Ace Holleran that posts on the Yahoo LLumires group?

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by aceholleran

Tell me how officials of this poor quality have "earned" anything. Please.

These are rewards for the Old Uncle Bumpses of the world. Please don't tell me that these umps are handpicked by experts as the best of the best.

I wouldn't let half of these smitties near a 9-year-old game in my neck of the woods, nape of the way.

Harummpf.

Ace

"Earn" is a pliable word in the world of LL, Ace.

Teams earn their way to the LLWS by their performance on the field, proving their talent, besting opponents and winning their way.

Some umpires earn their way by their record of volunteering, serving on BOD's, shmoozing regional directors and "getting along" with coaches.

In some enlighted areas, ability and quality of performance are figured in. Last year the overall quality of the umpires at LLWS had improved for the second year in a row. (Indeed, the criticisms on the internet boards that were prevalent years ago nearly disappeared.) That led many to believe that the organization had finally realized that the umpires needed to be as good as the teams.

Alas, the improvement was short-lived, and while there are a few trained excellent umpires in attendance this year, the over all quality level is back to where it was five years ago.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Wow, that Williams kid from Texas can sure pitch!!!

Maybe the Baltimore Orioles should sign him right now.

[SanDiegoSteve]

And just what is up with the Japanese catcher? Every pitch called a ball he is either questioning the umpire or asking for a check swing, even when the batter doesn't even move the bat. He would be rubbing me the wrong way, for sure. I might have a little talk with his coach and interpreter.

[UmpLarryJohnson]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Maybe the Baltimore Orioles should sign him right now.

nah no pt in scarring him for life is there???

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

STOP the weak umpiring that wouldnt pass mustard at the JayVee level! Saw a game yest where a flyball down the First baseline landded ON the line as was called FOUL...by the RFUmp who was literaly 15 feet away! why do they put 6 Umps on the field if they cant make THIS call?

the booth guys replayed it 4 times and said live, "uuurrr...weeellll, lets remeber theyre volunteers, folks!" !

To be completely fair the play you just described was very, very close. The umpire was standing right on the line and there was not a single angle that showed a conclusive shot. None of the camera angles were directly on the line and the umpire was about 10 or 15 feet away from the call right on the line. I still have no idea if the call was right. I just know he was in great position to know. And as said earlier, if an umpire cannot get that call right then he has much bigger problems. I just think if we are criticizing an umpire for this, we really should pause for a second and think what we would say if that was us on the field. And when an official is right there to make a call and the video does not confirm the call or show the call was clearly wrong, in my opinion we should give that umpire/official the benefit of the doubt.

Peace

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Little League isn't professional baseball. It isn't college or high school baseball. It isn't middle school baseball. It isn't meant to be. Enjoy it for what it is - kids playing a game.

Nice post, very eloquent...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.

edit to say add that UmpLarryJohnson is one smart guy.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Nice post, very eloquent...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.

edit to say add that UmpLarryJohnson is one smart guy.

We won't need any of us on the sandlot - coaches or umpires.

I offer you the same challenge I offered Garth.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

We won't need any of us on the sandlot - coaches or umpires.

I offer you the same challenge I offered Garth.

I've been up to W'port a few times, once dropping off then picking up my son at their camp and once to see a game (as an unbiased observer). No need for me to go back there for the purposes of this discussion.

Of course none of that has anything to do with the fact that a huge multi-national corporation is driving every aspect of everything and anything that has to do with baseball. Do the kids get to use the pool and get their hot dogs for lunch during down time? Sure. But at game time, at this time of year, it is NOT just kids playing a game.