LLWS wajke me when its over!
 

hada LLWS "marathon' at larry's house this weekend and 2 things jumped out at me--

1. can LLWS do anything about al the rideculous number of coaches Conferences?? for a while there coaches were coming outto talk to Pitch after EVERY HIT/Batter! OMG let the kid throw the ball howboutit. then the offense wants to chat to Batter after every SWING. (or so it seems)

even the booth guys were fussin after a while--turning a 6=inning game into a 3hour endurance contest!

cut out the confabs, LL! best speedup rule ever

then

2. the Coaches comin over every inning to check Pitch counts..zzzzzz....isnt there a beter way to relay this? cant they put it on the scoareboard or something? i know its imp to track the new rule but the delays are intermmninable!

Yes, there seem to be too many conferences.

TV commercial breaks between innings and on pitching changes are adding a lot of time to the games. I'd estimate 15-20 minutes.

Game times so far (from box scores):

2:13, 2:43, 2:01, 2:08, 2:15, 1:55, 2:45, 1:56, 2:06, 2:03, 1:59, 1:41, 1:38, 1:29. Only two really excessive.

And remember, it's not just a tournament, it's also a pagent and a sleep-over adventure camp.

There's also the channel change and off switches available to you.

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.

Yes, but then we have to read post after post on these boards!

YAWWWWWWWN!

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.

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!" :rolleyes:


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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

sadly same ole umpires.


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

this 'reward the sandlot lifer' mentality 'hurts the kids' which is a RATs fave saying (usualy as hes being tossed)

i LOVE watchin the actual gamebeing played...but its so hard now to dig thru the crap to see it!

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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?

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

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

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).

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.

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!

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?


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' :rolleyes:

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!

Maybe that is the way LL wants the game to look. Amateurish. It is an amateur sport with unpaid officials. Would they be who they really are if the officials were uncommonly expert?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Interested Ump
Maybe that is the way LL wants the game to look. Amateurish. It is an amateur sport with unpaid officials. Would they be who they really are if the officials were uncommonly expert?

:D The game would be better officiated my contention is that LL may want to project an image that is closer to reality or the perception of LL reality. They pay a lot of money to people who tell them what their branding or image should be, maybe that is what is being told to LL. Be thyself. :)

If you would, clear the mystery as to how LL appointed this year's WS umpires.

Well . . . I would if I could. Trust me, every year it becomse more mysterious to me too.

[email protected]


I'm sure after the series has ended Mr. Konyar will be happy to answer your questions on how the appointments were made.



Tim.

Faster K
 

I doubt 30 LL batters will strike out in less than a 2 hour time limit.
Please cite the reference to determine the quality of a 3-hour, 6-inning baseball game using a game clock.
Sorry some of you missed a few minutes of your nightly ESPN sport show.
Cue ESPN theme: DA-DA-DA, pause, DA-DA-DA
The LLWS umpiring on TV hasn't been nearly as bad as the whiny LLWS umpire bias.

Originally Posted by Interested Ump
Quote:

The game would be better officiated my contention is that LL may want to project an image that is closer to reality or the perception of LL reality. They pay a lot of money to people who tell them what their branding or image should be, maybe that is what is being told to LL. Be thyself.

LL is TV. What works for TV is what TV marketing people advise which may not have any relationship with excellence on the field.

I'm in Williamsport right now. Watching my friend work the World Series. Hasn't missed a call and had a few tough ones, including a ball correctly called foul (as close as possible without being fair) in his first game on Saturday. Still hasn't done a plate due to today's rainout.

My friend works HS varsity and 3 college conferences.

The bashing of the umpires has grown tiresome. I saw 2 outstanding plate guys work last night. Not sure I could've done any better. I saw some good work on the bases, too. I'm just here enjoying myself....but I'm leaving tomorrow.

The selection process is a mystery, sure. You have to work a district, state, and regional at a level before you can be assigned. You have to apply and be recommended by your DA and the region. There's more, I'm sure.

Thanks, Tim.

So, of course, LL puts him on the foul line. Great use of resources.

Not everyingthing is bashing. Good plate work last night was mentioned. However, there is still, overall, IMO, a decline in quality from last year. Sometimes it is extremely noticeable.

If the comments are annoying you, you can always use the approach Ives recommends, change the channel or find the off button.;)
]

Llws Umpires
 

Umpires should have first called for their local league under the direction of a local UIC.

They are then selected by that league's DA (District Administrator) to an Area, District, or Sectional Tournament.

If DA feels Umpire is ready, the next step would be an assignment to the State Tournament.

At the DA's discretion, the umpire is then recommended to the Regional Tournament. This must be done by the DA, and all proper forms must be signed by the DA, then submitted to the Regional HQ before the deadline set by LL.

( Tournament application, volunteer form, copy of valid photo ID) This is an annual process until accepted.

Once accepted by Regional Director, the Umpire will recieve an invite to work that year's regional tourny where he will be evaluated by that Region's UIC. This person along with the Regional Director will determine if the Umpire recieves a LLWS recommendation or not.

Yes = Each year, the umpire must submit proper forms to the Regional HQ and THEY MUST BE SIGNED BY THAT UMPIRES DA. Your name is placed in a ever growing pool of names where they may or may not ever get a LLWS assignment, totally at the discretion of the Regional Director and Regional UIC.

No = You may or may not be invited back for another Regional in the near future where you will again be evaluated.

There are two important facts to know from this point.

1. Every year each Region brings in at least 8 new faces to call the Regional while at the same time, are alloted on average 2 LLWS invites. You can do the math.

2. Andy Konyar and other LL Administrators can only work with what is sent to them by the Regional Directors. Of course they will try to allocate assignments accordingly, but no matter how good it looks on paper, you will still be watching Little League Players, Managers, and Umpires.

Most come here and do a fine job, they just don't look like professionals on TV. There is a valid reason for that...


My schedule tomorrow (Tuesday)

3:00 - 2B

6:00 - RF

Do your worst ;)

Your schedule for today is: Sit around and look at it raining. Good luck the rest of the way.

I'm not annoyed, just wonder what is being accomplished is all. I guess all the exposure open up all the criticism. It's probably fair, just repetitive ;)

I'm in the system myself, as you know. I'm the rare LL umpire who doesn't desire Williamsport above all else. Since I worked a Senior regional, I'll be applying for the Senior World Series first, as a week in Bangor, Maine working good 15-16 baseball appeals to me. Then there is a Big League Division I may look into -- we just don't play it locally.

But I can understand why guys want to work Williamsport. It's a well-run tournament and also happens to be on national TV.

Actually, CDP requires each team to bring an umpire so it's pot luck. LL at least has a progression and selection process.

The LL "product" could also be improved if LL didn't restrict the geographical area players can be drawn from. It could be improved if LL used formally trained and certified coaches.

It's not going to happen. LL is a collection of community based volunteer organizations. That is what it is meant to be. It's going to stay like that.

End of mystery, thank you. :cool:

"Stephen Keener, President and C.E.O., Little League, Inc., held a news conference on Jan. 4, 2007; the subject being the new TV eight(8) year extension agreement.

In answer to a reporter's question he stated the new TV eight(8)year extension agreement revenue to Little League, Inc., was worth $30.1 million in total rights fees. [3.76 million/year]

He stated...this new agreement superseded a six(6) year agreement that was worth $8.4 million. [$1.4 million/year]

That news conference was/is available on-line.


He did say how some of the additional revenue was going back to local leagues via free coaches clinics; eighty(80) free background checks via Choice-Point; and a $2.00 reduction in Charter Fee; from $18.00 to $16.00. "

//////////////////////////////



WOW....lota dough! and thats just the TV--not including the sponsers! (kelloggs, i guess plus others)--- but NO word on using anyto upgrade the umpires, tho :(

cant' 30 MILLION DOLLARS buy a beter umpire selection system?? know there are great ones out there, why cant' MORE get to wport?

[QUOTE=UmpLarryJohnsoncant' 30 MILLION DOLLARS buy a beter umpire selection system?? know there are great ones out there, why cant' MORE get to wport?[/QUOTE]

Because the only ones who care about this are those (relatively) few *****ing on the internet discussion boards, and they haven't paid $30million.

At least you did get a few facts in this post. That's a good start young grasshopper. The secret is in realizing there's more, and interpretting them. For that, one must use his mind.

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

Yar, you tell 'im, Ace!

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

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

"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.

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

Maybe the Baltimore Orioles should sign him right now.

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.

One more rant and I'm done:

I am just sick to death of the phony-a$$ Frosted Flakes commercial and the "man's chicken" KFC spot. Could they possibly wear these two commercials out any more???

End of rant.

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

I lied. One more:

This High School II teenage singers that are doing the theme for this year's LLWS are saying, "Hey batter, batter, SWING" in their song. Isn't just a little ironic that actual LL players are prohibited from saying it in their games? I grew up using the cheer to our team's advantage, but now it's not PC to holler at the batter. Sad, just sad I tell ya.

Yeah, Steve,
That's just wrong.
Must've been approved by some ol' guy in the PR department.

YGBSM Steve! They are prohibited? By what freaking rule? I used to do this over 45 years ago and we survived just fine! Kids today are being raised in a bubble! PC my bunghole! It's just ridiculous!

As a catcher, I was always talking to the batter, as were my counterparts. Hell, I've got HS coaches whinning that a SS says back when dogging his runner at second. Now that's really sad!

FYI - If the fielder in yelling "back" alters the play in a FED game, you have verbal obstruction. I can possibly see why they would be complaining.


Tim.

:D Our summer theater kids had a HSM2-watching party and they decided that the singers voices were electronically enhanced. Maybe they were really saying "Hey batter batter sing" and it got mis-translated.

It never bothered me either. I didn't care what you hollered, I was going to get a hit. They quit telling me to swing after awhile, afraid that I would. It seemed to get under some kids' skin though. They sure took away a great tradition by banning the "swing batter" part.

We had a little Mexican catcher on my LL team. He was the best: "Hey batta hey batta, whatsa matta batta, hey batta batta SAWIIIIING BATTA!!!!

Here's what I've noticed in the games I've seen. The individual umpires are either VERY good, or VERY bad. Seems to be no middle ground at all. We've got Wendelstadt paired up with Jonny's Dad out there. I'm sure your friend is one of the VERY good one's I've noticed ... but no one can watch these games without seeing at least one (if not 2 or 3) REALLY horrible umpires. Not just bad calls, but bad mechanics and horrid awareness.

I know you weren't talking to me, mcrowder, but I know my friend is one of the very good ones there. He is doing our association proud.

After both of his plate games there have been NO posts about his performance. And since nearly all threads and posts are started to discuss the "flaws" of the umpires (and most often deservedly so)...the fact that he's had none should lead him to take that fact as a compliment. Plus, I've watched him on the plate and his mechanics have been rock solid.

I have a lot of pride because he came to my association (of which I am President and head of training; and which supplies umpires for high school, Legion and AAU) five years or so ago with only LL experience...and he made classic LL umpiring mistakes. He was trained by us in the classroom and on the field and now he's a damn good umpire. He's now a solid high school playoff umpire.

Yes, my chest is swelled with pride for our association!

watched both games last nite and an NOT complaining--both PUs did OK, not as good as the german umpire but fine none the les. the PU for the interntl game hass a lota 'lookatme' florishes but zone was prety good plus he had to go to 10th inning...

ga--az game pu did ok too. LOVED how he shut down the ga coach on the disputed call (even tho it apeared that it was the wrong call--kid walked any way so no harm).



so see ican complement as well! :)

They declared it wrong in the booth, but it looked to me like it may have caught the bat between the hands.

I had a similar call in the Senior Regional I worked. No TV, of course. Coach asked me to get help and I told him that those guys (my partners) were over 100 feet away and I had the call myself.

Contrary to popular opinion, LL does not require umpires to huddle. We were encouraged to get our own calls and only talk when necessary. I also found out last week that Williamsport does not require umpires to pivot in on every hit, that the umpires should just do what they're comfortable with.

My day there, I saw pretty standard mechanics, excepting that U2 could NOT go out and came in on every batted ball. Of course, that may be standard on a small diamond -- I just find it odd that an umpire would be moving away from a potential trouble ball happening right in front of him.

I think LL uses the KISS too much and doesn't challenge their umps enough. Maybe teaching nuances is impossible in a world game.

My guess is the OF umps have been given their outfield and little else and that they may be moving toward the play. If U2 is getting in (outa the way of an OF throw), I would hope U2 would be glancing in the direction of a trouble ball up the middle so he could help (if asked) if necessary.

INT by R1?
 

Did anyone see a game in W-port Thursday where R1 was hit by a batted ball, but the call was made well afterward. I was minding my kids and watching ESPN without audio, but I thought I saw a play where runners scored and moved all over the place. Then a replay came on showing the rock obviously hitting R1 (in front of F3, natch).

Just wondering if anyone caught it and can describe wha hoppen!

Ace

Hey all,

This was the 6th inning in the Venezuela - Curacau(sp?). R1 did get hit just above the knee with the batted ball, and the BU was right on the call and called R1 out immediately. I think what happened is that it was so noisy, or BU was so verbally quiet with the call, that no one noticed the call until much later.
Again, BU at first nailed it. Ball hit R1, BU points at R1 with left hand, gives the hammer with the right. 3 outs change sides.

LomUmp:cool:

That PU for Chinese Taipei vs. Japan was my very good friend Dave Fogerty. He is the long-time UIC of District III Rhode Island where I was an ADA for a couple of years. He is also next in line to take over UIC duties for the high school board in RI. Good guy. He does like his flourishes -- always has -- but a solid official nonetheless.

Now thanks to Musberger, Baker and the "Bulldog," every casual baseball fan watching the LLWS thinks that it was "Interference" on F3 for blocking the runner's path. Way to keep that going. I'm sure every LL umpire is thanking you for perpetuating that wrong information.

And the Japanese team will go home thinking that the plate is 23 inches wide and extends to the opposite batter's box inside line.

That Japanese catcher is a beggar too. If this umpire had a regular zone, this kid would be crying all day.

Why do they insist on using the trapezoid catcher's box? They should change it to match every other organization with a regular rectangle. It encourages these little brats to leave the umpire uncovered. Do these catchers really need that much leeway?

I can just see all these HS school kids who finally make it college and don't understand why that big "bully" the shortstop is hollering things behind my back while I'm at second.

By rule sure its verbal but that's simply not enforced in our areas thank goodness at least for now.

thansk
David

My son and I were watching but at least he's calling it the same for both teams. The Caribbean pitcher has gotten several at least 8 inches off the plate.

thanks
David

That's what I was referring to. I think that the Japanese have been on the short end of the stick when it comes to the outside strikes.

I've rerun that play at third in the second inning, and the subsequent replays, and depite Orel's assertion, I don't see a tag. I see F5's glove tag the dirt behind the runner and the runner reaching the bag safely.

Am I missing something?

You got good eyes, then, cause you'd have to see right through the runner to see that. Then again, so did U3.

A pitch on the line of the batter's box is only 4 inches from the plate, not 6 like on the big diamond. I think the zone is a big too wide, mainly cause these kids can throw it anywhere they want and they're taking advantage of it.

Who cares if you're uncovered? They catch the ball anyway. If they don't, you're wearing gear.

Perhaps all the LL catchers you've had catch everything. Not the case with me.

I have found through the years that when the catcher sets up way outside, the pitcher invariably throws a fastball inside and hits me in the left arm/elbow. If a pitcher has any kind of control, I don't care where the catcher sets up.

It always seems like the catchers I get that do this can't catch, and it's always with a wild pitcher. The ball rarely ever finds my gear. I have really good gear, but it should go on my arms, fingers, stomach or thighs, because that's where I usually get nailed.

Nawww. One replay angle was from the outfield side and the direction of second. It shows plenty of daylight between the runner and the tag.

I'll take your word for it.

I just can't figure out why Texas isn't throwing one of its fireballing lefties.

They can't throw Williams until tomorrow, if they can come back. That's the kid that struck out 17 the other day.

How do you like the PU they picked to work the US Championship game:

"Ball four, take your base batter."

LLWS wajke me when its over!
 

Hey....wake up....it's over.

Steve,

Might that occasionally result in something that looks like this?

http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/8/23816022272.jpg

JM

Yes, that is what my forearms, elbows and hands frequently resembled.

Shouldn't that be "wajke up....it's over?":rolleyes:

Isn't that what an umpires left arm is supposed to look like?

thanks mr Steve i deserved that one!!