How to handle?

[ozzy6900]

As long as you are the Manager or Head Coach (Scholastic ball), you have every right to properly question the call with the calling umpire.

As a side note, my son was also a 1st baseman (when he wasn't pitching). He also was able to go into a full split (God, my crotch ached every time I saw him do this) and I learned one very important thing. When a good first baseman goes into a split such as this, they are almost always anchored against the bag solidly! This is what allows them to keep their balance and goet all the way out (ouch!). They do not split as a dancer does (both feet moving away from each other). I also learned that once these first baseman go into this motion, they cannot stop it (unlike a dancer who can). So when I see this action, I am almost positive that the first baseman is on the bag.

[Rufus]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

As a side note, my son was also a 1st baseman (when he wasn't pitching). He also was able to go into a full split (God, my crotch ached every time I saw him do this) and I learned one very important thing. When a good first baseman goes into a split such as this, they are almost always anchored against the bag solidly! This is what allows them to keep their balance and goet all the way out (ouch!). They do not split as a dancer does (both feet moving away from each other). I also learned that once these first baseman go into this motion, they cannot stop it (unlike a dancer who can). So when I see this action, I am almost positive that the first baseman is on the bag.

Thanks for the feedback - I appreciate it. I had thought he was being a bit "restrictive" but, remembering that we're there to play a game and not have me get into a debate with the umpire, will always just go back to the dugout.

Ozzy - yes, it is painful to watch. The interesting thing is that he had another similar play where he stretched out like that a couple of innings later, kept his foot on the base, and the batter-runner was called out. Discussing it with my wife on the way home we thought that it might have not been called the first time because it isn't "normal" for 11U players in a rec league to stretch like that and still stay in contact with the base. Once the BU saw he could, however, maybe he looked more carefully next time? Not sure, but still happy with the result!

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by Rufus

Ozzy - yes, it is painful to watch. The interesting thing is that he had another similar play where he stretched out like that a couple of innings later, kept his foot on the base, and the batter-runner was called out. Discussing it with my wife on the way home we thought that it might have not been called the first time because it isn't "normal" for 11U players in a rec league to stretch like that and still stay in contact with the base. Once the BU saw he could, however, maybe he looked more carefully next time? Not sure, but still happy with the result!

Rufus

From a former coach of three sons, all umpires, one distressed baseball wife (Team Mother for Eternity?), pieces of advice.

What you do, your style and grace, is what your children will remember you for. Every time you feel the urge to approach sports officials, remember that.

When other fathers had problems with their player sons, I never did. My wife, God Bless her, kept reminding me why I was coaching in the first place.

"What you do, your style and grace, is what your children, and the other children, will remember you for."

When their ball was over, I took that and became a strength and power trainer "What you do, your style and grace, is what your children and others will remember you for."

FYI.