I really dislike USSSA's new courtesy runner rule!

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by DG

What's the problem? You getting beat by pitchers who are courtesy running for catcher's that followed them in the lineup?

Long time ump here, DG. Not a rat.

[DG]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

Long time ump here, DG. Not a rat.

So why do you care? When I was a coach, a long time ago, I learned the rules I needed to play by, and played by them. Sometimes we win because of it.

I don't like the designated hitter rule in the American League, but it doesn't stop me from watching games on TV.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by DG

So why do you care? When I was a coach, a long time ago, I learned the rules I needed to play by, and played by them. Sometimes we win because of it.

Read my OP, DG. I'll review and explain the high points:

Courtesy runners were originally an idea to help speed up the game.
This rules does not do that because "Pitcher now courtesy runs for the catcher" or "In a particualary long inning, coaches are scrambling to remember who made the last out."

What happens if you put the wrong kid out there? Nothing. Just replace him with the proper courtesy runner. So some dishonest coaches "mistakenly" are putting their fastest kid on base to courtesy run since there is no penalty if their "mistake" is discovered.
This is encouraging blatant cheating by some coaches. I see this as being similar to a coach switching his runners during a defensive conference so that the faster one has a better chance of scoring. That move has been discussed on this board many times in the agreement that outs and possible ejections occur when it happens.

[DG]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

Read my OP, DG. I'll review and explain the high points:

Courtesy runners were originally an idea to help speed up the game.
This rules does not do that because "Pitcher now courtesy runs for the catcher" or "In a particualary long inning, coaches are scrambling to remember who made the last out."

What happens if you put the wrong kid out there? Nothing. Just replace him with the proper courtesy runner. So some dishonest coaches "mistakenly" are putting their fastest kid on base to courtesy run since there is no penalty if their "mistake" is discovered.
This is encouraging blatant cheating by some coaches. I see this as being similar to a coach switching his runners during a defensive conference so that the faster one has a better chance of scoring. That move has been discussed on this board many times in the agreement that outs and possible ejections occur when it happens.

I think the original intent of the CR rule is to get more participation for non-starters, since it rarely speeds up the game.

The second issue is just coaching. Any coach worth his salt has a scorekeeper who will immediately feed him the information he needs. Anything less is poor head coach. Blatant cheating is another subject.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by DG

The second issue is just coaching. Any coach worth his salt has a scorekeeper who will immediately feed him the information he needs. Anything less is poor head coach. Blatant cheating is another subject.

Agreed on that. While I've suspected that the wrong CR has been used, its something that should be brought to my attention by the scorekeeper.

[TxUmp]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

Agreed on that. While I've suspected that the wrong CR has been used, its something that should be brought to my attention by the scorekeeper.

Are u seriously asking for help from the scorekeeper???!!!!

The scorekeeper should be there to keep score, certainly not be an alternate official. Would you want the scorekeeper alerting you (or either team) of a BOOO situation? I think not. And certainly not inserting himself in keeping track of CR's.

[DG]

Originally Posted by TxUmp

Are u seriously asking for help from the scorekeeper???!!!!

The scorekeeper should be there to keep score, certainly not be an alternate official. Would you want the scorekeeper alerting you (or either team) of a BOOO situation? I think not. And certainly not inserting himself in keeping track of CR's.

Haven't coached in awhile but I always wanted a good scorekeeper. For a good one I would EXPECT help. The job description requires it and I explain this very carefully before we get started with a season. If I can't get help during a game I have the wrong scorekeeper. I want him (or her) to tell me, without me asking, of any substitution issues, including BOO and wrong CR. I want him, if I ask, to tell me what the current batter has done his last at bat, or the one before, where he hit the ball, fly ball or ground ball, what the count was, what the next batter did his last time up. A real good scorekeeper will tell me what the pitch was that the guy up hit out of the park his last at bat, although I probably know that.

The score is the least of my worries, and usually kept on the scoreboard. Oh, if the scoreboard is not right I EXPECT my scorekeeper to alert me to this also.

I am speaking from coach perspective here. From umpire perspective, the scorekeeper, and assistants don't exist.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by TxUmp

Are u seriously asking for help from the scorekeeper???!!!!.

He's asking about the TEAM's scorekeeper (a member of teh coaching staff, sitting on the bench, ...) He's not asking about the Official Scorer (sitting in the press box, not related to either team, ...)

Sometimes those roles get blurred during youth games.