Little League: Kentucky vs. Texas

[aceholleran]

Trust me, the LLWS umps this year are the best I've ever seen (at the WS). Before you get your flamethrowers out, read on.

This shows you how bad it's been in the past. At least we're not getting ball-strike calls before the rock hits the mitt, as I've seen in the past.

The reason why these guys look so bad is that they are virtually all big cheeses in their local areas. They have developed bad habits over the years (witness the constant "play" business), and there's no one to tell them about the mistakes-- they are the assignors, etc. It's like the emperor's new clothes. Most of these guys have never even done a HS JV game. I see them at LL sectional, state and regional levels all the time.

I think LL is a great place to start, but I didn't hone my skills until I did HS, Legion and college/ex-pro summer ball.

These poor guys can't do the "casual out" at first; every foul ball is a major production; dress up that swinging strike 3--it's fine. It's ingrained. Don't forget that these officials aren't even vetted at the regional level. They get these assignments by recommendation. I am going to try to make it to ER in Bristol, CT next year. Chances are slim and none.

I don't blame this august group for hopping on some of these Smitties. Just remember that they don't think there's a thing wrong with their game.

Ace in CT

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by aceholleran

I don't blame this august group for hopping on some of these Smitties. Just remember that they don't think there's a thing wrong with their game.

Then they should read my Liitle League® World Series thread at the other forum.

[RPatrino]

Ace is 100% correct. The umpires we see at the LLWS are at the "top" of their game, they are being rewarded for their dedication to Little League and their local communities. Agree with Little League or not, they reward those in their organization that fit the mold of the Little League Umpire.

Like the old saying goes, " one year experience repeated 20 times", which is the case with SOME LL umpires, but NOT all. Some are dedicated to honing their craft, but like Ace, I agree that moving up to higher caliber ball is the only realy way to hone your skills.

As to what LL wants done in their environment, disagree or not, it's their game, it will be done their way or you won't be doing it at the Regional or WS level. There are times when what we do at the HS level would seem out of place in a Little League sanctioned game, just like what LL wants to see their umpires do would seem foreign to us at the HS level.

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by aceholleran

Trust me, the LLWS umps this year are the best I've ever seen (at the WS).

I have to disagree. Four or five years ago, LLWS has a great group of umpires, many of whom worked D-1 Ball. As I recall, even this board had a good deal of praise for the umps that year.

This year's cast of fools have even screwed up basic rules and thrown each other under the bus. They are an embarrassment.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

Ace is 100% correct. The umpires we see at the LLWS are at the "top" of their game, they are being rewarded for their dedication to Little League and their local communities. Agree with Little League or not, they reward those in their organization that fit the mold of the Little League Umpire.

Like the old saying goes, " one year experience repeated 20 times", which is the case with SOME LL umpires, but NOT all. Some are dedicated to honing their craft, but like Ace, I agree that moving up to higher caliber ball is the only realy way to hone your skills.

As to what LL wants done in their environment, disagree or not, it's their game, it will be done their way or you won't be doing it at the Regional or WS level. There are times when what we do at the HS level would seem out of place in a Little League sanctioned game, just like what LL wants to see their umpires do would seem foreign to us at the HS level.

Disagree.

Originally Posted by Ump153

I have to disagree. Four or five years ago, LLWS has a great group of umpires, many of whom worked D-1 Ball. As I recall, even this board had a good deal of praise for the umps that year.

This year's cast of fools have even screwed up basic rules and thrown each other under the bus. They are an embarrassment.

Agree.

[RPatrino]

Steve, just curious what part of my post do you not agree with? I made several statements, some that I suspect would generate some disagreement.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

Steve, just curious what part of my post do you not agree with? I made several statements, some that I suspect would generate some disagreement.

These parts:

Originally Posted by RPatrino

Ace is 100% correct.

I don't think he is 100% correct. He said these are the best umpires at the WS he's ever seen. If this is true, I wonder if he's ever seen the tournament before, because these guys are certainly not the best, with few exceptions. Some were better than others, but only a couple would I classify as "very good." The guy working the plate in the GA/CA game last night was rather brutal, as were U1 and U3. Keystone Cops brutal.

Sure, they are at the "top" of "their" game, which is the scary part. What were they like at the bottom?

Originally Posted by RPatrino

There are times when what we do at the HS level would seem out of place in a Little League sanctioned game, just like what LL wants to see their umpires do would seem foreign to us at the HS level.

I don't know why using professional mechanics, judgment, timing and game management would be frowned upon in Little League®, or any level of baseball. I've worked Pinto to Semi-Pro, and everything in between, including LL® baseball, and never altered my mechanics or timing to look like some of the Smitties I've witnessed the last couple of weeks in Williamsport.

[RPatrino]

Steve, thanks for the response, and here are my thoughts.

1) The fact Ace felt these were the best he's seen at the LLWS is just his judgement. I don't know what he's seen in the past. He's entitled to his opinions, as are we. I have seen worse as well, even Mr. Konyar himself has screwed the pooch on occasion.

2) I too have worked Pinto on up, including LL Baseball and I have never altered what I do to mirror anyone. I have also never worked a LL Regional or WS.

[TxUmp]

The PU in the China-Mexico game had the worst strike zone I have ever seen in a game using instant replay. The third strike call on the left-handed batter when the pitched ball crossed the middle of the right-hand batter's box was typical. No first year umpire in our association would call that pitch a strike. And that was only typical of his HUGE strike zone!

This group of umpires is not up to the standards of the guys from previous years.