Little League: Kentucky vs. Texas

[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.

[RPatrino]

It's amazing to me, knowing that you had instant replay on every pitch, why he would have that wide of a zone. I saw just part of that game, and I was shocked at that pitch being called a strike, which he did very consitantly. In other games, I also saw some very obvious '2 plane' misses, in this case, high and wide. There was some obvious chirping coming from the mic'd coaches on those as well.

I haven't watched enough of the games to get a sense for the field work. Why don't the 1b umpires use the 'casual' out signal vs, the full blown hammer? I guess there is no 'casual' when you are on stage. Another pet peeve of mine is the "foul ball" call on screamers back to the fence...come on guys.

[RKBUmp]

According to some of the announcers I have heard, they say the umpires have been instructed to call a very large strike zone for strikes 1 & 2, but to tighten it up for strike 3 and make the pitcher earn it. If this is the case, I dont agree with it because neither the pitcher or the batter ever know where you are going to call something a strike.

One clip I saw was the Curacau catcher framing a pitch. He was set up in the middle of the left handed batters box, caught the ball just off his right shoulder, moved his glove 2' to the middle of the plate and the umpire called it a strike.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by 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.

I think you mean the Japan-Mexico game. The PU in the game right now in the Championship game is doing pretty good. You must be talking about the game the other day.

[MrUmpire]

My 88 year mother is visiting. She asked what was written on the top patch on the players left sleeve. I told her it said "I wont't cheat." She just looked at me and asked, "Shouldn't that go without saying?" My wife replied, "not anymore."

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

My 88 year mother is visiting. She asked what was written on the top patch on the players left sleeve. I told her it said "I wont't cheat." She just looked at me and asked, "Shouldn't that go without saying?" My wife replied, "not anymore."

If they think cheating is something new ask them about the black sox scandal.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

If they think cheating is something new ask them about the black sox scandal.

Say it ain't so, Shoeless Rich!