Deleted Thread (Hey, Peter....Close?)

[GarthB]

I saw that someone with the authority and ability to delete the posts of multiple posters had whacked away at the thread I started regarding Peter's call of "no he didn't go" on an intentional walk.

The selectivity of the posts deleted makes it obvious that someone in particular must have complained. So, to make sure that that thread didn't become offensive to anyone, I deleted my intial post which deleted the thread.

Hopefully, everyone's at peace now.

GB

[Tim C]

It appears that the "willynillyness" of editing has struck.

Why would that happen without someone telling us to "toe the line"

[His High Holiness]

All;

Here is a matter of interest that has a direct relationship to the item that we were discussing.

Over at eteamz, there is a long article (OBR board, "Called on account of darkness") about a college wood bat league that it is about 100 miles from me in central Pennsylvania. (The funny thing is that the writer does not say what kind of league that it is and some of the respondents seem to think that it is some kind of Little League.) Anyway, the pitcher is giving an intentional walk to the batter and one team is attempting to delay the game in order to get it called on account of darkness. The batter decides to swing during the intentional walk so the pitcher drills him on the next pitch. Chaos broke out and the umpire ended the game.

It appears that this swing took place after a 1-0 count so I would not have called a ball when the batter swung, but I would have taken preventative action to forestall the next pitch. Perhaps that is the point at which the umpire should have called the game, I don't know.

What I do know is that preventing things like this is what impresses NCAA assignors. OTOH, having a s$$$house in your game like what was related in the article does nothing to give the assignor confidence in you. Dealing with these situations is as important as being consistent in balls and strikes if an umpire decides to shoot for the top of the amateur ranks.

Having been at the center of an umpire association's internal workings, I can assure the reader that this game did nothing good for the umpires' careers.

Peter

[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by His High Holiness


Over at eteamz, there is a long article (OBR board, "Called on account of darkness") about a college wood bat league that it is about 100 miles from me in central Pennsylvania. (The funny thing is that the writer does not say what kind of league that it is and some of the respondents seem to think that it is some kind of Little League.) Anyway, the pitcher is giving an intentional walk to the batter and one team is attempting to delay the game in order to get it called on account of darkness. The batter decides to swing during the intentional walk so the pitcher drills him on the next pitch. Chaos broke out and the umpire ended the game.

Peter IMO umpires are trying to be too nice when it comes to darkness and that's why sometimes a sh******e arises. My mentor once told me, we know when it's going to get dark and when you get to a certain point and KNOW for a fact that you will not be able to get a WHOLE inning before it's gets dark - kill it

In addition, this is why umpires need to show up early for a game, especially on fields with no lights. Sometimes you can start early. An assignor doesn't want to hear "Hey your umpires showed up late and the reason we didn't get the game in is because we didn't start on time"

If an umpire has good game management skills concerning darkness, the "methods" which you discussed do not have to be followed. Also, do not let the teams dilly dally Once F1 only gets one pitch in which to warm up - They get the message and yes this works even in adult leagues.

Also, if you do see one team trying to make a travesty by constantly stalling, then kill the game at that point. I did such a thing in a collegiate wood bat league last year. The coach asked for time and changed F1 which is perfectly in his right, however, after one pitch he asked for time again except this time he wanted to change both F1 / F2. Then he instructed F2 to call time and talk to F1 etc. After, I saw this nonsense develop and you could tell the other team was getting mad and yes a potential sh******e could develop I simply called the game.

The bottom line here is: As umpires show up early, keep the game moving and if you feel that you can only get so many innings in, when you reach that point kill the game IMO you do not need to resort to such tactics as you outlined in a previous thread just to prevent potential problems.

Pete Booth

[jicecone]

Peter, our original objection (at least mine), to your calling a strike had nothing to do with the umpires responsibilty for controlling the game.

You are absoltely correct in saying,"Dealing with these situations is as important as being consistent in balls and strikes", even if it doesn't get you another game. Under these circumstances, you do whatever you have to keep that game in line. However, I also officiate Ice Hockey and as with baseball we tell our officials that you must control your games within the guidelins given to you. The rules of baseball afford us similar regulations for the official to use.

After the fact, when all is said and done and the situation is reviewed, it is just as important to us as administrators and assignors, that the officials stayed within the guidelines given to them, otherwise further disiplinary action is not always possible. Somewhat like the police officer getting his case thrown out because he made up his own laws.

Now, I'm not trying to imply that not calling a strike in that situation is in any way going to have that detriminal effect on the game or the situation that may or may not have happened. But, if we are allowed to call the game as we see fit this time, then how about the next time and the time after that. Then for sure you will be getting no more assignments.

If your intent for not calling that strike was for control, then I have no problem with it. However that was not the way you originally came across.

So, if this post does not get deleted like the chiefie one, then have a good day.

[Tim C]

Your reference about the "article" was too obtuse for me.

Did you mean one of my articles over on ABUA or were you referring to another article?

The articles I post are meant to show emerging umpires that even "seasoned" vets make bad calls now and then . . .

Please advise.

[His High Holiness]

Originally posted by Tim C
Your reference about the "article" was too obtuse for me.

Did you mean one of my articles over on ABUA or were you referring to another article?

The articles I post are meant to show emerging umpires that even "seasoned" vets make bad calls now and then . . .

Please advise.

Tee;

I said ETEAMZ, OBR board. How much clearer can I be other than to give the URL

http://www.eteamz.com/baseball/board....cfm?id=535215

Peter

[Tim C]

Since I have vowed to NEVER visit that site I guess I will always be on the outside of their cutting edge issues. hehehehe