Knew it was coming

[David B]

Just read on ESPN about Little League having a replay system for World Series. Not what we needed to hear ...

Thanks
David

Little League expands replay for World Series - ESPN

[txump81]

Originally Posted by David B

Just read on ESPN about Little League having a replay system for World Series. Not what we needed to hear ...

Thanks
David

Little League expands replay for World Series - ESPN

Might as well just umpire with the camera. Why should you have any umpires out there, if judgement calls can be questioned? This will only hurt all umpires.

[johnnyg08]

I'm sure the kids are going to be so much happier now. After all, it's all about the kids... :-) Hopefully they'll show replays of the after game pizza party that is on every kids mind for after the game.

[jicecone]

Hope they expand there list of qualified umpires to include more qualified umpires, otherwise there are going to be some long games, with the replay.

[IowaMike]

In my opinion, Little League has lost its way and has become a corporate profit seeking entity that serves its slavemaster known as ESPN. Let me say that I have had four sons go through Little League baseball, coached it for five years and served three years on my leagues board of directors. The evolution that has taken place since my first son started playing 18 years ago is troubling to me.

Too much focus is placed on All Stars and the World Series, 12 kids from each league. The focus should be on all of the kids and developing their playing skills, learning sportsmanship and cooperation, and enjoying being part of a team. Two of my sons played on All Star teams and one of them won a state championship; I still tried to get my league to give up all stars and have a slightly longer season so all of the kids could play more games. I was shouted down every time I brought it up.

The seasons eventually had to start and end earlier to accomodate ESPN's schedule for the World Series. They relaxed the age requirements so that essentially 13 year olds can now play little league. Hey, more big kids hitting big homeruns and throwing 75 mph which is what viewers want. I have always found it a bit hypocritical that Little League is supposed to be all volunteer and umpires are supposed to work for free, but it signed an 8 year, $30.1 million contract with ESPN. But it's all about the kids right?

Instant replay is just another step down the slippery slope of making little league more like professional baseball, which isn't what it is supposed to be. Dollars determine the course of little league, not the needs of the kids. The blame lies primarily at the national level; local leagues have little to no say about the direction little league takes. Little league used to be very strong in my area, but has lost a lot of kids over the past several years. One of our local leagues switched over to Cal Ripken affiliation this season. I think little league will eventually reach too far and destroy itself.

[mbyron]

6 umpires on a 60' field, and they STILL want replay?

Is there such a thing as overkilling overkill?

[amusedofficial]

Originally Posted by IowaMike

In my opinion, Little League has lost its way

This was the most cogent comment I have seen about the problems with Little League Baseball.

Let us remember that this is an organization that turned its back on its founder many years ago. Little League Baseball exists not for the kids, but for the greater glorification of Little League BVaseball.

I do official, Williamsport-connected "Little League," Ripken leagues and town "youth leagues" with no affiliation with some parent organization.

I find the Ripken leagues combine the "baseball for the fun of it" attitude of the unaffiliated leagues with standards and organized structure. I think I can judge the "fun level" of a baseball game and the Ripken leagues have it all over official Little League. Unaffiliated leagues are also generally good leagues. Official Little Leagues are political sewers.

Little League playoffs are not about the players, and it hasn't been that way for 30 years.

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by David B

Just read on ESPN about Little League having a replay system for World Series. Not what we needed to hear ...

Thanks
David

Little League expands replay for World Series - ESPN

I figured it was coming as well. Sad to see it since the umpires are volunteer.

-Josh

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by David B

Just read on ESPN about Little League having a replay system for World Series. Not what we needed to hear ...

Thanks
David

Little League expands replay for World Series - ESPN

I think that the whole concept is a complete joke. Some in depth clinic work would do better than doing replays. Yeah, "for the kids" my butt.... it's for the complaining parents and coaches and don't tell me any different!

[kylejt]

A lot of the time the bad umpires you'll see in Williamsport are foreigners. They just don't have the training that we do have out here, but get represented none the less. Also, notice who's on the final plates. It's usually a WR guy, or a Texan. They get better training, and work more games. The games on the final weekend will have the better guys on the dish and bases. The other folks with rotate in and out of the outfield, just to get in the game.

As for the insane replay nonsense, I let the CEO have an earful this afternoon. His short reply was that he did not agree.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by kylejt

The games on the final weekend will have the better guys on the dish and bases. The other folks with rotate in and out of the outfield, just to get in the game.

With the quality strike zone I've seen in the past few years, this statement doesn't add to LL's ability to find good umpires.

[LMan]

"just another tool to help him do his job." LOL

..as in instead of second-guessing you from the stands and the broadcast booth, we will do it officially on the field.

It will be interesting to see, though. Can't wait to see how this plays out...could be a 1-year experiment

[johnnyg08]

6 umpires on a LL field w/ 60 foot bases...the kids will be so happy that all of the calls will now be correct :-) LOL

[kylejt]

Two things.

Don't like it, then do something about it. I've been trading emails with Keener, letting him know exactly what I think about this. cc's have gone to the Regionals. If we, as a group, roll over on this, who knows what's next. I didn't like what they did to my Junior umpires last year, and made myself a thorn in their side. You may not do LL, or aspire to do the dog and pony show on TV, but there's a trickle down effect in this decision.

WS umpires are taken from all over. The difference in skill level is quite apparent. I know that WR sends only top guys. It's a pretty tough group of umpires that make the selections on who goes, not just some DAs. Same with getting a Regional nod. Not too many slackers there. Other parts of the country, and the world, aren't so blessed with the training you get at WR.