LLWS umpires need to take a page from NFL refs.

[THoy]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

LL has a pretty good training program through their regional centers, but the problem is not enough of the volunteers take advantage of the training. I've been to a half-a-dozen weekend clinics, and have attended their week long session twice. I'm fortunate in that I live only two and a half hours from the Central Region Headquarters and it isn't a huge cost for me to attend the training.

I don't think the mistakes that are made each year at the WS are any more prevalent than the mistakes we seen on the local ball fields each weekend. The mistakes are just amplified exponentially being televised nationally. I also think that we tend to be way too critical on the Internet of the mistakes these officials make in Williamsport. It can't be easy to umpire on national television.

Tim.

Well put.

[MD Longhorn]

BU - they may have good training. The difference between LL and other orgs I've worked for is that LL doesn't REQUIRE participation in that training in order to work more important and more visible games. Every other org I'm associated with DOES require such training.