Little League World Series Umps

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I recall doing a LL State tournament years ago, and the tournament UIC from the host league received permission to use his local umpires as LFUs and RFUs, as a form of gratitude for their volunteerism during the regular season.

It's even better (worse) at the softball World Series that's held in Portland. The umpires that aren't working the bases or plate all get to do a foul line during the championship game. They rotate in every couple innings. This way they can all say they were on the championship game, no matter how good or bad they were.

At our district tournaments we use crews of 3 at most. To me that's all you really need on a small diamond anyway. When we're invited to send umpires to a state tournament we send a crew of 3 as well (the district sending the crew chooses the size of the crew).

[Rich]

Originally Posted by SethPDX

It's even better (worse) at the softball World Series that's held in Portland. The umpires that aren't working the bases or plate all get to do a foul line during the championship game. They rotate in every couple innings. This way they can all say they were on the championship game, no matter how good or bad they were.

At our district tournaments we use crews of 3 at most. To me that's all you really need on a small diamond anyway. When we're invited to send umpires to a state tournament we send a crew of 3 as well (the district sending the crew chooses the size of the crew).

Senior Baseball World Series final they did the same. Infield umpires stayed the same, line guys rotated in. They were given the option to not work the game instead and IIRC, one or two guys figured since they weren't in the infield that they wouldn't bother working.

Some good umpires got left out and were somewhat unhappy. But only 4 umpires of 12 could work the infield.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Rich

Senior Baseball World Series final they did the same. Infield umpires stayed the same, line guys rotated in. They were given the option to not work the game instead and IIRC, one or two guys figured since they weren't in the infield that they wouldn't bother working.

Some good umpires got left out and were somewhat unhappy. But only 4 umpires of 12 could work the infield.

Frankly, I think that's a silly practice. The championship game should go to the top six umpires, and that's it. If the remaining umpires weren't good enough to make the crew, then so be it; it's the nature of the beast. Allowing them to rotate into the lines devalues the positions. And heaven forbid that the 12th-rated umpire out of 12 blows a fair/foul or catch/no catch call at a critical juncture in the game.

I vaguely recall years ago during the LLWS when a LL umpire from Canada failed to see a home run that hit the foul pole. I think he ruled that the ball never left the field and hit the fence, or maybe he ruled it foul, I can't really remember. Imagine something like that happening in a regional championship game where instant replay is not used to correct, and the call is made by an umpire who just came in from the cold late in the game.

Regardless of how good this umpire is, the perception would be that the call was made by someone who wasn't focused because he just entered. I could hear the ESPN announcers now, lamenting, "Hey, that umpire wasn't the same guy who made the catch call in the third inning! What's going on here?" Why deal with that hassle?

It's an honor to work the final game, and that honor should be bestowed on the best of the best. JMO

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Allowing them to rotate into the lines devalues the positions.

I had to laugh at this. I believe everyone here considers the RFU and LFU to be completely worthless and un-needed for a LL game, no matter the magnitude of the game.

So allowing them to rotate devalues something we would all consider valueless. Had to laugh.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

I had to laugh at this. I believe everyone here considers the RFU and LFU to be completely worthless and un-needed for a LL game, no matter the magnitude of the game.

So allowing them to rotate devalues something we would all consider valueless. Had to laugh.

Well, I didn't want to go there, but I agree with you. There's no reason for them other than to mimic the big boys. And even there it is overkill.

[Moosie74]

Originally Posted by SethPDX

It's even better (worse) at the softball World Series that's held in Portland. The umpires that aren't working the bases or plate all get to do a foul line during the championship game. They rotate in every couple innings. This way they can all say they were on the championship game, no matter how good or bad they were.

I worked the LL Softball World Series, I did my inning on the RFL for the championship game, I did not during the game or any time since feel like I worked in the championship game even though I made 2 out calls on two trouble balls.

If anyone asks, I was the 3rd base umpire in the semi-final game, that was the last game I worked in the world series.

In the junior baseball regional last year I worked the LFU in the first championship game, stayed there for all 7 innings, that is the only way I would have wanted it and I count it that way. I was U3 on the if game, it's just an assignment.

[RPatrino]

Puerto Rico vs. Australia....PU...OMG.

Wow, just wow! The crazy man strike call and the Eric Gregg zone. This game is going to be funnnnnn....he's very quick too.

[Forest Ump]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

Puerto Rico vs. Australia....PU...OMG.

Wow, just wow! The crazy man strike call and the Eric Gregg zone. This game is going to be funnnnnn....he's very quick too.

I saw that too, Bob. He rung up some kid with a turn to his right and just held his arm out there for like 5 seconds. Pretty bad. Apparently he didn't learn how to indicate a foul tip either.

Now with all that has been said about LL umpires, we had a guy from our college group work the plate at the LL world series last year. He didn't fit the mold of these other guys we have seen on TV. He was pretty damn good.

[RPatrino]

Steve, the exceptions are few and far between. So far, I have only seen one PU that called a great game. The base and line umps have been marginal at best. I hope that they whittle the crews down to the best for the final rounds of the series. This is a showcase event for LL and they should be showcasing the best of the best in their umpire world. They clearly aren't or they clearly don't know how to define excellence in umpiring.

[UMP45]

No LL simply doesn't care whether the umpires are good or not. Remember they have Instant Replay!

[PeteBooth]

You cannot have it both ways.

LL is supposed to be about Volunteering. If you were ever a UIC or a scheduler of umpires for a given LL season, you have your guys / gals that you can count on. They might not necessarily be the best but they are willing and able.

Then you get to the districts / sates etc. etc. and then the Distric administrator gets involved and brings in their "heavy-weights"

The "other group" who busts their buts all year round gets nothing or at the very least maybe a couple of first / second round All Star games at best.

Then we wonder why ABC LL organization can't get umpires. Hey it's ok for me to work games all week maybe 3-4 games on Saturday but when the "big" games come I am not good enough.

You said it best "we had a guy from our college group"

This guy should be polished.

I am not saying this college umpire did not donate games for free to LL but if he was doing college ball he was not there each and every night.

Also, LLWS umpire bashing has been going on for quite some time now. In a Forum I used to visit quite frequently (eteamz) it was a yearly event.

The problem: LL "sold their sole" to the network

Instead of LL doing the right thing and pay for umpires, they want to "hide" behind the notion that it's all Volunteer but when the "show" starts they want the cream of the crop umpires. I too knew some college guys that umpired at the districts etc. Yeah they were good but they should have been.

In a nutshell you "cannot have your cake and eat it to" If it's truly volunteer then allow the guys / gals who bust their butts all year to officiate, otherwise simply pay for the officials.

Pete Booth

[Rich]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

You cannot have it both ways.

LL is supposed to be about Volunteering. If you were ever a UIC or a scheduler of umpires for a given LL season, you have your guys / gals that you can count on. They might not necessarily be the best but they are willing and able.

Then you get to the districts / sates etc. etc. and then the Distric administrator gets involved and brings in their "heavy-weights"

The "other group" who busts their buts all year round gets nothing or at the very least maybe a couple of first / second round All Star games at best.

Then we wonder why ABC LL organization can't get umpires. Hey it's ok for me to work games all week maybe 3-4 games on Saturday but when the "big" games come I am not good enough.

You said it best "we had a guy from our college group"

This guy should be polished.

I am not saying this college umpire did not donate games for free to LL but if he was doing college ball he was not there each and every night.

Also, LLWS umpire bashing has been going on for quite some time now. In a Forum I used to visit quite frequently (eteamz) it was a yearly event.

The problem: LL "sold their sole" to the network

Instead of LL doing the right thing and pay for umpires, they want to "hide" behind the notion that it's all Volunteer but when the "show" starts they want the cream of the crop umpires. I too knew some college guys that umpired at the districts etc. Yeah they were good but they should have been.

In a nutshell you "cannot have your cake and eat it to" If it's truly volunteer then allow the guys / gals who bust their butts all year to officiate, otherwise simply pay for the officials.

Pete Booth

Pete, your post is full of crap, in 2 ways.

(1) I give away over a month of prime money games every year to volunteer during the LL tournaments. I should be thought of as no less a volunteer because I work college baseball in the spring than these umpires are. In the end, we all meet the LL criteria for post-season assignments.

(2) Cream of the crop? Have you been watching the LLWS this year?

[PeteBooth]

[QUOTE][QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Rich

Pete, your post is full of crap, in 2 ways.

(1) I give away over a month of prime money games every year to volunteer during the LL tournaments. I should be thought of as no less a volunteer because I work college baseball in the spring than these umpires are. In the end, we all meet the LL criteria for post-season assignments.

Rich you made my point by saying during the LL tournaments That was my point.

What about the regular season? You come in during the tournaments which I also do, but if I was one of those regular season umpires and did not get any Tournament games because you and other college / FED umpires wanted them I would not like it and I do not think you would either.

My main point is this

It's LL and it should be umpired by the people who officiate day in and day out no matter how bad / good BUT LL has sold out to TV.

Also, here most are bashing the LLWS umps

We had a PRO umpire this year allow a pitching change without the original F1 throwing a pitch a basic rule.

Pete Booth

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

Puerto Rico vs. Australia....PU...OMG.

Wow, just wow! The crazy man strike call and the Eric Gregg zone. This game is going to be funnnnnn....he's very quick too.

Agreed. Catcher would set up behind the other batter's box and the pitcher hit the mitt. K!

Wow, just wow is right!

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by grunewar

Agreed. Catcher would set up behind the other batter's box and the pitcher hit the mitt. K!

Zone was too wide outside but as to your assertion above:

Not while I was watching - except once when the catcher reached back to the plate to catch what was obviously a strike.