It was really fun seeing Sammy Fontecchio, an umping partner, working 2nd base in the Midwest regional final with South Dakota and Iowa.

Attaboy, Sammy! :)

mick

I second that mick. I'd step on the field anyday with him.

Bergy

And my buddy Rob Ruhle from Madison, Wisconsin, who worked the plate. I worked with Rob just over a week ago and we worked the Wisconsin LL Juniors state championship together.

Rich

Yeah, but he missed one bigtime
 

The kid that got hit on the hand/bat. He kept him at the plate and rung him up for a strike.
I couldn't really understand his reasoning, but didn't think too much about it until, after the next pitch (too late) the offensive manager wanted to question it. The PU said "it's too late now". (still no problems yet), but then he followed that up by saying "It's a strike since he attempted to hit the pitch". WHAT?!?!?
I'm not sure what he was looking at, but the kid made no move whatsoever that could've been interpreted as offering at the pitch.
Of course, the manager was wrong for not questioning the call right then, instead of waiting until after the next pitch.
Your friend did a fine job in the game. I just thought he lost a little credibility when he said the kid had offered at the pitch.

Maybe he truly believed he offered at the pitch. I don't know.

I'll ask him when I see him.

Rich

"The kid that got hit on the hand/bat. He kept him at the plate and rung him up for a strike."

If you WATCHED the same game that I did, then you would have seen the ball clearly hit the bat , then the players hand on what looked like a legitimate offer for a bunt. (Replay clearly showed this.) Dead ball, Stike.

"Your friend did a fine job in the game. I just thought he lost a little credibility when he said the kid had offered at the pitch"

He was right, YOU are wrong.

FWIW, I didn't think the kid offered either, but I'm willing to take the ump's word for it. I'm sure there's a reason he's umping that game, and it's probably because he's a damn good umpire.

Agreed!!!!! He is obviously a very good umpire, and is there because he deserved to be.
I didn't mean to start a firestorm here and I didn't mean any disrespect to him. If I did that, I apologize to him and his friends here.
Just offered an opinion. I thought that it was okay to discuss stuff like that here.

Gentlemen,

Please keep it civilized -- personal attacks will not be tolerated and your posts will be deleted.

Thanks,
Brad

I dunno, Mike.

I think the following are important attributes for working those games: <LI>A resume of Little League volunteering<LI>A willingness to support Little League at all levels<LI>Participation in a Little League umpiring clinic<LI>An understanding employer<LI>Having a good moral character<LI>Basic Umpiring skills

mick

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mick

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike Follett I dunno, Mike. I think the following are important attributes for working those games: <LI>A resume of Little League volunteering<LI>A willingness to support Little League at all levels<LI>Participation in a Little League umpiring clinic<LI>An understanding employer<LI>Having a good moral character<LI>Basic Umpiring skills mick

as far as i know, you hit it right on the head mick. its not about being the absolute best umpire (although that helps to get there), its also about who you are and what you have done for the organization. thats just what i have been told.

You lost me, Mick
 

I'm not sure if I'm following you here.
Are you saying that maybe he wasn't qualified to be there?

If it was strictly based on a resume of LL volunteering and service, I know of many fine umpires who should have been there a long time ago. I also know of some who got there quick because they were memebers of the good old boy club. Nothing new there.
That's not just a LL thing, though..........
If you officiate any sport, for any length of time, you soon enough experience the politics of the sports official.

Re: You lost me, Mick
 

"I think the following are important attributes for working those games:
<LI>A resume of Little League volunteering
<LI>A willingness to support Little League at all levels
<LI>Participation in a <b>Little League umpiring clinic</b>
<LI>An understanding employer
<LI>Having a good moral character
<LI><b>Basic Umpiring skills</b>"

Mike,
Of course, each umpire is "<B>Qualified</B>" !
My opinion (<I>I started with "I think..."</I>) of the qualifications is based upon observation.
mick

"Please keep it civilized -- personal attacks will not be tolerated and your posts will be deleted."

Brad, I really don't have a problem with you censorship responsibilty and the removable of my reply. But how about applying it consistantly across the Board.

The "Check Swing" thread went on for 4 pages and most of that had little to do with the topic. Does the fact that some of your top writers went on to lambaste each other, apply to your formula of selective censorship?

Come on Blue, Be Consistant.

I take a look at the threads and remove inappropriate posts when someone notifies me via email about an offensive post.

I don't have time to peruse the forum all day waiting for someone to act out :)